TV Exclusive: Hilty & Bean, The Meg an' Sho Show

The bubbly Wicked duo Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean reunited Monday in the first outing of their two-diva show, The Meg an' Sho Show, as presented by Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood, to a sold-out crowd at Mark's Restaurant.

Both Hilty and Bean are perhaps best known for their roles in the Broadway blockbuster Wicked, both performing in the New York and later National Touring productions, while Hilty continues to visit Oz as she plays the role of Glinda in Los Angeles' sit-down production at the Pantages Theatre, set to close January. Hilty is scheduled to step out of Wicked in May before heading to downtown's Ahmanson Theatre where she will star in the Broadway-bound Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5, opening this September.

Filled with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor, The Meg an' Sho Show allowed the two ladies to shake things up in a role reversed Wicked medley, with Bean and Hilty singing songs usually performed by the others' character. Along with a block of songs from shows including Ragtime, Pippin and Dreamgirls (which Bean used to blow the house down with a rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"), much of the evening was geared towards musical theatre fans, although a sprinkling of pop songs managed to fit nicely into the program. The CW's "Reba" co-star Melissa Peterman also dropped by as a special guest, joining the ladies for an amusing chat.

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims was on hand to shoot exclusive video of The Meg an' Sho Show, allowing for an inside look at the intimate performance.

Upright producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel have reacted to the quickly sold-out evening by announcing a second production set for May 5 at the Music Box @ Fonda across town, promising a more complete production, as a director and writer have been brought on board to gloss up the show. Complete with new songs, the Cinco de Mayo performance will spice things up with a special VIP after party performance by another Wicked alum, Eden Espinosa, along with music director Brian Perry, a Mariachi band and a special guest or two added to The Meg an' Sho Show.

Tickets for The Meg an' Sho Show - Cinco de Mayo will go on sale April 8th at 6 a.m., with prices ranging from $45 + $25 for an orchestra seat and the VIP After Party with Espinosa, $45 for the orchestra (cabaret seating) or $30 for the balcony. Tickets can be purchased online at www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=24310 (the link will become active Tuesday morning). The Music Box @ Fonda is located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret. And for more from James Sims visit www.simsscoop.com.

Photo by Tye Jakobs - www.tyejakobs.com

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