Betsy Wolfe Will Be Death Becomes Her's Next Madeline Ashton in 2026

Betsy Wolfe Will Be Death Becomes Her’s Next Madeline Ashton in 2026

The casting news comes as Tony-nominated original star Megan Hilty sets a final bow at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Betsy Wolfe
Michaelah Reynolds

Death Becomes Her on Broadway has found its next immortal leading lady. Betsy Wolfe (& Juliet) will succeed Tony-nominated original star Megan Hilty as Madeline Ashton at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre beginning January 16, 2026. Hilty’s final performance is set for January 4. Standby Dee Roscioli and understudies Kaleigh Cronin and Natalie Charle Ellis will switch off on playing Madeline January 6-11.

Hilty, who has been with the musical since 2023, including the pre-Broadway try-out run in Chicago, is the first of the production’s major stars to depart. Wolfe will join continuing cast members Jennifer Simard as Helen Sharp, Christopher Sieber as Ernest Menville, Michelle Williams as Violet Van Horn, Taurean Everett as Chagall, and Josh Lamon as Stefan. The company also includes Marija Abney, Sarita Colón, Kaleigh Cronin, Alexa De Baar, Natalie Charle Ellis, Michael Graceffa, Neil Haskell, Ximone Rose, Bethany Ann Tesarck, Mitch Tobin, Sir Brock Warren, Bud Weber, Ryan Worsing, Warren Yang, Kyle Brown, Kristine Covillo, Alex Hartmanm, Lakota Knuckle, McKinley Knuckle, Johanna Moise, Justin O’Brien, Amy Quanbeck, and Dee Roscioli. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.

The performance will mark Wolfe’s first time back on Broadway since departing & Juliet last year. She created the role of Anne in the Broadway bow of the West End favorite, which opened in 2022 and itself continues at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Wolfe, who was Tony-nominated for her work in & Juliet, has also been seen on the Main Stem in 110 in the Shade, Everyday Rapture, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Bullets Over Broadway, Falsettos, and Waitress.

READ: Broadway’s Death Becomes Her Is Unapologetically for the Gays—And That’s Why It’s a Hit

Death Becomes Her—featuring a book by Marco Pennette, adapted from the screenplay by Martin Donovan and David Koepp; and songs by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey—opened November 21, 2024, and received 10 Tony nominations, including Best Musical. The production won for Best Costume Design for Paul Tazewell. Tony winner Christopher Gattelli directs and choreographs.

The story, adapted from the 1992 film, follows two rivals who gain eternal youth via a magic potion with some dirty side effects.

The production features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Peter Hylenski, hair and wig design by Charles J. LaPointe, makeup design by Joe Dulude II, fight direction by Cha Ramos, music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, music direction by Ben Cohn, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, and dance and incidental music arrangements by Sam Davis. Rachel Sterner is production stage manager.

The film, directed and co-produced by Robert Zemeckis, was noted for its relatively early use of CGI to achieve effects like star Meryl Streep’s head turned completely backwards and a gaping hole going through her co-star Goldie Hawn. This musical version has been kicking around since at least 2017, when Kristin Chenoweth was attached to star, then with a separate creative team.

Universal Theatrical Group—overseen by Jimmy Horowitz and led by Lowe Cunningham—is producing.

Buy tickets to Death Becomes Her on Broadway here.

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Photos: Death Becomes Her on Broadway

Death Becomes Her Broadway Production Photos 2024 Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard HR

Photos: Death Becomes Her on Broadway

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Death Becomes Her Broadway Production Photos 2024 HR

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