Introducing her song, “Popular,” on her opening night at the Café Carlyle, Megan Hilty quipped, ““Wicked” is about a beautiful blond who helps others.” Tweaking the theme of the popular Broadway musical, making her Glinda the star, was a glimpse into the humor and charm Hilty brings to her intimate supper club act. At the Café Carlyle, it would be odd to have an evening of musical theater from Megan Hilty without this signature number, this being her fourth time at the Carlyle, she says proudly, “and I’m not pregnant.” She studied opera, she tells us, and learned she loved musical theater. Revealing the demands of the genre for a soprano, she goes low for the tune “Alto’s Lament,” obsessed with the songwriters Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, and warning everyone, this would be a weird, eclectic set.
And it was, as she channeled iconic blonds:
Dolly Parton, for example, who wrote the songs in “9 to 5,” and, in case you ask, “she smells like pixie dust.” She segues to a medley from “Annie Get Your Gun,” and tells us about having met
Stephen Sondheim once, while she was auditioning for “Into the Woods.” She didn’t get the part but sings “Johanna” from his “Sweeney Todd,” and you fully appreciate her chops. As to her “Smash” co-star
Katherine McPhee, now appearing in “Waitress,” she admits to some gentle competition and sings
Sara Bareilles’ “She Used to be Mine.” For “That’s Life,” she’s joined by with her longtime musical director, pianist
Matt Cusson, and introduces her excellent band,
Jack DeBoe on percussion and
Dennis Keefe’s bass. Fun fact about her husband
Brian Gallagher who doubles on guitar, “He toured with ‘Cats.’” Even she did not know.
Saving Marilyn Monroe for last, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” becomes a pretend encore. And speaking of funny blonds, among the first nighters: SNL’s Kate McKinnon.
Regina Weinreich
Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura
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