NBC’s much-awaited musical drama ‘Smash’ debuted last night, February 6th. The show gives a dynamic view of the making of a Broadway musical from scratch – a subject that has never been the focus of a network series.
As previously reported, ‘Smash’ has already been compared to ‘Glee’. And, many viewers feel it is a closer match to ‘Fame’. However, in essence, the show doesn’t really resemble either. ‘Glee’ and ‘Fame’ are both series that feature students who aspire toward careers in the performing arts.
‘Smash’, on the other hand, is a look inside the theatrical world and how a Broadway musical is formed from concept, to the first song, to putting together a production team, and on to the first audition and the daunting task of finding the star that is going to help the show be a huge success.
Valerie McCarty of Flint saw the pilot in a special sneak preview and was really impressed with the unique aspects of the series. She said:
‘This show is similar to ‘Fame’, because the musicality and ensemble numbers in ‘Fame’ lend themselves to Broadway. The difference is that ‘Smash’ is Broadway. It’s how an entire show is born after that first light bulb moment of the idea. It’s how an entire team of people have to lend all these individual parts to an overall joint process to give life to the idea and get it to the stage. So, as the series moves forward each week, so does the creative process of the musical. I think that’s such a great concept and will be so fun to watch!’
This much is true for all 3 series: They all feature people who love the arts and who aspire to succed in some facet of the arts or the entertainment industry.
However, as McCarty points out, 'Smash' goes beyond 'Fame' and 'Glee' in its overall scope. It celebrates creation and the art itself . And the backdrop is professional as opposed to educational.
In the first episode we meet Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) who are creative partners and have done previous musicals together. Julia is the lyricist and Tom is the composer/arranger. They are supposed to be taking a break from work, but then get the idea to do a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. We also meet Tom’s new assistant, Ellis (Jaime Cepero) who has big aspirations in the business and is thrilled and wowed by Tom and Julia’s body of work.
Both Messing and Borle play so convincingly as artists who have the ‘spark’ of inspiration they just can’t put down. They also share a believably close personal and professional camaraderie.
Julia’s husband, Frank (Brian d’Arcy James) is not really thrilled that she’s plunging into a new project, as they are trying to adopt a baby and he feels the musical will absorb all of her time.
Oscar winner Angelica Huston plays the musical’s producer, Eileen who is submerging herself in it to get through an ugly divorce. Her bitter soon-to-be ex accuses her of taking it on just to prove she’s still in the game. Huston plays Eileen’s driven and authoritative take-no-bull attitude to a fault.
She persuades Julia and Tom to hire Derek (Jack Davenport) to direct, even though it’s clear he and Tom do not get along.
Ivy (Megan Hilty) is a Broadway ensemble performer (and friend of Tom’s) who’s itching for a starring role. Hilty’s vocals are impeccable as she helps them record the very first song they write (before anyone else hears it).
Unwittingly, the video of the song goes viral (thanks to Ellis) and they get some amazing feedback. Ivy ends up auditioning for the lead as Marilyn. They see several more girls and nothing sparks until Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) blows everyone away with a simple but passionate ‘Beautiful’. There is a magic and vulnerability in Karen's performance that instantly draws them in and compels them...
Karen is originally from Iowa and is a waitress who is incredibly talented and dreams of being a star. Her parents are skeptical of her aspirations, but she has incredible support from her boyfriend, Dev (Raza Jaffrey).
McPhee’s vocals are rich and her acting delivery is smooth and unstilted.
Both Ivy and Karen get call backs and a rivalry for the lead is born. Ivy has paid her dues in ensemble work. Karen’s resume, however, is ‘light’. There is already division around who should get the part and for what reasons. It’ll be interesting to watch things play out from here.
Plus, from the looks of next week’s preview, it appears Julia’s former crush may be coming on board. Is he going to add to the tension the musical puts on Julia’s marriage – or will she turn to him to relieve the tension?
Overall, ‘Smash’ is smartly written and vividly drawn. It makes a bold new statement and sets itself apart from other musical series comparisons in its concept, which offers insight into an artist’s creative process.
The characters are likeable, believable and well-fitted to the cast. Tony Award nominee and Saginaw, Michigan native Brian d'Arcy James serves as an inspiration to local viewers, who can't wait to see more of his character unfold. Messing seems totally in her element and McPhee adds a freshness and innocence that makes us automatically root for Karen’s dream to come true.
‘Smash’ airs Mondays in Flint on WEYI NBC25 at 10 PM EST.
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