Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Hey, I'm Scott Shulstone.
00:01I am joined by the lovely and talented Jennifer Smart
00:04of the hit Broadway musical Death Becomes Her,
00:07currently on Broadway.
00:08Jennifer, thank you for being here today.
00:10Thank you, Scott, and thank you, Liam,
00:12who's behind the camera.
00:13Thank you so much.
00:19So I saw the show.
00:21I loved it.
00:22Everyone loved it.
00:23Tell me, what has been your favorite part
00:24about playing Helen?
00:25I love the arc and journey that Helen has
00:29because it's like playing seven different characters
00:32in one woman.
00:34You know, she goes through so much
00:35and it's been a challenge.
00:37It's very difficult to do.
00:38And I love to try to rise to the occasion every night
00:41to try to make each facet of her honest,
00:43yet funny broad strokes when you need it,
00:46then fine brush strokes when you need it.
00:47And I like that it mirrors every single role
00:50I've ever done, essentially.
00:51So it feels like coming home.
00:52One of the things I really appreciate about the show
00:55was the relationship between Helen and Madeline.
00:57I mean, frenemies, but really,
00:59it's ultimately a love story at the end
01:01between the two.
01:02Thank you for recognizing that it really is
01:04a love story about these two women
01:05because that's very rare that you see that.
01:08Sometimes we'll comment backstage
01:10on the fact that we get to be the buddy flick,
01:12so to speak, that is typically given to men.
01:15And here we are charged with being this comedic duo.
01:18And I hope the audience feels our genuine chemistry
01:21and love for one another on stage
01:22because it is genuine.
01:24And we prioritize...
01:24Oh, we feel it.
01:25Oh, good, because we prioritize that
01:27and we take great care of one another.
01:30We listen.
01:31We're there for the other person.
01:32And I think that that's what these two characters do
01:35by the end of the show.
01:36And I'm glad that you got that.
01:38Another thing I got was that
01:41you and Christopher Sieber
01:43are working together again.
01:44You guys work together in company.
01:46That's right.
01:46He's in my contract.
01:48Get Sieber.
01:49He's in my contract.
01:49I was about to say, you know,
01:51first off, your comedic chemistry,
01:53you know, I saw it in company
01:54and I saw it here in Death Becomes Her
01:56is undeniable.
01:57So I want to know what it's like
01:58working with him as a scene partner,
02:00but also how did you two end up
02:02in the same show together?
02:03Is it purely coincidence
02:03or did you talk about it?
02:05So I've known Christopher Sieber
02:06for about 30 years.
02:08We've done a bunch of industry readings together.
02:11We did Shrek the musical together.
02:12And then, yes,
02:13we played husband and wife in company
02:14when I was blonde.
02:16Now I'm a redhead.
02:17And it was one of the readings of this show
02:20that they were looking to cast someone.
02:24And I did think of my friend Christopher,
02:26but also the writer Marco Panette
02:28thought of Christopher sort of at the same time.
02:30And he did one reading
02:31and he basically made himself irreplaceable
02:34from that, you know.
02:35And we anticipate a long partnership together,
02:38you know, as one of each other's
02:42comedic partners.
02:43I love that.
02:44I can't wait to see what you guys do next.
02:46I can't either.
02:47It'll be interesting.
02:48Right.
02:48So another interesting thing is Goldie Hawn,
02:52who played Helen in the 1992 Robert Zemeckis film,
02:55came and saw the show.
02:57What was that like?
02:58I mean, and also knowing
02:59that she's in the audience.
03:00Yeah.
03:01You would think I would have been nervous,
03:02but I wasn't.
03:03I was filled with joy.
03:05I have been such a fan for so long
03:07and not just of Death Becomes Her,
03:09although of course a huge fan of her
03:11and the blueprint,
03:12let's be clear,
03:12that she created.
03:13I have the honor of stepping into her shoes,
03:15which is nearly impossible.
03:17And I have to try to make it my own
03:18because there is only one Goldie Hawn
03:20and there only ever will be.
03:22How do you keep it interesting?
03:23I mean,
03:23how do you keep yourself
03:25from getting bored in the role?
03:26This show could never bore me
03:28and I've always find it interesting.
03:30The real challenge, of course,
03:31is we're human beings
03:32and you have to be an athlete
03:34to do eight shows a week.
03:36And I'll speak for myself,
03:37this role of Helen is such a huge lift.
03:39The range is really hard
03:42and she has to belt really, really high
03:43and hydration is number one
03:45and sleep.
03:46And those two things
03:47are the most important things
03:49so that I can rise to that challenge
03:51and entertain an audience every night.
03:53And it is my greatest joy
03:54and my greatest sadness
03:56if and when I have to miss
03:57because it's always my goal to be there.
03:59I just love it.
04:00And then finally,
04:01since we're talking about movies
04:02that have now been made
04:03into Broadway musicals,
04:04what is one other movie
04:05that she would love to see on Broadway?
04:08I have to say Drop Dead Gorgeous.
04:09I, yes.
04:10Because so many people have said
04:12that would be great
04:13and they've cast me
04:14in the Kirstie Alley role.
04:16I would love that.
04:17Oh my God.
04:17Robin Herter.
04:17Robin Herter did some reel years ago
04:20where she wants to be
04:21the Ellen Barkin role.
04:22She wants me in the Kirstie Alley role.
04:23I'm like, sign me up.
04:25I'm there.
04:26So anyone who's going to bring
04:27Drop Dead Gorgeous
04:28well in the future
04:29because I'm so happy here
04:30at Death Becomes Her.
04:31But to answer your question,
04:32I think that would make
04:33a great musical.
04:34Wow.
04:34And I will be first in line
04:35to see that one.
04:36Amazing.
04:37Well, Jennifer,
04:38I really appreciate your time so much.
04:40Thank you, Scott.
04:40If you haven't yet
04:41and you're in New York,
04:42make sure you go see
04:43Death Becomes Her on Broadway.
04:45And for On The Go With Deadline,
04:46I'm Scott Schulstone.