Marco Pennette. Photo Courtesy of Marco Pennette.
Marco Pennette talks about writing the Broadway musical “Death Becomes Her,” which stars Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and Christopher Sieber.
What inspired you to write “Death Becomes Her?”
I interned for Hal Prince while I was attending NYU. I met up with him again about a year before he passed away. I told him my dream was still to write for Broadway. And he just looked at me and said, “What’re you waiting for?” What was I waiting for? It was the kick I needed.
I got my hands on Universal’s catalogue (the list of the films the studio produced) and when I spotted “Death Becomes Her,” I nearly fell off my chair. It was the perfect film for me to adapt.
It was a comedy, the characters had room for further development, plastic surgery was even more part of the culture and it was so over the top it just had to “sing.”
The fact that it dealt with a magic potion and two divas wanting to kill each other was just the cherry on the “camp” sundae.
What was it like working with the cast Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and Christopher Sieber?
First of all, they are all-stars. These actors get a laugh with the line “Hello.” I knew Chris Sieber for years so I was excited we’d finally get to work together.
I saw Jen Simard in “Disaster” and wrote Helen with her voice in mind and years ago I wrote an episode of “Ugly Betty” in which Betty attended a performance of ‘Wicked’ — And Megan Hilty played Glinda.
I knew enough about their previous work to know how lucky I was to work with them on my first musical.
And it was such a collaborative group. I’d pitch a line, maybe it didn’t “fit” so well in their mouth, I’d alter it, or one of them would suggest a change, we all worked together. And there were no egos, it was all for the good of the show.
“Maybe that line would be better for Jen” or “Maybe it’s funnier if Chris said that instead of me.” I just kept throwing bits at them to see how they made them better.
What did this musical teach you about yourself?
That I should’ve started writing musicals much earlier in my career. And to never drink a potion given to me by a woman in a sequined cape.
How does it feel to be a writer and producer in this digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
As a TV writer, I’ve seen the industry become much more competitive because of all the options viewers have — network, streaming, webisodes – people view content on their phones. Gone are the days of being given time to grow a series, developing the characters, etc.
As a theater writer I was slightly concerned we wouldn’t hold the audiences attention because they’re used to watching 15 second videos.
Luckily the crowds have been sticking with the show, fully engaged. And an upside of the digital revolution was watching a clip of one of our musical numbers, “Tell, Me Ernest” go viral, which built great buzz about the show.
The power of the internet is fascinating. A few years back I took my children to New York and told them to pick a Broadway show they wanted to see.
I was expecting “Six” or “And Juliet” but all three –teenage girls in 2022 — chose “The Phantom of The Opera.” Off my very surprised look they explained they’d seen clips on TikTok and it looked very “cool.”
What do your plans for the future include?
I still love writing for television and am currently developing a rom-com for next season. But I also can’t wait to write another musical. This process brought me such joy.
Congrats on the Emmy nomination and WGA win for “Ugly Betty” – How did that feel?
Come on, you dress up in a tux, go to a big party, they hand you an award and for the next few hours you’re one of the cool kids. How can that feel bad?
I will, however, share my traumatic Emmy story. “Ugly Betty” was nominated for Best Comedy Series. Every newspaper that day predicted we’d win.
So I’m sitting next to my husband at the ceremony – so excited since I’d never won anything! The moment finally came… the host starts to read the nominees in our category. I spit my gum into a wrapper and dropped it into my husbands lap.
I even start to slightly rise from my seat. The host continues. “And the winner is…”The Office!”
I fall back into my chair trying to process what just happened and all I can remember is my husband reaching over and dropping the wad of gum back into my lap. It was a long, silent ride home.
What is your advice to hopefuls who wish to pursue a career in the entertainment industry or theater?
You’re obviously choosing one of the hardest careers to break into. You have to study, pay your dues, blah, blah, blah. All true, but you know that part already. Maybe it helps not to have a Plan B.
That was the case for me. It was either comedy writer or.… I have no idea, selling painted clamshells by the thruway entrance?
But I do think it’s important to remember this: You don’t have to become a star, you don’t have to become famous… you just want to act or write or direct.. and do your best work.
What does the word “success” mean to you?
After my daughters saw “Death Becomes Her,” one told me they didn’t know I was that funny, one told me they were proud of me and one just hugged me. That’s “success.”
What would you like to say to our readers about “Death Becomes Her? “
Go see it – I have three college tuitions to pay for. And take a break from the grimness of the real world and escape to our theater and laugh for the next two hours.
To learn more about Marco Pennette, follow him on Instagram.
For more information on the musical Death Becomes Her,” check out the official homepage.
Read More: “Death Becomes Her” review
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