Megan Hilty

Megan Hilty

Café Carlyle, NYC, May 3, 2016

Reviewed by Elizabeth Ahlfors for Cabaret Scenes

SMASH Star Megan Hilty At The Alison Brod PR Showroom“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” — what an auspicious opener for Megan Hilty. Not only was she back for the third time at the upscale Café Carlyle, but Hilty was just nominated for a Tony Award as Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Noises Off.  In addition, her latest CD, Megan Hilty Live at the Café Carlyle, dropped that day [as a download; CD to come].

The theme of the show, however, was not Hilty’s booming career, but an homage to the legendary Rosemary Clooney, an unaffected singer who demonstrated what her song was all about without throwing in unnecessary frills. Clooney did record some lightweight novelty tunes in her career (“Come On-a My House”), but Hilty did not include them, an omission that would have pleased Clooney, who had much finer music in her songbook.

Hilty chose some outstanding ballads, showcasing her concentrated phrasing that hits the note right in the center. From White Christmas, “Love, You Didn’t Go Right By Me” by Irving Berlin, evoked a no-nonsense regret that Rosemary brought out so well. Also from White Christmas, Hilty delivered “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep),” a song with special meaning in her own life. Two extraordinary Clooney hits were the nostalgic pairing of “Autumn Leaves” and “When October Goes” (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer and Barry Manilow/Johnny Mercer) and the unembroidered honesty of “Tenderly” (Walter Gross/Jack Lawrence). Hilty’s encore, “I Wish You Love” (a French song by Charles Trenet/Léo Chauliac with English lyrics by Albert A. Beach), was stunning, although the original French lyrics are much more poignant.

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Hilty reminded us that Clooney could swing, delivering a high-octane “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington/Irving Mills. “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Harold Arlen/Mercer) was captivating, although reminiscent of Judy Garland’s arrangement heard at Carnegie Hall.

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The full-throated strength that opened the show returned toward the finale when Hilty pulled out the stops with a selection of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s songs from Smash, culminating with the crowd-pleaser, “They Just Keep Moving the Line.”

Hilty shows an easy camaraderie with her band of talented musicians who never overpower her: Dennis Keefe on bass, Ryan Hoagland on percussion, Hilty’s husband Brian Gallagher on guitar and Musical Director/pianist Matt Cusson. Looking sleek and sophisticated, Megan Hilty brings Hollywood glamour to Madison Avenue, while remaining an engaging multi-talent with a ready giggle and a down-to-earth connection with her audience. She is riding high now, and every show points the way to smashing heights.

Elizabeth Ahlfors

Born and raised in New York, Elizabeth graduated from NYU with a degree in Journalism. She has lived in various cities and countries and now is back in NYC. She has written magazine articles and published three books: A Housewife’s Guide to Women’s Liberation, Twelve American Women, and Heroines of ’76 (for children). A great love was always music and theater—in the audience, not performing. A Philadelphia correspondent for Theatre.com and InTheatre Magazine, she has reviewed theater and cabaret for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia City News. She writes for Cabaret Scenes and other cabaret/theater sites. She is a judge for Nightlife Awards and a voting member of Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle.