Megan Mullally: from odious to melodious

Who would have thought that the squeaky-voiced Karen on "Will & Grace" could actually sing?

Megan Mullally, actress, singer, dancer, producer, writer, and soon-to-be talk-show host, will be performing with her band, "The Supreme Music Program," on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts.

According to Megan Mullally, the music is "eclectic" and a bit "weird." Apart from doing cover songs, they also perform music that is not well known and sometimes unusual.

"(It's) really fun, it's our own thing," Mullally said in an interview with The Spectrum. "It's really pure."

Primarily known as an actress, Mullally entered into the music scene not too long ago with an M&M commercial. She didn't have a word to rhyme with orange, but she did have a great time making the commercial.

"The commercial was fun to do," she said. "I was only in for an hour, which isn't long. It was a good way for everyone to hear my voice. I really love singing."

Mullally has been singing since she was young, but in her 20s she decided that she wasn't going to pursue a career solely in music and continued with acting on screen and stage. In the early part of her career, she hit it big with Broadway shows like "Grease" with Rosie O'Donnell, and later landing her role on "Will & Grace."

Her stint on "Will & Grace" is now coming to an end, as the series finale at the end of this season will conclude the show's eight-year run.

"It's going to be really sad with 'Will & Grace' ending," Mullally said. "Everyone keeps asking if I'm going to sing, but I don't want everyone to think I'm saying 'here, look at me.' Since I love working with the band so much and will be doing the talk show, we will be performing occasionally."

With the end of "Will & Grace" comes the end of Karen. Mullally's opinion on Karen is very unique, and who better to ask about what makes this character than the actress herself?

She said that she and her character are nothing alike. Karen's alcoholism, drug addictions, critical nature and willingness to "do" just about anyone does not reflect Mullally's persona.

"(Karen) is all of those things, but to me she is a lovable, happy, joyful person," Mullally said in a gentle and relaxed voice, uncharacteristic of her high-pitched character. "She can flip into a childish mood quickly. She is this really wonderful gal that just tries to do her best."

"Her lifestyle is completely insane, but that is why she is so funny," she said. "I am the furthest from my character than any of the actors."

When asked about her inspiration for the famous voice, Mullally replied, "It was an instinct."

"It was funny that someone that has so much money wouldn't have that fixed," she said. "She is so critical of everyone else and her voice is so annoying. I had done a whole bunch of crazy characters and almost gotten fired or didn't get hired (on other shows). The character was written very different than she is now. Not the crazy one you see. If I came in with a character that is too big they would not have liked it, but by the three or four episodes I started working in the voice."

The future is wide open for Mullally, starting with her own talk show, "The Megan Mullally Show" premiering this fall on NBC. She has big plans for her show, including giving her own band an outlet to perform. She also plans on doing sketches with some of her guests.

"For example, if Will Ferrell was on the show, I'd want to do something with him," Mullally said.

She is going to have "everyday" people on the show on a regular basis. She wants her show to be about "real" people and to "deconstruct Hollywood" by showing the people behind the stars.

Between "Will & Grace" and her talk show, she does not have many chances to perform with her band. She has never seen Niagara Falls and says she is looking forward to checking out everything Buffalo has to offer.