EDGE Interview: Megan Hilty – Stardom Becomes Her

It was in 2012 that Megan Hilty had her breakout role. It came in the NBC television series "Smash," an ambitious attempt to tell the backstage story of a Broadway musical being produced with original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the creative team behind "Hairspray". On the show she played opposite Katharine McPhee as two actresses vying for the role of Marilyn Monroe in a musical bio called "Bombshell." Though the show only lasted two seasons, its fans were legion, so much so that it there was a 2015 concert performance on Broadway of "Bombshell" that led to discussion of it being produced as a stand-along musical. That project fell through, but more recently a cadre of producers, including Steven Spielberg, Shaiman and Hilty, are developing a musical based on "Smash" which had a reading in 2012 that featured Hilty.

Prior to "Smash," Hilty understudied Kristin Chenoweth in the first company of "Wicked," going on to play the role of Galinda on Broadway, the road, and a stand-alone Los Angeles engagement. She received accolades for playing Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton's character) in the musical adaptation of "9 to 5," which played Broadway in 2008. She played an iconic Monroe role in an Encores production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" in 2012, then in 2015 returned to Broadway in a revival of "Noises Off," for which she was nominated for a Tony Award.

But what is her biggest role to date is her current one in the musical adaptation of Robert Zemeckis's classic film (and queer cult comedy) "Death Becomes Her," which opened on Broadway this week. It is already something of a smash with tickets on sell through next August. No doubt the generally strong reviews will only add to the demand for tickets, especially as long as Hilty and co-star Jennifer Simard star in the roles Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn played onscreen. The surreal comedy pits two aging Hollywood actresses against each other as they each learn of a formula that can gain them eternal youth. There are, in turns out, some problems, which result in often riotous battle between the two in the second act. On screen it was filled with so many CGI effects that the big question is how were they going to be duplicated on stage. With much success, it turns out, as the reviews attest. Hilty even received roses from Streep on opening night.

Hilty plays the Streep role, Madeline Ashford, who first appears in a self-aggrandizing musical-within-the-musical called "Me! Me! Me!" that is so funny, observes Jesse Green in the New York Times, "that half the lyrics get lost in the laughs." While having mixed feelings about the show, Green has nothing but praise for Hilty and Simard. "Though best known for her vocal chops – fully exploited here in glossy songs by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey – Hilty is an inventive and beguiling comedian, putting a warm spin on even the meanest zingers." And he offers one example: "When Simard's Helen Sharp tells Madeline she's stunning, the diva responds, with evident delight, 'Well, thanks to my hair, makeup and neck team." She also credits 'that tapeworm diet.'" He also calls Simard "brilliant," and ends his review with "But the chance to see two theatrical masterminds go at it for a few hours is sufficient justification for the effort. I wouldn't be surprised if, in its next incarnation, the Lunt-Fontanne Theater (where the show is running) became the Hilty-Simard."

EDGE spoke to Hilty about her role:
Introduction by Robert Nesti.

EDGE: What was your first exposure to "Death Becomes Her?"

Megan Hilty: I think it must have been when I was a kid. I saw it so long ago, and it became one of my absolute favorite movies, and it still is today.

EDGE: Are there challenges of playing a character from a film that has a cult following?

Megan Hilty: And has been played by the greatest actress of all time. No big deal, right? If you look at it that way, it can be extremely daunting. Fortunately, most of my career has been spent playing characters that others have already made iconic. I've come to terms with finding that balance of paying homage to what has been so expertly done before me and then filling the rest with what I can bring to the role. I'm not Meryl Streep. Oh my God, who do I think I am playing the role that she created? I'm also not playing Meryl Streep. I'm playing Madeline Ashton. In doing this, I know that there is a very high bar set. So, I try to go for an essence of what's been done before because I am not a mimic, and I should not try. There are several thoughts where I'm shooting for the essence at least, and then the rest is just me.

EDGE: Did you look at Meryl Streep's portrayal of Madeline for some inspiration?

Megan Hilty: Oh, of course. I'd be a fool not to because, honestly, this film is so iconic. There will be a lot of people coming in with certain expectations. And while, like I said, I'm not doing her performance, I hope that I'm capturing somewhat of the essence that she played.

EDGE: What makes the musical different from the movie?

Megan Hilty: Well, I think what Marco Pennett has done with this script is genius. He could have very easily taken the film script, plopped it on stage, and made a few tweaks here and there, but he didn't. He and the whole creative team have made it its own thing. People who have seen and loved the movie will be delighted by what's been done with it, and the Easter egg finds are amazing. But also, if you haven't seen the film, you will be delighted. It's an excellent story, and the music is so great. Julia Mattison and Noel Carey are about to be too famous to speak to me anymore. What they have done with this music is not only smart and hilarious but also a little naughty. The music nails the tone that the movie sets so brilliantly.