Smash (2012–2013)

There is more drama behind the scenes than on stage, as the team prepares an ambitious Broadway musical on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Creator:

Theresa Rebeck

Stars:

Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Debra Messing	...	Julia Houston (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Jack Davenport	...	Derek Wills (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Katharine McPhee	...	Karen Cartwright (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Christian Borle	...	Tom Levitt (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Megan Hilty	...	Ivy Lynn (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Anjelica Huston	...	Eileen Rand (32 episodes, 2012-2013)
Savannah Wise	...	Jessica (29 episodes, 2012-2013)
Wesley Taylor	...	Bobby (26 episodes, 2012-2013)
Jenny Laroche	...	Dancer (24 episodes, 2012-2013)
Keith Kuhl	...	Dancer (24 episodes, 2012-2013)
Leslie Odom Jr.	...	Sam Strickland (23 episodes, 2012-2013)
Brian d'Arcy James	...	Frank Houston (18 episodes, 2012-2013)
Ann Harada	...	Linda (18 episodes, 2012-2013)
Jeremy Jordan	...	Jimmy Collins (17 episodes, 2013)
Jaime Cepero	...	Ellis Boyd (16 episodes, 2012-2013)
Joshua Bergasse	...	Josh (16 episodes, 2012-2013)
Raza Jaffrey	...	Dev Sundaram (15 episodes, 2012)
Krysta Rodriguez	...	Ana Vargas (15 episodes, 2013)
Michael Cristofer	...	Jerry Rand (15 episodes, 2012-2013)
Phillip Spaeth	...	Dennis (15 episodes, 2012)
Lexy Hulme	...	Dancer (15 episodes, 2013)
Andy Mientus	...	Kyle Bishop (14 episodes, 2013)
Emory Cohen	...	Leo Houston (14 episodes, 2012-2013)
Samantha Zack	...	Dancer (14 episodes, 2013)
J. Manuel Santos	...	Dancer (14 episodes, 2012-2013)
Thorsten Kaye	...	Nick Felder (13 episodes, 2012-2013)
Nina Lafarga	...	Dancer (13 episodes, 2012-2013)
Reed Kelly	...	Dancer (13 episodes, 2013)

Storyline

The road to and success on Broadway of the musical is not easy. And winning the coveted Tony as Best Musical is even more difficult, that which is the ultimate goal. Such trials and tribulations are shown for a handful of shows, their creative teams and their performers. There is competition amongst the performers for roles, competition amongst the shows not only for box office but also limited investor dollars and that final Tony prize, and competition amongst those ultimately hired in the cast and crew for what they want to see happen in the show, both for the good of the show and their own personal benefit. And sometimes, personal life gets in the way of these professional goals. These problems not only happen for those new or working their ways up the ranks, such as performers Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn, and the writing team of Jimmy Collins and Kyle Bishop, but also seasoned veterans, such as the writing team of Tom Levitt and Julia Houston, womanizing director Derek Wills, ...

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Plot Keywords:

broadway | producer | chorus | rivalry | director | 

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Taglines:

Follow your dream. Watch your back.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Kasszasiker

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madwoman in the Attic, DreamWorks Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Riedel" whom Julia calls a "Napoleonic little Nazi" and other characters complain about as well is a real person--Michael Riedel, the influential and feared theater columnist for The New York Post, who is well-known for his acerbic-to-scathing reporting on some shows. His writing has occasionally led to conflicts with the theater world off the page as well; one infamous example was when his negative opinion of the 2004 revival of "Fiddler on the Roof" led to the director of that production, David Leveaux, punching Riedel in front of a crowd at the theater district restaurant Angus McIndoe. The real Riedel signed a legal release before the first episode of "Smash" aired allowing the show to call him a "Napoleonic little Nazi."

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.82 (2012)

User Reviews

Smash is refreshing

It is so good to have the option to see an upbeat musical instead of being limited to all of the police, vampire, garish and reality shows that have been taking over the networks these days. Katherine McPhee's performance is excellent. She is quite a refreshing actress and singer. The show is nicely geared towards the crowd that is over 16. Glee is much too young for me. I am 61. The show is very well done. The storyline is interesting and kind of reminiscent of the movie Fame. I am eager to tune into the next episode. I will be a loyal fan and hope that Smash becomes a long running show. It makes me smile and sing. We need more shows that can do that.