★★★★★ Astonishing vocals with a down to earth spirit reveal a star with her feet firmly planted on the ground.

Hamer Hall, Melbourne
June 8, 2016

“Star quality” is a trait that’s tricky to define, but if Broadway leading lady Megan Hilty proved anything at her Australian debut yesterday evening, it’s that it has nothing to do with being a diva. Humble, grateful, unguarded and irresistibly charming, Hilty is an entertainer who takes nothing for granted and yet is so effortlessly stellar, in both voice and charisma, that she left this bowled-over critic (and the rest of her sold-out audience) screaming for more.

It may be her first time Down Under, but she is no stranger to Aussie music lovers. A successful recording artist, boasting a glowing Broadway ré​sumé and a lead role in the hit TV show Smash (a musical biopic of the life of Marilyn Monroe), Hilty already has an army of devotees in Australia, who I can assure you were not remotely shy about expressing their adoration at any and every opportunity during the performance. Nonetheless, such is Hilty’s endearing modesty that she prepared a beginner’s guide to herself via a whistlestop tour of her career, from her first tentative steps into the musical theatre world to her latest album.

First and foremost, Hilty has an exceptional voice, but this programme really showcased the staggering versatility of her instrument. From smokey, sultry jazz standards like Bye Bye Baby and Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, to kooky character roles such as Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors (Hilty’s husband and guitarist in her band, Brian Gallagher, offering a Bon Jovi style Seymour for a duet) and Glinda from Wicked, Hilty’s vocal shapeshifting is mindbendingly impressive. Superbly supported by her band, led by music director Matt Cusson, this four piece ensemble brought glorious punch to the big musical theatre hits and restrained, reverent intimacy to the programme’s more poignant songs.

Hilty’s gifts extend far beyond just musical kudos. As an actress and communicator she is masterful, nimbly leaping from daffy comedy to sensual allure to touching sentimentality without the slightest qualm. It may be one of the oldest cliches in the book, but she genuinely brought me from laughter to tears. For me, her most striking ability is the sincerity she achieves in her performance despite its constantly shifting personality, and this is, without question, rooted in her deep, heartfelt love for this music. There is no pretension or subterfuge here; she is entirely, authentically herself.

Equally noteworthy is Hilty’s work ethic. She is a self made star, who has tirelessly grafted to earn her place among the great chanteuses of her generation. With the affable ease of a gossip with a close friend, Hilty’s anecdotes recounting her extraordinary career revealed a dogged determination to succeed paired with a generosity of spirit and open hearted gratitude that is clearly important to her to this day. Aged just 35, she may now have risen to stardom, but her feet remain firmly planted on the ground. After her four night back-to-back Australian tour she heads directly to New York, performing at the Tony Awards just two hours after touchdown. Despite this gruelling schedule, it speaks volumes about her respect and appreciation for her fans that she took the time to sign autographs for hundreds of elated audience members after last night’s performance.


Megan Hilty tours Australia until June 12.

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