Broadway Star Megan Hilty Takes Medical Leave of Absence
Megan Hilty, the star of the Tony-nominated musical "Death Becomes Her," has announced that she will be taking a medical leave of absence from the show. Hilty, who received a Tony nomination for her leading role as Madeline Ashton, shared the news on Instagram, citing vocal cord strain as the reason for her leave.
The Challenges of Performing on Broadway
Hilty’s honest explanation for her absence is a rarity on Broadway, as singers often don’t like to admit to vocal injuries out of fear of damaging their career. As a Broadway veteran who has played roles such as Glinda in "Wicked" and starred in the NBC show "Smash," Hilty is known for her powerful voice and demanding performance schedule. She explained that singing eight shows a week with "teeny tiny vocal cords" is nothing less than a Herculean task.
The Physical Demands of Performing
"We are athletes," Hilty continued. "And just like a professional basketball player, we get injured from time to time – not because we’re not good at our jobs, it just comes with the territory because of the extraordinary demands we place on our bodies." Hilty’s statement highlights the physical and vocal demands of performing on Broadway, where actors and singers are required to perform complex choreography, sing demanding songs, and maintain a high level of energy and endurance.
Support from the Broadway Community
Hilty’s post was met with support from her fans and fellow Broadway performers, including Erika Henningsen, star of Netflix’s "The Four Seasons," and Mary Kate Morrissey, a former Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway. Henningsen wrote, "Yes. Yes. Yes. All of this. And so glad you’re taking the time to heal instead of pushing through and risking those tiny teeny cords." Morrissey added, "Thank you for sharing and normalizing with your audience that our muscles, like other star athletes, can suffer stress injuries."
The Show Must Go On
"Death Becomes Her" opened on Broadway in November 2024 and has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards. The production also stars Jennifer Simard as Helen Sharp, Christopher Sieber as Ernest Menville, and Grammy winner Michelle Williams as Viola Van Horn. The show is currently in an open run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City. While Hilty is on medical leave, the role of Madeline Ashton will be played by standby Dee Roscioli and several understudies.
A Recent Performance to Remember
The announcement of Hilty’s medical leave comes just days after she performed a show-stopping number from "Death Becomes Her" at the Tony Awards 2025. The performance, which included several quick costume changes and conspicuous choreography, was widely praised on social media. Fans and critics alike celebrated Hilty’s talent and dedication to her craft, with many calling for her to win a Tony Award for her performance.
