The Workshop (19 Mar. 2012)

In the lead up to showing the workshop to potential investors, things don't seem to be going well for anyone involved with the show except Karen, whose biggest issue is if her allegiances ... See full summary »

Director:

Mimi Leder

Writers:

Theresa Rebeck (creator), Jason Grote,

Stars:

Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Debra Messing	...	Julia Houston
Jack Davenport	...	Derek Wills
Katharine McPhee	...	Karen Cartwright
Christian Borle	...	Tom Levitt
Megan Hilty	...	Ivy Lynn
Raza Jaffrey	...	Dev Sundaram
Brian d'Arcy James	...	Frank Houston
Jaime Cepero	...	Ellis Boyd
Anjelica Huston	...	Eileen Rand
Bernadette Peters	...	Leigh Conroy
Will Chase	...	Michael Swift
Neal Bledsoe	...	John Goodwin
Leslie Odom Jr.	...	Sam Strickland
Thorsten Kaye	...	Nick Felder
Emory Cohen	...	Leo Houston

Storyline

In the lead up to showing the workshop to potential investors, things don't seem to be going well for anyone involved with the show except Karen, whose biggest issue is if her allegiances lie with the show or furthering her music career, as a big time music producer, who only has a limited time to see her, can only do so during the investor's show. Eileen is having problems with the building manager and getting the boiler repaired in time for the show as the building is like a furnace. Eileen gets some help on this matter from an unexpected source, which may add a little spice to her personal life. Julia's work is suffering because of her angst over her continuing sexual relationship with Michael, and the fact that she learns that Leo knows about the affair. And Ivy, still recuperating from her vocal strain, has the additional concern about her visiting hypercritical mother, ex-Broadway star Leigh Conroy, who, in Ivy's words, sucks all the spotlight on herself like a black hole ...

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madwoman in the Attic, DreamWorks Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ivy Lynn: He's been my best friend since I was eighteen years old. He is gay, gay, GAY, gay, gay.

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Connections

Features Some Like It Hot (1959)

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Soundtracks

"Let Me Be Your Star"
(bows)
Music and Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Performed by the cast of Marilyn

User Reviews

We make it to the workshop, but what lies ahead now...

We have watched and come to know all the stars of "Marilyn" in six weeks of NBC's show "Smash." We are starting to recognize each song that is sung, understand the business of the theater, and hope for the best for the cast and crew of this musical. So now we come to episode 7: "The Workshop."

Building towards this moment in the show through six episodes, we have come to understand how tough it is to have a musical come to life, and we have invested our hope with everyone involved in this one. As the stars and ensemble sing, dance, and act their way through the workshop, we can't help but hope for the best and enjoy everything that we see.

But let's take a couple steps back. "The Workshop" begins with Karen, who is singing at a studio for producer Bobby Raskin. She steps up to the mic and belts out some beautiful notes, to the astonished tech guy running the board. He comments "I think I'm in love with you" when it ends. Clearly Karen has nailed the audition.

To read the rest of the review (does not fit IMDb form) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/smash-1-7-the-workshop/