Photo:Patrick Harbron/Hulu
Patrick Harbron/Hulu
Warning: This post contains spoilers for season 3, episode 3, of Hulu’sOnly Murders in the Building.
Meryl Streepis known for infusing every one of her performances with emotion, and a duet with costarAshley Parkon Tuesday’s episode ofOnly Murders in the Buildingwas no exception.
“As she knows, we are generally always looking for any reason whatsoever to work with Sara Bareilles, and this really felt like the perfect opportunity to do so,” the Oscar- and Tony-winning composers tell PEOPLE exclusively. “Writing a song together, for Meryl Streep, was beyond any of our wildest dreams. It was the honor of a lifetime to watch a legend, who is both magnificent and humble, at work.”
Bareilles toldThe New York Timeslast week that she relished the chance to “tailor” the song to Streep’s “strengths There was so much tenderness in [Meryl’s] vulnerability. She let that speak through her singing.”
Pasek and Paul agree. “Her performance in this number is equal parts emotional, tender, vulnerable and filled with her signature quiet strength,” they tell PEOPLE. “It’s incredibly unoriginal but nonetheless very true to say that when the opportunity to work with Meryl comes along, you just jump.”
Bareilles also told PEOPLE in a statement that the “invitation” to join such a “joyful and undeniable” collaboration was a no-brainer.
“I am such a fan of theOnly Murdersand of Pasek & Paul, so the idea of writing together for the first time, especially to offer something to someone like Meryl Streep truly felt like a dream,” she said.
She said of working with the actresses, “Meryl was gentle and focused, and I loved her musicality and her willingness to share her process. Ashley Park’s glorious counter melody was added later, and I got goosebumps the first time I heard it. It truly couldn’t have been a more seamless experience- how lucky am I to be a part of it!”
After Oliver tinkered on the melody of “Look for the Light” throughout the episode, the song literally took center stage at the end of the hour when unproven star-in-the-making Loretta (Streep) stepped up at a reading to perform it in full for the first time. The moving performance signaled a turning point when cast, crew and investors finally agreed the show might actually have a chance at success.
Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu
“Look for the Light” is just one musical number that will feature in season 3A Strange Loop’s Michael R. Jacksonwill provide new material, as willHairsprayvisionariesMarc Shaiman & Scott Wittmanin addition to Pasek and Paul, who are known for their work onDear Evan Hansen,The Greatest ShowmanandLa La Land.
Back in January,OMITBstarSteve Martinrevealed that Streep would be joining the ranks with Rudd for season three with a picture shared on Twitter.
The black-and-white photo was a selfie that included Martin, Streep, Rudd, Short and Gomez.
Steve Martin/instagram
“The filming of Season 3 ofOnly Murders in the Buildinghas begun!” Martin, 77, captioned the post at the time. “A cast to dream of.”
“Hey guys, we’re on set! What are we shooting? Season 3! The gang is back!” Gomez said as she panned the camera to her Martin and Short, 73. “Yay! Could this honestly get any better? Oh wait!”
She then turned the camera to Rudd and ultimately to Streep, excitedly revealing the full crew working on the third season.
Hulu
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“Look for the Light” is now available to stream onAppleandSpotify. New episodes ofOnly Murders in the Buildingdrop Tuesdays on Hulu.
source: people.com
