Jennifer Simard - 'Death Becomes Her' - On The Go - video Dailymotion

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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.

Jennifer Simard - 'Death Becomes Her' - On The Go

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