Debuting Monday night, NBC’s musical drama “Smash” gives audiences an inside look of the creative process and the backstage politics of creating a Broadway show. After a disappointing slate of pilots, NBC might have found their breakout show.
In the Steven Spielberg produced musical, songwriters Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Brole) attempt to write an ambitious musical chronicling the life of Marilyn Monroe while struggling with their own personal and professional crises. In addition, the series features newcomer Katherine McPhee as Karen Cartwright, a struggling actress, and Broadway veteran Ivy Lyn (Megan Hilty) as they compete for the lead role.
The well-written script perfectly balances the show business aspect of the New York theatre scene with the personal lives of the characters, resembling Bob Fosse’s 1979 film “All That Jazz.” Unlike “Glee,” writer Theresa Rebeck develops likeable characters experiencing real dilemmas without resorting to childish antics. In addition, Smash, filled with wonderful choreographed dance numbers to original songs written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman gives the series credibility that it could be a legitimate Broadway musical.
The large ensemble in the pilot is spectacular, giving the audience believable characters that ground the several plotlines in reality. These various musical numbers featuring Karen and Ivy blur the line between the real rehearsal process and stylized staged production that in less capable hands could get lost in all the razzle-dazzle. Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) is the character who stood out the most. She plays the show’s producer, stealing every scene she is in by lending a much needed energy boost.
Overall, “Smash” is an entertaining, well-scripted, and adult program that many theatre fans have been patiently waiting for since “Glee” premiered three years ago.
“Smash” airs Monday on NBC at 10 p.m.