“Smash” Broadway comes to TV

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  Being a theater lover, it was most inspiring to be able to view the “pilot” episode of NBC’s new arrival “SMASH” which will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Central on NBC starting on February  6th ( after “The Voice”. Most TV today is FBI/Police/CIA and courtroom drama or silly situation comedy shows. With the coming of “Glee”, Television has learned that music can sell and what better way to have music on the home screen than a story that deals with the art itself.

“Smash” is the story of the making of a musical, “Marilyn, The Musical”, a story about the super icon Marilyn Monroe and the making of a musical play depicting her life. During the run of season one for this new experience, we, the viewers , will get to watch the audition process, the ups and downs of the actors, directors, writers, producers and all involved as they attempt to become part of a hit Broadway musical, one that will be the ever dreamed about “Smash”.

Brought to the small screen by Executive producer Steven Spielberg and a host of others, the show will feature an all star cast including Angelica Huston,Debra Messing,Jack Davenport, Chicagoan Brian d’Arcy James, Christian Borle and as the two actresses competing for the beloved role of Marilyn, Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty. Directed by Michael Mayer,written by Theresa Rebeck and with original music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and with a host of “theater people” as co-producers, I found this initial show an amazing look into the world of theater, a world steeped with its own mysteries and amazing egos and personalities.

The characters you will meet are very close to many of the people I have met over my years of covering the theater and what you will see is an amazingly creative way of making art, art. While we are looking at real people doing their jobs, or trying to get these jobs, we get visuals that will take us to another level. The rehearsal studio will become a stage and workout clothes become glitzy costumes. The lighting is very theatrical and the dance numbers are very very Broadway. At the Q and A ( question and answer period) after the preview, the question arose as to what direction the show will take and the answer is that season one will lead us to the completion of the casting and writing of the show. Should they come back for a second season ( and I see no reason why not, if they can maintain the powerful storyline of what I witnessed tonight) it will be the out of town, Pre-Broadway making of the show and I guess after that Broadway. Perhaps even a real Broadway production. That will give them ample time to find more stories and characters to create for the future.

I suggest that you prepare for a special event by marking your date book for February 6th-9 p.m. on NBC and tell your friends!