Broadway, 'Smash' star Hilty to perform at ALT
Though she's primarily known as a Broadway star, singer Megan Hilty will pull from a wider range of influences for an Amarillo concert Saturday.
Hilty, who starred in NBC's "Smash" and in "9 to 5" and "Wicked" on stage, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday for Amarillo Little Theatre's annual summer fundraiser at the theater's Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle.
"I have a very eclectic taste in music, both in what I listen to and in what I like to sing, and this show definitely reflects that," Hilty said. "The audience won't know what to expect."
Hilty said she'll sing old jazz standards and tunes by Dolly Parton and Bob Dylan, in addition to some show tunes and a couple of songs from her 2013 album, "It Happens All the Time."
That album, too, showed Hilty's desire to find success beyond the Great White Way.
"A lot of people were expecting a musical theater album and, at some point, I'd hope to do one. ... Sony/Columbia approached me because they liked what I was doing on 'Smash,' the pop stuff," Hilty said.
"I wanted to try a different style of singing, and this definitely nailed it," she continued.
"It was challenging in ways that I didn't expect, much more personal than I thought it was going to be. I'm really proud of it even though some people are disappointed it wasn't show tunes.Going her own way is nothing new, though: Hilty originally planned to pursue a career in opera, but found her calling on Broadway instead.
"I still secretly hope to be an opera singer one day, but I just felt the older I got, the more I realized the musical theater lifestyle suits me a little bit better.
"I hope this doesn't sound offensive or anything, but I never wanted to be too precious about my voice, and I didn't want it to rule my life," she said. "I really try desperately not to be one of those people who doesn't talk before their shows or anything like that. I'd much rather live my life and then do my job.
"I have a deep, deep respect and so much admiration for people in that field," she said. "It's not in my nature, I guess."
Hilty got her start on Broadway as a standby for Glinda in "Wicked" shortly after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004, taking on the role full-time in 2005, then touring with it around the country. She also has starred in "9 to 5" on Broadway and "Sean Saves the World" on NBC.
Since the later's cancelation, Hilty said she's trying to figure out her next step - one she hopes includes a return visit to "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," in which she starred in the New York City Center production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" during the run of "Smash."
"I'm dying to do ('Blondes') again," she said. "I'm not done with it."
how to go
o What: Megan Hilty
o When: 8 p.m. Saturday
o Where: Amarillo Little Theatre Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle
o How much: $50 show only, $75 show and gala, $200 to $1,000 for sponsorship levels
o Information: 806-355-9991 or www.amarillolittletheatre.org