DEATH BECOMES HER To Close on Broadway June 28, 2026 — Page 5

Starring with Marino, Burns, Williams and Thomas in the tour’s first year cast are Louis A. Williams Jr. as Chagall, Michael Buchanan as Stefan and Gail Bennett as the standby for both Madeline and Helen. The ensemble includes Calvin Cooper, Nick Cortazzo, Tiki Hopson, Karma Jenkins, Tyler Jimenez, Caroline Kane, Bryn Purvis, Jordan Vasquez and Candace Janin Washington, with Ian Liberto, McKinley Knuckle, Alicia Albright and Savannah Cooper serving as swings.

20 cast in total.

I like Jackie a lot. Excited to see her take on the role.

Ken Marino as Ernest is 10/10 casting.

ColorTheHours048 said: "Starring with Marino, Burns, Williams and Thomas in the tour’s first year cast are Louis A. Williams Jr. as Chagall, Michael Buchanan as Stefan and Gail Bennett as the standby for both Madeline and Helen. The ensemble includes Calvin Cooper, Nick Cortazzo, Tiki Hopson, Karma Jenkins, Tyler Jimenez, Caroline Kane, Bryn Purvis, Jordan Vasquez and Candace Janin Washington, with Ian Liberto, McKinley Knuckle, Alicia Albright and Savannah Cooper serving as swings.

20 cast in total."

They cut 5 ensemble tracks… just incredibly disappointing

TellZ said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Tour cast to be announced July 15, 2026

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Holy AI faces. These look like Sardi's caricatures — and that's not a compliment."

Not AI, it's by artist Mark Stutzman, who did the 1999 Annie Get Your Gun art among others.

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Now that the cast is announced... these are actually great caricatures of the two leads.

BrodyFosse123 said: "CukorLover said: "Well, that casting is certainly a choice."

When asked on Instagram, Stephanie J Block said she was approached. 😎"

I’m sure that was an easy decline after her experience touring (with child) during ITW. She was vocal on how challenging it was logistically and financially.

It's a shame they cut 5 ensemble tracks.

With all due respect to Kristen Beth Williams (who I’m sure is extremely talented), I’m surprised they couldn’t get someone with a little bit of Broadway name recognition for Helen, which is one of the meatiest female musical comedy roles of the 21st century so far.

Hearing the SJB thing though I’m betting they approached several “names” and got turned down. Simard was also so acclaimed in the role that perhaps some ladies didn’t want to go through the rigor of touring only to have people say, “She’s was fine, but Jennifer Simard was better in the slime tutorial I watched.

I am surprised the producers even asked Stephanie J. Block, as she would be too expensive and the Death Becomes Her will be a lot more grueling than the Into the Woods tour.

It’s quite rare for big names to go on national tours. I can only think of a few I have seen over the years.

If I was producing this tour, I would want good comic performers who can handle the physical strain of the role. I wouldn’t spend the budget on big names, because most potential theatergoers won’t be affected by that. Many folks are season subscribers and will go anyway. Others will be interested in the show itself.

I never saw the musical on Broadway and, unless the reviews are dismal, I will check it out with rush tickets.

I dunno…I live in “the regions” now, and don’t get a subscription to the local touring house - I pick and choose. Having seen the “slime tutorial” of the brilliant and Simard, I’m not sure I want to pay almost $200 per ticket to see it live. The cast makes a difference to me, and does to other theater nerds too, but I suppose we are in the minority somewhat and most people won’t even look at the cast list 🤷

I saw Jackie Burns as Mrs. Lovett in the Hartford Stage production of Sweeney in June -- she was fantastic. Had the voice and the comedic chops -- I'm excited to she her when she swings through Durham.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ken Marino: