As many of you know, I have recently attended an amazing Megan Hilty concert in Port Washington. For the whole overview of the experience go here. This post is twelve new things I learned about Megan. These are new to me, maybe not to you, but I thought they were interesting.
11 Things About Megan Hilty You Probably Didn't Know
1. She auditioned for Smash with the song Bye Bye Baby
Yup, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was a favorite show of hers before she starred in it. She sang the song when she auditioned for Ivy Lynn on NBC's Smash.
2. She has this habit of flicking her leg back
I've never noticed this before, maybe you have. She does this motion where her leg goes up behind her almost like the motion of a butt kick exercise. It's an adorable little characteristic that probably started as a nervous habit and will forever be a trademark for her at this little theatre.
3. Her favorite Smash song is Second Hand
So this one you could've guessed, but I've never actually heard her admit to it. Whether you knew that or not, I'm sure you knew she's the only one that can sing that song flawlessly while packing it with emotion. The song was first played for Megan by the composers who wanted her input on this new song that was not intended for her character. When she got the script featuring her voice on it, she was ecstatic and surprised.
4. Everyone calls her Meg
When Matt Cusson left his piano to pick a stray hair off of Megan's arm, he called her Meg. When Brian was talking about singing Suddenly Seymour, he referred to Megan as Meg. When I was talking to her after, her entourager said, "Oh, Meg, I gotta take a picture of you with that's case!" And final proof, she signed my case Meg Hilty. It makes sense that she'd have a nickname, and I really loved hearing all of her friends use it.
5. Always played the mom or prostitute
She explained that following her operatic roots, she assumed she'd get leads because of her classical training and large range. Up until Broadway, though, she was repeatedly cast as the mom or the prostitute. Or she was forced to sing the alto part, more on that one in the previous post.
6. Her album was intended to be rearranged songs that everyone knew
Maybe you've heard this somewhere, but I'd always read that the original idea for the album was covers of movie themes. Either way, I'm so glad the record label kept sending originals because that's how we got our favorite It Happens All The Time songs like No Cure and Be A Man.
7. She thought Summer Lovin' was the most sung duet
Megan's boyfriend, Brian Gallagher, joined Meg on stage to play his guitar and sing Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors. During his explanation that he'd rearranged the song, he said he initially said no to the duet because it's the most over done romantic duet of all time. Megan rattled back teasing, "Really? I thought that was Summer Lovin'." their little exchange was unscripted and an adorable peek into their relaxed relationship.
8. Her other favorite song is Diamonds
In addition to saying that she loved Bye Bye Baby from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Megan revealed that she has been singing Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend ever since she played Loralei last summer. Safe to assume that she pretty much can't refuse a show with a deceptive blonde.
9. She plays with her hair...a LOT
This was one of the most fun things to observe as it just made her so dang human! Whenever she'd forget what she was saying or wait for someone to come on stage, she'd run her finger through her golden locks. This is another little habit that you rarely see unless it's in a candid environment such as this intimate setting.
10. Matt Cusson's name is not how it looks
When Megan introduced her piano playing, soul singing friend Matt Cusson to the audience, I thought I was the only one in that audience who would know his name. But I didn't even know his name, or at least not the way Megan pronounced it. I'd always said it how it looks CUSS-in. But according to Megan, it is actually CUE-sun. I was waaaay off on that one.
11. Brian is NOT into hokiness
He was so not into singing a romantic duet, especially the one that's the most over done, like EVER. He mad it pretty clear that he was only doing Suddenly Seymour because Megan wanted it and that he'd rearranged it as much as possible. They never kissed in front of anyone, either, despite ample opportunity. They appear to be a low-key, what you see is what you get kind of couple. Or in other words, just as darn perfect for each other as you can get. (I know, that was hokey, right?)
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