Matt Cusson News

Hello magical lovers of the theatre! Oh happy day of dreaming big to you! Last week was yet another glorious well-lived and fun-filled week for us here at Transcendence! 

Transcendence Theatre Company presents Broadway and TV star Megan Hilty as a featured performer in the company's Transcendence Artist Series tonight, July 25 in the Winery Ruins at Jack London State Historic Park.

Transcendence Theatre Company presents Broadway and TV star Megan Hilty as a featured performer in the company's Transcendence Artist Series on Saturday July 25 in the Winery Ruins at Jack London State Historic Park.

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen, Megan Hilty makes her return to Cafe Carlyle in a two-week engagement, May 19-30. Hilty will perform selections from the Great American Songbook as well as fan favorites from NBC's hit musical drama, Smash. Of her previous engagement at the Cafe, Stephen Holden of The New York Times exclaimed, "Ms. Hilty projected the attitude of a frisky, fun-loving gal… she reveled in the pleasure of as big and loud a sound as she could muster." Hilty will be joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

I like Megan Hilty because she laughs a lot. She's fun! A young star of stage and screen-- having established herself as "Glinda" in Wicked on Broadway (2005-06) and subsequently becoming a TV star playing complicated and talented Ivy Lynn in the NBC hit musical drama Smash-Hilty opened her current run at the Cafe Carlyle Tuesday night to an excited, adoring audience. On stage with her band, directed by musical savant Matt Cusson--sporting a jaunty Newsies-style cap--at the keyboard (and including her husband Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion, and Dennis Michael Keefe on upright bass), Hilty's effervescence was palpable, a heady mixture of genuine glee and sleep deprivation, as she effusively exclaimed her delight at being back at the Carlyle, following her last run when she was six-months pregnant. Now she has an eight-month old daughter. While her initial intention was to create a show about motherhood, the show ended up as a night of standards and Smash selections, giving the people what they know and love.

To celebrate the release of his debut solo album ALL THAT'S AHEAD, Brian Gallagher performed an intimate set in Birdland's ongoing Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, April 27. Joined by Megan Hilty, he and his robustly talented band brought music from the album to dazzling life. With exuberance and a down-to-earth, geeky charm, Gallagher truly rocked the packed-to-capacity audience.

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen, Megan Hilty makes her return to Cafe Carlyle in a two-week engagement, May 19-30. In Songs For My Daughter, Hilty will perform the classics that shaped her childhood and which she'll pass on to her recently-born daughter. Of her previous engagement at the Cafe, Stephen Holden of The New York Times exclaimed, 'Ms. Hilty projected the attitude of a frisky, fun-loving gal... she reveled in the pleasure of as big and loud a sound as she could muster.' Hilty will be joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

Simply stunning!Megan Hilty, star of stage and screen, offered a good dose of holiday cheer and some fine vocals to an appreciative Kennedy Center audience this weekend. Combining musical theatre and pop selections she usually does in cabaret format with a few holiday tunes, the varied set offered a little something for everyone and allowed her to showcase her enviable versatility. While it's nearly impossible to pick highlights - because everything was just that good - a few favorite moments emerged.

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen,Megan Hilty makes her Cafe Carlyle debut in a two-week engagement, now through June 7. She performs songs from the television show 'Smash,' in which she starred, as well as selections from American Songbook and jazz standards. Hilty is joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen, Megan Hilty makes her Cafe Carlyle debut in a two-week engagement, today, May 27 through June 7. She will perform songs from the television show 'Smash,' in which she starred, as well as selections from American Songbook and jazz standards. Hilty will be joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen, Megan Hilty makes her Cafe Carlyle debut in a two-week engagement, May 27 through June 7. She will perform songs from the television show 'Smash,' in which she starred, as well as selections from American Songbook and jazz standards. Hilty will be joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

Last night, Monday, April 28th, Bounce Sporting Club, New York's premier upscale sports-meets-nightlife destination, hosted the first official fundraiser for R.A.K.E - a Cleveland based charity founded by Ricky Smith, dedicated to supporting the community in a positive way by encouraging random acts of kindness in strangers.

THE CUTTING ROOM will once again host RYAN SHAW, the two time Grammy nominee and star of MOTOWN The Musical (Stevie Wonder) on Broadway, on Monday evening, April 21 at 8:30pm (doors are at 8). Motown's Brandon Dixon and Epic Recording Artist Morgan James, will join Ryan at the April 21 show.

Broadway's Megan Hilty, star of NBC's SMASH and SEAN SAVES THE WORLD, will perform an intimate solo-concert at the Catalina Bar & Grill in the heart of Hollywood on Friday, November 22 at 8:00pm.

John Capo's fabulous Pop Show is in the business of celebrating the world's most iconic entertainers, and after the success of odes to Adele, Billy Joel and Elton John, Monday's Broadway at Birdland concert was a tribute to the songs of Michael Jackson. Scroll down for a look at the show!

William Blake (Echoes of Etta, The Who's Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show), John Duff (Bayside! The Musical!, Rent), Billboard recording artist and three-time Showtime at the Apollo winner Matt Cusson, Capathia Jenkins (Newsies, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change, Godspell, The Civil War), Leslie McDonel (American Idiot, Hairspray), N'Kenge (Motown The Musical, The Michael Jackson World Tour Tribute), Sondheim on Sondheim), Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (A Time To Kill, Carole, or Change, Radio Golf, The Wild Party, Jelly's Last Jam, Play On!), two-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw(Motown The Musical), A. J. Shively (La Cage Aux Folles, Unlock'd, February House) Rachel Valdati (My Big Gay Italian Wedding) and American Idol Top 10 Finalist Erika Van Pelt will sing songs from the Michael Jackson catalog at The Pop Show Presents…Michael Jackson! on Monday, September 16, 2013 at Birdland Jazz Club.

It was certainly a wonderful time at Port Washington's Landmark On Main Street as Broadway vet and television star Megan Hilty took the stage. The hour long set consisted of songs from the Seattle native's career, some she just felt like singing, and, most importantly, from her wonderful album It Happens All The Time which is available now.

Matt Cusson will play a show at The Garage on June 13 at 7pm.