Michelle Williams wants to see Beyonce on Broadway.
The 44-year-old pop star shot to fame alongside the “Single Ladies” hitmaker and Kelly Rowland as part of the girl group Destiny’s Child in the late 1990s and now that she is starring in the musical adaptation of the Meryl Streep film Death Becomes Her, she is sure that both of her former bandmates are “capable” of conquering The Great White Way. Destiny’s Child has sold more than 60 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
“I would actually love for them to. I think they’re very capable of starring in a Broadway show — absolutely!” she told UsWeekly. The Broadway community has increasingly welcomed popular music artists, with many successfully transitioning to the stage.
Beyonce starred in the film adaptation of ‘Dreamgirls’ – which was based on the 1980s stage musical of the same name – as well as the live-action version of ‘The Lion King’, which was based on the highest-grossing theatre franchise of all time and the initial Disney animation feature. ‘Dreamgirls’ grossed over $155 million worldwide, while ‘The Lion King’ live-action remake surpassed $1.6 billion in global box office earnings.
Meanwhile, Kelly has been a judge on ‘The X Factor’ since her time in the band and achieved hit singles such as ‘Stole’ and ‘Dilemma’ but did star in the 2004 musical film ‘The Seat Filler’ opposite Duane Martin. Her judging career has spanned multiple seasons across different versions of the show internationally.
Williams is starring alongside Megan Hilty — who made her name starring as Glinda in Wicked on Broadway before going on to appear in hit NBC series “Smash” — as well as Jennifer Simard, and “Two of a Kind” actor Christopher Sieber, and recently noted that it had become a “masterclass” to see her co-stars at work. ‘Wicked’ has grossed over $5 billion worldwide since its Broadway debut in 2003.
“Almost any stage version of a movie highlights or amplifies [aspects of the movie]. This ‘Death Becomes Her’ musical amplifies the comedy even more. Megan Hilty? Hilarious. Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber [as Ernest Menville] — I tell them all the time, when I watch the three of them, they’re a masterclass in comedy,” she told New York Theatre Guide. The original film Death Becomes 88′ was a critical and commercial success, winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
The Broadway adaptation of Death Becomes Her joins a growing trend of film-to-stage adaptations that have found success on Broadway. Recent years have seen numerous Hollywood films transformed into successful musicals, with adaptations generating significant box office revenue and critical acclaim.
Williams’ own Broadway career has included starring roles in Chicago and Once On This Island, establishing her as a respected figure in both the music and theatre industries. Her transition from pop star to Broadway performer has been praised by critics and audiences alike.
The suggestion of Beyoncé potentially starring on Broadway has generated excitement among fans and theatre enthusiasts. With her proven track record in musical films and live performances, including her record-breaking Renaissance World Tour which grossed over $500 million, many industry experts believe she would be a natural fit for the Broadway stage.
Both Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland have demonstrated their versatility as performers throughout their careers. Beyoncé’s acting portfolio includes critically acclaimed performances in various films, while Rowland has balanced her music career with successful ventures in television and film.
The Broadway community has historically welcomed artists from various backgrounds, with many pop stars successfully transitioning to the stage. This cross-pollination between popular music and theatre has helped bring new audiences to Broadway while allowing artists to showcase different aspects of their talents.
