Death Becomes Her Musical Launched in Cleveland

The hit musical production kicked off its North American tour at Playhouse Square this week.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Comedy

Graphic illustration of a red velvet curtain under a stage spotlight, framed by an ornate arch, evoking the theatrical tradition of Broadway.
The North American tour of the musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her kicked off this week at Cleveland's Playhouse Square, headlining the city's 2026-27 KeyBank Broadway Series. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The musical adaptation of the 1992 film Death Becomes Her began its North American tour at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. This performance also serves as the opening show for the 2026-27 KeyBank Broadway Series.

Why it matters

The production brings a high-profile Broadway title to the local stage as the featured opener for the city's seasonal theater programming. The adaptation builds on the legacy of the original film and recent critical accolades.

The production earned 9 Tony Award nominations and features costume design by Paul Tazewell, who won a Tony Award in 2025. Tickets for the local performances are available in a range between $42 and $150.

The players

Jackie Burns

She is a lead cast member in the touring production of the musical.

Kristen Beth Williams

She serves as a lead performer for the Death Becomes Her North American tour.

Ken Marino

He is a central performer in the current theatrical adaptation of the film.

Paul Tazewell

He is the Tony Award-winning costume designer behind the production.

Playhouse Square

This is a major performing arts center in Cleveland that hosts national touring Broadway productions.

The details

The show, based on the 1992 Robert Zemeckis film, features a cast including Jackie Burns, Kristen Beth Williams, and Ken Marino. Performances are being held at the KeyBank State Theatre.

Timeline

  1. The tour officially opened at Playhouse Square on September 21, 2026.

  2. The show run concludes at the venue on October 3, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This production represents the ongoing trend of adapting classic 1990s cinema into large-scale touring theatrical experiences. It highlights the reliance of major regional arts venues on established film-to-stage intellectual property to anchor seasonal subscription series.

Local theatergoers can purchase tickets ranging from $42 to $150 to attend the show at the KeyBank State Theatre. The production will only be available at this venue through October 3.

The takeaway

The show demonstrates how classic film intellectual property continues to influence modern live theater programming. Attendees should book early to secure seats before the production concludes its brief regional run.

Further reading

For more information on the local performance arts scene, visit Comedy.

More information

To purchase tickets for the show, visit the Playhouse Square ticket portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Morning Journal.

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