Go behind the scenes of Smash, premiering February 6, in the included video. Watch it now to learn more about the Marilyn musical right from the cast and crew.
Video: Behind the Scenes – The Music of Smash
Debra Messing’s ‘Smash’ Return to TV
One of the most talked about new shows in NBC’s lineup is the comedy/musical Smash, which brings Debra Messing back to TV as a character who writes lyrics for Broadway musicals.
“They’ve incorporated the singing into the drama of my character’s storyline in a really clever way,” Debra told ET last week at NBC’s TCA event. Messing — who also does some singing in the show — said she’s excited to be part of a series that realistically portrays the business side of Broadway, plays but does it in a fun and engaging way.
Anjelica Huston plays the producer of an ambitious Broadway musical that tackles the life of Marilyn Monroe and she echoed Messing’s comments about the show being realistic. “It’s a very true to life portrayal of what a producer does. And I think a lot of people don’t really know what the producer does,” Huston said.
In the show, Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty both play characters vying for the coveted role of Marilyn Monroe. Megan said at first she found that task “daunting,” but eventually got more comfortable when she thought in terms of her character going for Marliyn’s role, not herself.
Watch the video to hear how McPhee got involved in the project and why she considers the part a dream role in her career.
You can catch the series premiere of Smash on February 6 at 10 p.m. on NBC.
Debra Messing Admits Big Budget Contributed To Loss Of ‘The Starter Wife’
Beautiful, talented and blessed with the ability to go from one quality television series to the next, DEBRA MESSING is probably best known for her titular role as the hapless gal-pal (see how I cleaned that up) in WILL & GRACE but also conjures fond memories of NED & STACY and, most recently, THE STARTER WIFE.
A victim of the new depression, THE STARTER WIFE was based on the novel by GIGI LEVANGIE (the former wife of Hollywood mogul BRIAN GRAZER) and reveled in the excess of the early aughts. We spoke with MESSING over the weekend and she freely lamented the demise of the popular series.
Debra Messing Says Acting is “Not What Mama Chose” For Son Roman
While Debra Messing and Daniel Zelman recently decided to end their ten-year marriage, the Smash starlet and her ex-husband are still very supportive of their son and raising him as a family unit. The 43-year-old spoke to OK! of being proud parents to Roman, who already has an itch to act, and what she already has planned for his career down the road.
“He was Peter Pan last week at school so its terrifying to me,” the former Will and Grace star joked to OK! while in Pasadena on Friday of her son being too good on stage for comfort, “He was brilliant!”
While the experienced actress knows all about the ups and downs of show business, Debra still says that she and her ex-husband “absolutely” support the 7-year-old if acting is in the cards one day.
“Its fantastic,” the doting mom gushed at a TCA panel discussion and explained that Roman even, “comes to the [Smash] set and he watches them sing,” to get a taste of what the industry is really like.
Still, the Brooklyn native would prefer if her son took the professional route that she has chosen for him already.
“Oh my gosh. I told him when he was about 2-weeks-old that I had already decided that he was going to be an architect so you know, this is a hobby for a little while, but its not what mama chose for him,” Debra revealed to OK! of preferring Roman to be in a different career field.
Don’t miss the premiere of NBC’s Smash, also starring Megan Hilty, Anjelica Huston and Katherine McPhee, on Feb. 6!
‘Extra’ Raw! On the Set of ‘Smash’
“Extra” correspondent AJ Calloway visited the set of “Smash,” dishing with stars Debra Messing and Katherine McPhee about their new NBC musical series, executive produced by Steven Spielberg.
It’s a cross between “Rocky” and “Glee,” explained Messing. “‘Glee’ only because there’s singing it. But there’s definitely a ‘Rocky’ element to it because there’s two women vying for the role of Marilyn Monroe, and you don’t know who’s going to get it.”
“American Idol” alum McPhee plays one of those women, a newbie trying to snag the coveted role in a new Broadway musical, teasing, “I can’t reveal whether or not she gets the part, but yeah, she’s a little green. She’s never experienced a real Broadway workshop.” Tune in when “Smash” premieres February 6 on NBC!
• Smash
• Law & Order: SVU
