Interviews

As Noises Off Starts Rehearsals, Megan Hilty Talks Her Exciting Return to Broadway

See Hilty with costars Andrea Martin, Jeremy Shamos, and more in the show’s dynamic new publicity photo.

Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming Broadway revival of Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off starts rehearsals today under the leadership of Tony-nominated director Jeremy Herrin (Wolf Hall). Any theater fan would love to be a fly on the wall in that rehearsal room, with a cast that includes Tony and Emmy Award winner Andrea Martin (Act One), Tony nominee Jeremy Shamos (The Assembled Parties), and Broadway favorite Megan Hilty (9 to 5). Unfortunately the public won't get a glimpse of the show until previews begin at the American Airlines Theatre on December 17. Fortunately for you, however, this photo and interview with Megan Hilty (who plays the hard-of-sight Brooke Ashton) gives us a taste of what we have to look forward to.

Noises Off cast members Daniel Davis, Jeremy Shamos, David Furr, Andrea Martin Rob McClure (jumping), Campbell Scott, Megan Hilty (on carpet), Tracee Chimo (on phone), and Kate Jennings Grant.
Noises Off cast members Daniel Davis, Jeremy Shamos, David Furr, Andrea Martin, Rob McClure (jumping), Campbell Scott, Megan Hilty (on carpet), Tracee Chimo (on phone), and Kate Jennings Grant.
(© Jenny Anderson)

How are you feeling about the start of rehearsals?
I've been looking forward to this for a very long time. I met with Jeremy Herrin around two years ago and…I remember leaving the meeting going, "Oh my god, whoever gets to work with Jeremy is gonna have a great time." He's so great. [I] didn't hear anything [after that] so I just kind of assumed that somebody else was doing it…And then I got a call a year ago saying if you're not doing anything in a year…

Are you a longtime fan of Noises Off?
I've seen it several times, and of course I've been reading it and it's one of my favorite plays, so I can't believe I actually get to do it, and on Broadway no less. It's insane.

What are you looking forward to about being back on Broadway?
I'm just really excited to be onstage again. And this time I'm not singing, that's the big difference for me. When you're doing a musical, it's 24/7, you're worried all the time about whether or not your voice is going to be there. "Oh, god, do I have to be quiet during the day?" All of those things. Without that, it takes a lot of the stress away.

Does being in a straight play present its own challenges?
The last time I did a play was in college, so I don't know. It's been all musicals or television — which I guess is like a play, but with a camera? [laughs] I mean, there's no singing.

Do you have other singing gigs going on as well?
I have concert dates over Valentine's Day weekend. And I'm working on some recording projects, so during the day, once the show is up, I'll be in the studio.

You're also working on a TV project, Paul Rudnick's I Shudder. How do you balance it all, and how do you pick your projects?
[It's] the best of both worlds. It's all hard but it's wonderful. [To] be even more specific, it has to do with time away from my daughter. So the project has to be worth spending hours away from her.
I like to work, so I try to do as much as I can…[but] I always say that I do the TV stuff so I can afford my theater habit.

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