(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Seattle Men's Chorus (W/ Special Guest, Megan Hilty) 'Totally WICKED' was 'Totally FUN'

Jeffery Erickson (NOT Glinda)          /Pai

by MK Scott

Stephen Schwartz is an American Composer who gave us 3 very different Broadway classics as well as a Lyricist for a few Disney Classics. WICKED is his greatest achievement and was the center of last weekend for Seattle Men's chorus's Totally Wicked at Seattle's McCaw Hall.

Seattle bred and Broadway star, Megan Hilty (Smash, Sean Saves the World) returned after appearing in the Holiday Glee Concert in 2010.

The second act was FUN and had one exciting number after another. The first Act not so much. One reason could be that it focused too much on Schwartz' shows that he did after PIPPIN and Before WICKED. Have you heard of his 1986 show, Children of Eden or his 1989 show, The Baker's Wife or 1974's The Magic Show? I didn't think so.

The Best part of that section was Hilty coming out and belting, Stranger to the Rain (From EDEN) and the most disappointing was the famed, Diverse Harmony performing, Lion Tamer (From MAGIC Show) off key.

Captain Smartypants        /Pai

Then came Schwartz at the movies with songs from forgettable songs from ENCHANTED and PRINCE of EGYPT and some too short versions of Colors of the Wind and River bend (From POCAHONTAS).

It was when Megan Hilty came Out singing Popular (from WICKED) the audience was wowed. Interesting that, Popular was the most 'Popular' song in Act ONE.

In Act TWO, it was a Tour de Force with the Women's Chorus singing 2 classics from WICKED (One Short Day, What is this feeing?). Then 3 Chorus men came out and did a Bob Fosse inspired dance, Glory (from PIPPIN).

The Trio made Fosse Proud!          /Pai

Will Halsey, Geoff Reinman, and Nathan Wilson was the Trio of Dancers, and a larger Dance Group of Chorus members wowed the audience with their moves for several of the numbers.

The PIPPIN Medley also included, the Classic, Magic will do and Morning Glow but it was Hilty who sang, Corner of the Sky that became the highlight.

Then came the GODSPELL with Prepare Ye, Day by Day and All Good Gifts. All the the Best was performed by Captain Smartypants.

Then came a few more songs from WICKED (No One Mourns and For Good performed by Hilty) and there was Testament.

In 2012, Schwartz wrote, Testament, a song inspired by the It Gets Better Project. 2 soloists joined 2 Soloists fro Diverse Harmony and afterward there was not a dry eye in the house!

The Big finale was Megan Hilty singing, Beautiful City (GODSPELL) and being presented a cake in honor of her 33rd Birthday and announcing she is expecting!

Hilty Caught Backstage   /FB

The WICKED appeared during last 2 min!      /Pai!



 

Of Course, the Encore had to be 'Defying Gravity' and a Wicked Witch flying high above a little of confetti. After a Ho Hum, first Act, the second was TOTALLY FUN!