Today's announcement that Hilty will be La Mome Pistache in a forthcoming reading of CAN-CAN, headed for Broadway next year, is great news for Megan fans - assuming it's planned for her to do the role on Broadway. Never Give Anything Away, C'est Magnifique, Allez-Vous En, I Love Paris ... a Hilty feast!
A revival of Can-Can sounds exciting. sort of like Pippin - one of those older musicals that hasn't been on Broadway in a long time that is really great/good. I like the movie version with Shirley Maclaine.
Would be awesome if Hilty could stay with this to Broadway but I would assume her schedule doesn't allow it ??
I have mixed feelings. Hilty's most noted roles are ones where she's doing an imitation of someone else. In Wicked, she broadened the character already created by Chenoweth (and did it *very* well). In 9 to 5, she was *very* reminiscent of Dolly Parton. Of course, in SMASH, her Marilyn is much more interesting to watch than Ivy (but I blame the writers for that). Most recently she "riffed" on the Marilyn theme by doing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
I know they're revamping the book, but Can-Can's characters and story are very similar to Best Little Whorehouse... (Whorehouse... is basically a Texas version of Can-Can). Hilty will be taking the "madame" role, which kind of puts her back in "Parton" territory as far as career moves.
Is Hilty being too "safe" (maybe "predictable") with her choices? Updated On: 5/7/13 at 03:25 PM
I think they try to re-write these books because today's directos lack vision and style to present a classic (or semi-classic) period piece. And they don't trust the audience either. And we have no choreographers like Michael Kidd. This role would be a stretch for The Hilt, McLaine made it her own in the very re-written movie. No one really remembers the Devine Magical one-named Lilo.
What kind of schedule will prevent her from coming to b'way?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
They will probably raise the keys for her, which Cole would have hated. "Like Merman, Lilo had never had a voice lesson and possesed a gutsy voice, which Cole peferred to a sweet-voiced soprano. She had remarkablly low notes in her range which suited very well her role as Pastiche"
Let's say SMASH in the rare chance does get a 3rd season she'd be be able to manage it I would think. Honestly, if done right this could be the next Pippin, an unexpected hit.
""Like Merman, Lilo had never had a voice lesson and possesed a gutsy voice, which Cole peferred to a sweet-voiced soprano. She had remarkablly low notes in her range which suited very well her role as Pastiche"