Its tough trying to find originality these days, especially when it comes to music, movies, and television. Even with a “fresh, original” show like Glee, it still is inspired by musical numbers, covers of famous songs, and typical high school storylines. While they are influenced by works that have come before, the show still offers their own sense of originality that makes it lovely to watch every week. So you can imagine my surprise when I first heard that NBC picked up a little show called Smash, said to be in the same caliber with Glee, in that it’s a musical show that revolves around a musical show. For me, I had to wonder where the originality was in that. But after seeing the pilot episode three times in one week (yes, it’s my new obsession), I think I have the answer. Smash is an entertaining concept, the cast is talented, and the music is phenomenal!
The idea behind Smash (so I’ve picked up so far) is that every season, we’ll get to go behind the scenes of how a musical is created and brought to life on the stage. As far as the originality goes, it sounds like a concept that has been done before. But there’s something so wonderful and refreshing about it that makes it all work for the better. Sure, like I mentioned before, the ideas that have obviously been inspired by Glee are noticeable. First there’s the obvious one word title. But even Katharine McPhee acknowledged what kind of stamina Glee has had on television. “’We're just actually really grateful that Glee has opened the door,’ she said. ‘And has made music work on television’” (MTV News). What I’ve also been excited about is how executive producer Steven Spielberg described his idea for creating the show. If I’m not mistaken, every season will go behind the scenes of creating a new Broadway musical. If there’s enough interest in the show they create, they’ll look into actually producing it on Broadway in real life. Who knows if they’re still thinking that way, but the idea is intriguing.
Can you imagine how many people are going to be submitting their own stories, ideas, and original music to the show? That opens up a partnership with up and coming writers, possibly even a contest (like the Glee open auditions) to get your work on television. Think about the revenue that comes with music downloads, Emmy and Grammy awards, merchandise sales for the Smash show, not to mention if the musical they create on television becomes a Broadway production. Then we start to have ticket sales, national tours, cast recordings, Tony and Grammy awards, and let us not forget the tradition of turning Broadway shows into films. Then we get into even more ticket sales, more intrigue since the film version will attract big celebrity names, more Grammy awards and even Academy Awards. And while all of this takes place, Smash will still be on TV creating another new musical every season to start the process all over again! Debra Messing’s character Julia said it best when reading about a stage revival of My Fair Lady. “Doesn’t anyone write original musicals anymore?” Oh the possibilities…
Let’s get into the talent that comes with just one cast. First up is the return of the delightful Debra Messing. I loved her on Will & Grace for 8 seasons, adored her in The Starter Wife, and it’s great to see her back in full form entertaining us all. Then we have a powerhouse icon like Anjelica Huston, who’s impressive career adds yet another strong character in her already large list of women she’s portrayed.
Then we’re given two beams of light with Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee (or as the promos suggest, INTRODUCING Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee). Megan Hilty is almost like Broadway royalty. She’s been seen already in Wicked as the delicious Glinda the good witch, and let us not forget her starring role in 9 to 5 the musical as Doralee Rhodes (the role made famous by Dolly Parton in the film version). Katharine McPhee is most known as the girl with the beautiful voice who SHOULD HAVE won American Idol, but mistakably was shut out by the horrible winner Taylor Hicks. She’s tried the acting thing with The House Bunny (one of my favorites by the way) and a music career (putting her beautiful voice with an impressive and experimental backdrop of pop, rock, soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop). Then comes the other supporting cast members. We have the seductive director Jack Davenport, the gay writing partner who can hold his own Christian Borle, and the gorgeous and perfect boyfriend Razza Jeffrey. Together, this makes one hell of a cast. Beauty, talent, and perfection in one show, I didn’t think it was possible.
And now we get to my favorite part about this show…THE MUSIC! Can we first mention the irony of Katharine McPhee opening the show with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”? (For those who don’t remember, it was one of the standout performances she did on American Idol).
Smash has brought along the award-winning writing duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (yes, the geniuses behind Hairspray the musical) to bring the intriguing Marilyn Monroe musical to life!
Within the pilot episode alone, we’re given the beautiful and refreshing ballad “Never Give All The Heart”, the cute and upbeat baseball dance number “The National Pastime”, and then we end with the inspiring, heart-clenching powerhouse that is “Let Me Be Your Star”. Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee bring their A-game with every number.
Hilty has shown a little more range over McPhee though in the pilot. She sings “Never Give All The Heart” with gusto, then plays it down Monroe-style when they record it as a demo (whispers, high notes, and all).
Then she plays up the flirty and seductive innuendos with the breathtaking baseball number “The National Pastime” (taking it back to the glory days of musicals and the terrific dance numbers).
Then comes McPhee and her subtle beauty behind her cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.
As mentioned before, the show ends on several high notes (literally) with the duet “Let Me Be Your Star”. I couldn’t help but get emotional within the last three minutes of the episode. The build-up, the voices, the typical “walking out of a building onto the streets of New York singing” shots, and the different kinds of beauty and power that come from both talented women, it all just takes my breath away again and again!
All in all, it’s a solid win for NBC and everyone behind this genius show. I urge everyone to give this show a chance. It’s light-hearted, it’s intriguing, it’s certainly entertaining, and if you’re not hooked by the promos alone, just wait until those last three minutes of the episode like I mentioned earlier. Let’s celebrate the days of classic dance numbers, stories that create drama, music that tugs at our heart strings, and an ensemble that is worthy of every award possible. Not to mention that we owe it to a network like NBC (that deserves a lot more credit than they are given) to make Smash a SMASH!!!
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