Steven Spielberg's new musical drama ‘Smash’ premieres tonight, February 6th, (in Flint on WEYI NBC25). Leading lady and Emmy winner Debra Messing stopped by ‘The Today Show’ earlier this morning to chat about the new series.
Host Ann Curry remarked that some people are calling ‘Smash’ a ‘Glee’ for grownups, adding:
‘It really isn’t that, is it?’
Messing gave great credit to 'Glee' in her reply:
‘No, I don’t think so. I mean, we owe everything to ‘Glee’. There’s no way we could be on television if ‘Glee’ hadn’t been successful and show that music can be viable in primetime.
But, this is an adult show. It’s a show that’s naturalistic. It’s about the life of people living in New York trying to get this thing done. You’re also following their lives outside with people getting divorces and trying to adopt. There’s financial struggles. So, it’s very different but I think there’s room for all of us.’
The multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winning series 'Glee' has paid homage to Broadway many times in its 3 year history. Star Lea Michele is a Broadway veteran and Darren Criss just made his Broadway debut in a 3 week stint in 'How to Succeed in Business' that reportedly pulled in 4 million dollars.
Plus, 'Glee's' soundtrack sales success reinforces that TV viewers connect and appreciate the music tied to the stories. This offers great hope to 'Smash', which is already offering series performances on iTunes.
Messing plays Julia Houston a Tony Award nominated lyricist who teams up with composer/partner Tom Levitt (played by Christian Boyle) to bring 'Marilyn the Musical' to the Broadway stage.
Curry went on to say the show has already received rave reviews from ‘The Washington Post’ and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, even before it airs.
Messing said after reading the script she felt 'Smash' was something she 'had to do'. She is thrilled with the early praise and told Curry that 'it feels fantastic'.
‘Smash’ also stars Oscar winner Angelica Huston as Tony Award winning Producer Eileen Rand, Broadway star Megan Hilty (‘Wicked’, Glinda) as Broadway ensemble performer Ivy Lynn and singer/actress Katharine McPhee, who made her industry break as an ‘American Idol’ finalist.
McPhee plays Karen Cartwright, a talented girl from Iowa who moves to New York to pursue her Broadway dream. She has some acting experience but goes after the Marilyn musical to win the role of a lifetime.
Flint area TV viewer Valerie McCarty watched the pilot episode in a cable On Demand special preview and is really excited about the series. She said:
‘The show is excellent -- it's everything the preview sets it up to be. Katharine McPhee has an amazing voice and she does a great job acting too. I think the music is going to be awesome and it’s already obvious that it’s really well written. Katharine did an incredible job with 'Beautiful'. I’m definitely hooked and betting that everyone else is going to be too.’
‘Smash’ premieres tonight in Flint on WEYI NBC25 at 10 PM EST.
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