The Fame Reporter interviewed the one and only Tony Award® Nominee, Broadway sensation, Megan Hilty! Following her sold-out concert Australian tour in 2016, Megan Hilty will return to Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC’s) Concert Hall, Brisbane on Thursday 20 June 2019.
Megan is best known for her starring role as triple threat Ivy Lynn in the hit NBC television series SMASH and for her leading roles in Broadway musicals Wicked (as Glinda the Good Witch), 9 to 5: The Musical and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
For one night only, Megan will light up QPAC’s Concert Hall stage, accompanied by the acclaimed Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, as she sings show-stopping hits from The Great American Songbook, her iconic roles in Wicked, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Smash and other popular musical theatre songs.
For her most recent role on Broadway as Brooke Aston in Noises Off, Megan was nominated for a 2016 Tony Award® for Outstanding Feature Actress in a Play as well as Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations.
The acclaimed star has released three albums; It Happens All the Time, Megan Hilty Live at the Café Carlyle and A Merry Little Christmas, has appeared on many television shows including: Girlfriends Guide to Divorce, The Good Wife, Difficult People and Louie and provided the singing voice for “Snow White” in Shrek the Third. Additionally, Megan’s voice can be heard on many animated shows. Later this year she will star as Patsy Cline in Patsy & Loretta premiering on U.S. pay television channel ‘Lifetime’.
Megan brings her powerful vocals back to QPAC’s Concert Hall stage with a 40-piece orchestra for one night only on 20 June 2019. Don’t miss experiencing this true Broadway star.
The bubbly, talented performer talked to us about her exciting return concert tour in Australia, what audiences can expect from her new show, her new ‘Lifetime’ film ‘Patsy and Loretta’ and more.
See our insightful interview below!
Welcome to The Fame Reporter Megan, what was it that sparked your interest in performing initially?
Well, I always wanted to be a singer. I had a real desire to be an opera singer, I studied classically. Then I started getting into musical theatre and that really became my passion and everything that I didn’t know that I wanted to do! That’s the Cliff Notes version, I mean I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be in the arts world.
Can you tell us what audiences can expect from your new concert tour in Australia?
Oh boy! Well, Australian audiences can expect a lot of my favourite songs. In particular, tunes from musical theatre, some American Standards and of course some songs from the TV show I was in, SMASH!
It showcases a little bit of everything from my career and songs that all different audience members can connect to.
What is your favourite role you have ever played and why?
I think Ivy Lynn in the show SMASH. Only because it’s kind of the only role I have ever played that no one has done before. It is a role that nobody has made original or iconic even.
I love that Ivy is the only character I have portrayed that is really mine and that’s very special to me!
What can you tell us about the new ‘Lifetime’ Original movie ‘Patsy and Loretta’, playing country music legend, Patsy Cline and starring alongside Broadway star Jessie Mueller, as Loretta Lynn?
Oh my goodness. I am very excited about this film. We finished filming a couple of weeks ago. It was a dream, the script was so great, the music is incredible and every single person involved in that new movie was amazing. It was one of those dream projects that you didn’t want to end. My co-star in this movie, Jessie Mueller is so incredibly talented and it was a joy to do this film with her.
Image by Lifetime via Entertainment Weekly
This might sound very strange but a lot of actor’s including myself, find it very hard to watch ourselves on screen, because you just pick apart everything, nothing is ever going to be good enough or look right or anything. But this film I’m actually really, really, really excited to see!
How do you incorporate your past stage roles into your live concerts?
Everything from my life and career is incorporated into my concerts. In my view these concerts are to give people a glimpse of who I am outside the characters that I play.
Every song that I sing is tied to me and a moment in my life in a very personal way.
Who or what inspires you?
Oh my gosh, several people. Bernadette Peters [who played Ivy Lynn’s mother in SMASH] has always been a huge inspiration, on stage and off stage. As well as Dolly Parton and last but not least Brian Stokes Mitchell. He is an incredible performer and person. Those are the three big ones that have made an impact on my career and me personally.
What do you love about performing in Australia that made you want to return?
Oh my goodness. First of all the audiences are incredible! The last time we were in Australia we were blown away by how respectful the audiences were. I think I saw one phone being used the entire time we were in your beautiful country. People were listening, laughing and applauding in all of the right places. I just didn’t want to leave.
I mean, it is a performers dream to get to perform everywhere in Australia. When I got the call that we were going to come back, first of all I didn’t think it would be so soon.
I am thanking my lucky stars that I do get to return. I can’t wait! I’m so thrilled to be coming back!
Thank-you Megan for joining us at The Fame Reporter and we wish you all the best for your upcoming Australian Tour!
Don’t miss Megan Hilty performing showstopping numbers from iconic beasts like Wicked and SMASH in addition to classic tunes from The Great American Songbook this June!
Tour Dates
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Sydney
Monday 17 June, 7:30pm
Sydney Opera House
Tickets here
Brisbane
Thursday 20 June, 8pm
Concert Hall, QPAC
Tickets here
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