Isabella Rossellini and Michelle Williams Share Smiles Backstage at Broadway'sDeath Becomes HerMusical(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Williams and Isabella Rossellini backstage at ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway.Photo:Jenny Anderson

Jenny Anderson

Isabella Rossellinihad a killer night out on Broadway!

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Italian actress paid a visit toDeath Becomes Her, the musical adaptation of Robert Zemeckis' Oscar-winning 1992 dark comedy she starred in oppositeMeryl Streep,Goldie HawnandBruce Willis.

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Isabella Rossellini with Josh Lamon and Jennifer Simard.Jenny Anderson

But the real excitement came when Rossellini finally metMichelle Williams. The Grammy-winning Destiny’s Child singer is playing Viola Van Horn on stage, the character based on Rosselini’s Lisle Von Rhuman in the film.

“They were so cute together,” a source on the scene tells PEOPLE. “Michelle came out all shy and Isabella just embraced her with such warmth and kindness. They both gushed over each other and then everyone sort of let them have a private little moment alone. You could see the conversation meant a lot to both of them.”

Michelle Williams and Isabella Rossellini backstage at Broadway’s ‘Death Becomes Her’ musical.Jenny Anderson

The energy backstage remained up all night. “Everyone there was gagging over Isabella,” says the insider. “She was so sweet and excited to be there, and was game for everything. She took photos with literally everyone. And even grabbed the prop bottle of the youth potion from the show and pretended to drink from it. It was really fun.”

Before they departed, Williams, 45, playfully invited Rosselini to step in for her on the show anytime, the source recalls.

Rosselini just might. After all, she already secretly cameos in the musical, having recorded the pre-show announcementwelcoming theatergoers to the show and reminding them to silence their cellphones.

Isabella Rossellini playfull poses backstage at ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway.Jenny Anderson

Tony Award-winner Christopher Gattelli directs and choreographs the show, which received rave reviews after it opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City back in November. It’s been a box office smash too through the holiday, propelling it into awards season with plenty of buzz.

Isabella Rossellini and Michelle Williams are all smiles with the cast of ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway.Jenny Anderson

Much of that praise falls on the shoulders of the musical’s hilarious cast.

Isabella Rossellini playfully takes a drink backstage at Broadway’s ‘Death Becomes Her’ musical.Jenny Anderson

Williams is a standout too, delivering her first original Broadway role with powerhouse precision.

Speaking with PEOPLE about the role in December, the actress and singer said she studied the movie after she got the role, almost as “an investigator.”

“I knew that I could never be Isabella Rossellini, but I wanted to still capture and respect the integrity of the role [and] still bring me into it,” she said.

Isabella Rossellini and Christopher Sieber smile backstage at ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway.Jenny Anderson

She nailed it, even earning the praise of her former Destiny’s Child bandmatesKelly RowlandandBeyoncéon opening night.

“It was an absolute joy having them there because I know they’re fans of the movie,” Williams said, noting the three trade lines of the movie they know. “Having them there, I felt anchored. We obviously have not been touring together for years, but it took me back to the time when I’d been with them on stage. Even though they weren’t on stage with me, I felt so grounded. It’s giving me some fuel for the rest of my run in the show.”

Tickets toDeath Becomes Herare now on sale.

source: people.com