They've been telling Hilty to tone it down ever since she was in rehearsels to initially take over the role in New York years ago (when she was also told to mold a more original interpretation and not rip off what Jennifer Laura Thompson was doing.) They like her because she is well recieved and works for cheap but I've never found her to be anything more than mediocre in the role (though she has a great voice and some substancial comedic timing.)
In regards to "9 to 5," I've heard Hilty isn't continuing with it because "Vanities" (the David Kirshenbaum and Jack Heifner musical she did out in California last year) is hoping for a New York transfer in the fall with her, Leslie Kritzer, and Sarah Stiles in toe. I would presume that her involvement with that project would conflict with her continued participation in the development of "9 to 5" (they're probably hoping to keep the same three leads from all the readings for what eventually becomes a full fledged production.)
She's contracted out in LA with "Wicked" for nine months, so hopefully she'll go forward with "Vanities" and stop playing the same role repeatedly. At some point you just have to move on.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 5/1/07 at 07:27 PM
