★★★★★ 0/5

Smash preview On Demand

Next week Foxtel iQ and Austar MyStar subscribers can watch the first episode of the new musical drama via On Demand.

5
Leave a comment

New NBC musical drama Smash premieres today in the US.

It will begin on Foxtel on February 21 but next week Foxtel iQ and Austar MyStar subscribers can watch the first episode via On Demand.

Significantly, the show has original songs written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), who serve as executive producers as well.

It will be available from February 14 – 20.

Smash is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theatre as it follows a cross section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a “Smash.”

The series centres on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe – written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Legally Blonde: The Musical) and Julia (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, Will & Grace). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband Frank (Tony Award nominee Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek the Musical) of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit. A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty Karen (Katharine McPhee, American Idol) – who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds – and stage veteran Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, 9 to 5: The Musical, Wicked), who’s determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break.

A tenacious producer Eileen (Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, Prizzi’s Honor) discovers the “Marilyn” project and jumps on board with a brilliant director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, Pirates of the Caribbean films) – whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality. Jaime Cepero (Porgy and Bess) stars as Tom’s assistant Ellis, and Raza Jaffrey (Sex and the City 2, MI-5) stars as Karen’s boyfriend Dev.

Guest stars in the 15 episode series include Uma Thurman as movie star Rebecca Duvall, Bernadette Peters playing Ivy’s Tony Award winning mother Leigh Conroy and Nick Jonas as Lyle West who started as a child actor on Broadway and is now a television sitcom star.

The series stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (ER, Schindler’s List).

The pilot was written by creator/executive producer and acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, NYPD Blue). David Marshall Grant (Brothers and Sisters), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar winning Chicago and Hairspray) and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (United States of Tara, The Borgias) also serve as executive producers. Smash is a production of Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television and Madwoman in the Attic.

5 Responses

  1. @Wayne

    Oh yeah don’t get me wrong i am loving the fact that its on W, mind you it was originally said it would run same day as the US yet we get Feb 21st and not complaining but yeah its great especially HD. I want FTA’s to realise this is what we want. All i was saying is this being NBC’s possible new big hit and after a 3.8 overnight and all the positive buzz it just surprised me Seven gave it to Foxtel.

    To the show itself I not a fan of Megan Hilty. Its good casting and she suits the role but just never liked her. I think Katherine is amazing. Watched her on Idol and now she fits this role so well.

  2. @ Guy I’m very happy Seven ‘gave’this show to Foxtel, could you imagine the treatment it would have received. At least W will actually support the show and show it in HD.

    I have seen the pilot and was really impressed. I’ve been a massive fan of Megan Hilty (Ivy) fan for a couple of years and I walk away an even bigger fan. Katharine McPhee held her own as well.

  5. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this (about 2 weeks ago) and really enjoyed it. Don’t think of it as a music or like Glee its much more about the drama behind the scene and I can’t wait to see the rest.

    BTW I think it came up on iTunes in the US about 2 weeks ago, pity they can’t do the same here for those without PayTV but who are willing to pay for individual shows.

Leave a Reply