Category : Articles

in Articles, Crew, Music, News, Smash

Shaiman, Wittman React to SMASH Emmy Nomination

Broadway’s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who co-write the music for NBC’s hit musical drama SMASH, reacted to this morning’s news that they received an Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song ‘Let Me Be Your Star.’ Smash nomination nods also went to Uma Thurman as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series and Joshua Bergasse for Outstanding Choreography.

Commented Shaiman, “Scott and I are thrilled to represent all our partners at ‘Smash’ and are so very thrilled for our friends and co-’Smash’ nominees Chris Bacon, Joshua Bergasse and Uma Thurman, who make us smile, and in the case of Uma, laugh uproariously.”

Said Bergasse, “I’m so excited and honored that I’m nominated for my first Emmy for ‘Smash.’ I’m dancing across the room!”

Source: BroadwayWorld.com

in Articles, News, Smash, Spoilers

What to Expect in Season 2 of Smash

Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, revealed in an interview with Variety that the second season of the TV series “Smash” will have theatre songs by songwriters other than Tony Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Expect a second musical to surface in the new season of the musical drama created by Broadway’s Theresa Rebeck (Seminar, Mauritius) and now shepherded by Joshua Safran (“Gossip Girl”). At the end of Season One of the scripted series about the making of a Broadway musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe, the musical Bombshell was poised to begin performances on Broadway after a rocky workshop period and out of-town tryout.

Greenblatt told the trade that executive producers Shaiman and Wittman are looking for composers and lyricists to write new tunes for the second season (but presumably not for Bombshell, for which Shaiman & Wittman penned numbers).

Reportedly, a rival musical will emerge to give Bombshell some competition (shades of Once versus Newsies or Avenue Q versus Wicked), with some of Bombshell’s personnel jumping ship for the other title.

It was announced on June 26 that theatre actor Andy Mientus would play the role of “Kyle,” a musical writer, in the coming season.

NBC has not officially announced a return date or timeslot for Season Two, except to say that it will return in mid-season. Shooting begins in and around New York City this summer.

Variety reported that composer/co-lyricist Shaiman and lyricist Wittman (Broadway’s Catch Me If You Can and Hairspray) are seeking songwriters who have theatre chops but no exposure yet on Broadway. Greenblatt told the trade, “I love the idea that out of this show we’ll be able to give some new composers a huge break. We thought it was a great way to open up the sound of our show, too.”

“Smash,” will again star Emmy Award winner Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”), Oscar winner Anjelica Huston (“Prizzi’s Honor”), Jack Davenport (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films), 2012 Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Legally Blonde the Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher), Katharine McPhee (“American Idol”) and Megan Hilty (9 to 5: The Musical).

From Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television, “Smash” came from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Spielberg (“ER,” “Schindler’s List”). The series’ executive producers also include Joshua Safran (“Gossip Girl”), who is new to the second season; Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning “Chicago,” “Hairspray” and Broadway’s recent Promises, Promises and How to Succeed…); Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (“United States of Tara,” “The Borgias”); and Tony and Grammy Award winners Shaiman and Wittman; and Rebeck.

in Articles, Cast, Featured, News, Smash, Spoilers

Jennifer Hudson to Join Cast of ‘Smash’ Season 2

Jennifer Hudson to Join Cast of Smash Season 2 Jennifer Hudson Smash Season 2She already has an Oscar, a Golden Globe a Grammy. Now Jennifer Hudson is going for an Emmy. The Dreamgirls co-star is set to appear in a multi-episode arc on NBC’s musical drama Smash next season, beginning with the second-season premiere. Hudson will play Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty). “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson,” NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said. “Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it.” The stint reunites Hudson with Smash executive producer Steven Spielberg whose company DreamWorks also produced Dreamgirls. “I have no doubt Jennifer will continue to deliver even more inspiration to the audience responsible for giving us a second season on NBC,” he said. Smash will now feature two famous American Idol alumnas next season: McPhee, who was a finalist in Season 5, and Hudson, who was on the third season of the reality series.

in Articles, Featured, News, Spoilers

Who Will Not Be Returning to Season 2 of Smash?

New showrunner, new rules. Or something like that.

Our sources confirm that four Smash cast members will not be returning as series regulars in season two. Did the TV gods answer our prayers and banish annoying Ellis? Is Michael Swift staying away from Julia for real this time? Here’s what we know:

One half of our TV prayers have been answered, because Ellis (Jaime Cepero), he who lurks in corners and calls himself a producer all the time, will not be back in season two as a series regular. Take a moment to let that joyous news soak all the way down to your bones. However, our source tells us that it’s possible he’ll be back for an episode or two, presumably to wrap up storylines. And hopefully to get hit by a speeding bus while eavesdropping on someone’s conversation on the street.

Who Will Not Be Returning to Season 2 of Smash? Smash 4 Cast Leaving

Are we also losing Leo? We wish. Nope, Julia’s (Debra Messing) bratty son is sticking around for now. However, we are losing Julia’s husband! Frank (Brian d’Arcy James) will also not be returning as series regular next year.

And the cuts just keep on coming. We’re also getting rid of Karen’s (Katharine McPhee) douchbag cheating boyfriend Dev (Raza Jaffrey). Good riddance, right?

Not making us say “good riddance” as much is the loss of Michael Swift (Will Chase). We didn’t love his cheating ways, but we did love his Joe DiMaggio. News of the cast shake-up was first reported by EW.com and The Hollywood Reporter.

Poor Julia…losing both men in her life. Safe to say that Josh Safran is axing the pregnancy storyline hinted at in the season-one finale?

As with Cepero, Jaffrey, Chase and d’Arcy James could return for one or two episodes to finish out their storylines or give us an explaination for why they’re leaving.

Safran, the former Gossip Girl showrunner, has taken over as captain of the Smash ship, and it appears he’s making some big changes for season two.

Smash fans, reactions to this news? Anyone else you don’t want in season two?

Source: EOnline.com

in Articles, Cast, Smash

Megan Hilty talks Ivy’s reaction to Uma Thurman

Megan Hilty talks Ivys reaction to Uma Thurman Smash Bollywood Promo Uma 300x175On tonight’s new episode of “Smash,” we are going to see the arrival of a new character who very much could have consequences for our current two contenders to play Marilyn Monroe. After all, she is a Hollywood star.

Speaking to TVLine, Megan Hilty (Ivy) described just what her character’s feeling is going to be after hearing that Rebecca Duvall (played by Uma Thurman) is going to be entering the picture as a serious contender for the role:

“The reception [Rebecca] gets is very mixed … Some people think she will save the show, some think she’ll do damage to it… and some don’t see any need for a star.

Movie stars are always a threat to everybody … The more famous you are, especially on Broadway, the more you trump everybody else.”

Will Duvall get the part? That is to be seen, but expect to see the character around for pretty much the remainder of the season.

Source: Examiner.com

in Articles, Featured, News, Smash

Will “Smash The Musical” Make It To Broadway?

Could “Smash” be headed to Broadway? When NBC developed the prime-time TV musical drama about cutthroat competition on Broadway, the network buttoned up the rights for a Broadway version of the TV show.

Will Smash The Musical Make It To Broadway? Smash Promo Episode 1x10 Understudy Uma Thurman 017

Uma Thurman as Rebecca Duvall in Smash

The series about the making of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, which NBC recently renewed for a second season, is a long way from getting to the real Broadway. Still, the show has been a passion project for NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt for years, and it boasts a large cast of executive producers with elite pedigrees and credentials in the theater world.

Steven Spielberg brought the idea for a TV show about a Broadway musical to Greenblatt about three years ago, when Greenblatt was head of entertainment at premium cable channel Showtime. But Showtime’s tight budget provided little canvas for Greenblatt to paint an ambitious slate of programming.

Continue Reading

in Articles, News, Smash

A 5% Increase For Smash Is Better Than No Increase

Last night’s episode of Smash, “Hell on Earth,” was a little more entertaining than the opposite that was last week’s, “The Coup.” Smash got a 5 percent bump for a 2.2 rating among adults with an average of 6.09 million viewers. Smash capped off the evening for NBC with a third-place 4.6/ 7 at 10 p.m. (which was 19 percent below older skewing year-ago occupant Harry’s Law).

in Articles, News, Smash

Smash Producers Weigh In on Season 1 Backlash and the Plan to ‘Correct’ Any Mistakes

“I’d say good riddance, but we’re still stuck with him.”

Those words, spoken this week by Smash‘s Julia to Tom in reference to the cartoonishly conniving Ellis, seemed all but written by disenfranchised fans of NBC’s musical drama. Or perhaps the snarky sentiment was envisioned as a meta nod to one of Season 1′s shortcomings.

Smash Producers Weigh In on Season 1 Backlash and the Plan to Correct Any Mistakes Promo Poster Smash Season 1 01 202x300

But the fact is, the bulk of Smash‘s 15-episode freshman run was already in the bank at the time of the show’s February bow. Meaning, any elements that quickly struck a sour note with viewers must be lived with, for the time being. Come Season 2, though — and there will be a Season 2 — things could change, presumably for the better.

Presented by TVLine with a recounting of Smash‘s less popular storylines — Ellis the omnipresent eavesdropper, Julia the impulsive adulterer, the intermittent but entirely superfluous adoption saga — executive producer Neil Meron said, “It’s common for all first-season shows to go through a shakedown, and for a show to kind of find its footing. And I think what’s happened [with Smash].”

The ray of light, he offers, is that “as the episodes continue, you’ll see certain things slip away, and focuses and emphasis shifted.”

Continue Reading