Fresh off the “Noises Off” Broadway revival, Megan Hilty is gearing up for a series of guest appearances on “The Good Wife” before heading on a summer tour of performances in the U.S. and Australia. The 35-year-old actress is known for her starring roles as cutthroat starlet Ivy Lynn in NBC’s ill-fated but ambitious “Smash,” as well as Broadway engagements as Glinda in “Wicked” and Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5.” Her live shows will dabble in what we know her for, and other artists that she admires — Rosemary Clooney plays a big role in herCafé Carlyleact. Hilty chats with us from the Carlyle where she’s wrapped up a “related” photoshoot about her binge watching habits, made-for-TV musicals and her upcoming appearance on prime time. Everyone is talking about that photo Matthew Morrison posted about your appearance on “The Good Wife.” Can you tell us anything about your involvement? RELATED:Megan Hilty to join Boston Pops for Gatsby-esque extravaganza Are you a “Good Wife” fan? You kind of have to binge watch it, I think. Are you a TV binger?
Well I’m going to be in more episodes than I thought I was going to be. They were even secretive with me, but I’m in it up until the end. I shoot my final scene later this week and it’s the loveliest set I’ve ever been on. Everyone is happy and lovely and I’m so impressed.
I have to be honest, I haven’t seen it yet. But apparently I’m one of the very few because everyone tells me how great it is.
I am! Right now I’m watching “Baskets” on FX. It’s perfect.
Matthew Morrison captioned his photo as “GLEE VS. SMASH on @thegoodwife_cbs” — but who would win in a sing-off? How do you feel about musicals that are being made for live TV? Would you ever do one? You’re performing for both an 10,000-ticket venue at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA, but then more intimate spaces like theCafé Carlylein New York and Art House in Provincetown, MA. How do you differentiate your sets and how you prepare? If you go:
New York Boston
I’m not quite sure. I would give the pop stuff to them and the Broadway pieces to us, but it’d be very close.
Oh my gosh, absolutely! I’m so glad that it’s actually a trend and that musical theater is cool again. I mean, it’s always been cool, but now it’s more mainstream thanks to these incredible programs. They just keep getting better and better.
Those are completely different programs, like with the Boston Pops [at the Crane Estate], that will be more grand to fill that great lawn and utilize all of those musicians. Then show at theCafé Carlyle, I wanted to do a Rosemary Clooney show. I’ll add a couple of things that I’ve done myself in there, but it’s mostly a celebration of her life and her music.
May 3 to 14
Café Carlyle
35 E 76th St
rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york
Philadelphia
May 17 at 8 p.m.
Kimmel Center
300 S Broad St.
kimmelcenter.org
August 6 at 8 p.m.
Crane Estate
290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich
trustees.org