What happened to Megan Hilty? Broadway star takes break from play after Tony Awards 2025

Broadway actress Megan Hilty has announced that she will taking a break from the Broadway production of Death Becomes Her. The Tony-nominated actress has revealed that she was suffering from vocal injury.

Announcing her decision to step away from the show for a few weeks, Hilty, who plays Madeline Ashton in the musical, took to Instagram to write:

“I love my job. Madeline Ashton is by far the most challenging and rewarding role I have ever taken on. The lengths to which I have gone to make sure I can physically do the show is a job in itself - the regimen is too long for this post - but I do it joyfully because, as I mentioned before, I LOVE what I do. Which is why it is so painful to say that I will be stepping away from my beloved DBH family for 3-4 weeks while I recover from a vocal injury that only time can heal.”

In her statement, Hilty spoke about the brunt borne by theatrical performers’ vocal chords, and added:

“I kindly ask for your patience and understanding - not just for me, but for all Broadway performers. What we do with our teeny tiny vocal cords is nothing short of a Herculean task - one that most people take for granted and very few actually understand. I encourage you to do the research and see for yourself how your own vocal cords work - it is fascinating and I guarantee it’ll make you all the more impressed the next time you see a live performance.”

Comparing actors’ work to that of athletes, Hilty went on to say:

“We are athletes. And just like a professional basketball player, we are going to get injured from time to time - not because we aren’t good at our jobs, it simply comes with the territory because of the extraordinary demands we put on our bodies.”

Megan Hilty ended her statement by thanking her audience, and noted that the character of Madeline will be filled by brilliant actresses during her absence.

The intensive toll taken by Death Becomes Her on Megan Hilty’s vocal chords

According to Playbill, Death Becomes Her features Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard in the lead roles as two women who gain eternal youth but suffer from side-effects. The 1992 film version of the show, directed by Robert Zemeckis, featured Meryl Streep as Madeline Ashton, and it included CGI effects such as Madeline’s neck turning backwards.

During a conversation with The New York Times, Megan Hilty noted the physical toll that the role takes on her body, and said:

“I was just recently diagnosed with tendinitis in my throat, because of the physical stuff I do with my neck in the show. It pulls on my voice box and I ultimately have to call out of the show if it’s affecting my voice and it’s too painful.”

Hilty, who has been appearing as Madeline in the show since it opened on Novemebr 21, 2024, shared the measures she takes to control the impact on her throat and vocal chords. She noted:

"It’s kind of gross, but every single morning I do a nasal rinse, spray and steam. Then I do a warm-up for my speaking voice, because if I don’t, I can wear my voice out by nighttime…This is also gross, but I go to vocal therapy and she stretches out my tongue and massages inside my mouth and all around my larynx.”

While speaking to The New York Times, the impact that shows have on actors’ physical bodies became clear. Hilty also revealed:

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“I see a physical therapist for the other side of my neck, and my hips and my legs, because I’m running around in heels for two and a half hours. I also see a physical trainer to make sure that I’m staying strong and flexible.”

However, as Megan Hilty herself agrees, all the hard work that goes into preparing for a role is ultimately worth it. During the 2025 Tony Awards, Hilty was nominated in the best actress in a musical category for Death Becomes Her. Hilty also received a nomination during the 2025 Drama League for her role in the musical.

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