Megan Hilty recently announced a temporary leave of absence from the Broadway revival of Death Becomes Her. She currently stars as Madeline Ashton, a role famously portrayed by Meryl Streep. This decision comes after her final curtain call for now.
The acclaimed actress is stepping away due to a developing vocal condition. She explained her situation in a June 11 Instagram post. Hilty described Madeline Ashton as the most challenging yet rewarding role she has ever undertaken. Furthermore, she detailed the extensive physical regimen required for the show. This regimen, she noted, is a significant job in itself. Despite the demands, she performs it joyfully, emphasizing her love for her work.
Prioritizing Health Over Performance
Even though the 43-year-old holds a deep affection for the musical, she recognizes the risk of worsening her injury. Therefore, to protect her voice, she made the difficult choice to step away from the character. Her absence is expected to last for three to four weeks.
The Smash singer openly admitted the difficulty of acknowledging her human limitations. She observed that performers often face pressure to push through and pretend they are not vulnerable. Fortunately, Hilty expressed immense gratitude for her colleagues. She works with top-tier producers, company members, and stage managers. They, importantly, do not adhere to that taxing mindset. Instead, they fully support her and fellow cast mates when their bodies signal a need for rest.
A Call for Empathy and Understanding
While her role will be temporarily filled, Megan kindly requested patience and understanding from fans. The show, naturally, must adjust to her absence. She also urged viewers to extend this same grace to other Broadway singers. These performers take on the truly Herculean task of performing live every single night.
Megan thoughtfully compared performers to athletes. Just like a professional basketball player, she explained, they are prone to injuries occasionally. She concluded her message by eagerly anticipating her return, counting the seconds until she can rejoin audiences at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
