Meryl Streep Cheers Megan Hilty’s Broadway Debut

Meryl Streep is passing the baton—and her signature wit—to Megan Hilty, star of the Broadway adaptation of Death Becomes Her.

Ahead of the show’s debut on Thursday, November 21, Hilty, 43, shared a heartfelt yet hilarious gift from Streep on Instagram: a lavish bouquet accompanied by a cheeky note inspired by Streep’s iconic character, Madeline Ashton.

“Break a leg, or I’ll break it for you,” wrote Streep, 75. She signed off with, “With dried and undying love and respect, Meryl.”

The gesture left Hilty thrilled, as she captioned the post with, “I’m DEAD,” delighting fans awaiting the highly anticipated musical.

The Broadway production offers a fresh take on the 1992 dark comedy classic, which tells the story of Madeline and Helen, two lifelong rivals who unlock the secrets of eternal youth—at a steep price.

With the tagline, “Life’s a b**h and then you die. Or not!”* the stage adaptation promises to honor the film’s campy charm while reimagining it for the theater.

Hilty, a Tony nominee best known for Noises Off and NBC’s Smash, has fully embraced her connection to Streep’s legendary career.

In a playful nod, her Playbill bio humorously lists Streep’s accolades, as if they were her own, before briefly mentioning her own achievements. Fans have praised the clever homage.

In a past interview with People, Hilty joked that receiving any acknowledgment from Streep would leave her “on the floor.”

Now, with Streep’s words of encouragement, the moment feels like a fitting start to Hilty’s turn as the immortal—and unforgettable—Madeline Ashton.