Video: "Bombshell" On Broadway

Last night at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway, the cast and creators of the NBC show SMASH reunited for a one-night only event benefitting The Actors Fund.

The evening was a live staging of the fictional BOMBSHELL, the Marilyn Monroe musical created in NBC's Golden Globe-nominated television hit series "Smash," created byTheresa Rebeck. BOMBSHELL has become a cult favorite for theater lovers which featured the Emmy-nominated songs "Let Me Be Your Star," and "Hang the Moon."

The one-night-only landmark event featuring Bombshell's original songs featured Broadway vets from the TV show and more including Christian Borle, Will Chase, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee and Debra Messing, Jaime Cepero, Brian d'Arcy James, Ann Harada,Jeremy Jordan, Donna McKechnie, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Wesley Taylor.

One fan was able to get some footage of the sold-out event.

Check out "Don't Forget Me" and "Let Me Be Your Star" below sung by the TV show's two "Marilyns," Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty.

UPDATE: Broadway.com has uploaded some "official" clips from the concert. Here's a compilation - click here for more.

Broadway: "One-Night-Only" BOMBSHELL Concert Sells Out In One Hour

In just over an hour, all tickets to the upcoming "one-night-only" Broadway concert performance of Bombshell (the up-until-now fictional musical about Marilyn Monroe featured in the NBC series SMASH) were snapped up by the show's adoring fans.

And this was the PRE-SALE!

Today's ticket sales were made available to those fans who helped support the event via a spectacular Kickstarter campaign that originally aimed to raise $50,000 to fund the concert, and ended up netting over $318,000. But even those fans weren't guaranteed seats.

The June 8th performance will take place at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway with a capacity of 1,621 seats. The campaign had 1,485. You do the math.

The Actor's Fund made an announcement that they plan to refund any Kickstarter backers who were unable to purchase tickets:

"On behalf of the 21,000 people across the country that The Actors Fund helps every year, I'd like to send my personal thanks to the Kickstarter community for your support.

"Based on the overwhelming response to this campaign and our presentation of Bombshell, we have spent the last month exploring every opportunity to allow more people to view (both live or virtually) this one-night-only event. But unfortunately, none of these options were viable and as a result there are some disappointed supporters who were unable to purchase one of the limited number of tickets available.

"As a gesture of good faith, we are offering a full refund to anyone who wants to withdraw their Kickstarter support. Even if you couldn't get tickets, you've helped those in need in performing arts and entertainment — something The Actors Fund has been doing with respect and compassion since 1882.

"Your support assures that 100% of the ticket proceeds from this benefit concert will help actors, dancers, musicians, playwrights, directors and more. Thanks to your generosity, The Actors Fund will continue to be there for everyone in entertainment."

Due to the difficult scheduling of cast members Christian Borle, Will Chase, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee and Debra Messing, the event organizers do not have the option of presenting Bombshell for more than one performance.

Unfortunately, various union regulations make a recording of the event impossible.

Concert Version Of NBC's SMASH Musical "Bombshell" Raises $75K In Two Hours

UPDATE: Only an hour after I posted this, the Kickstarter campaign passed the $125,000 mark.

*******************

In just a few hours, a Kickstarter campaign to help fund a concert of "Bombshell" - the fictional musical from NBC's SMASH - raised over $75,000 with over 540 donors.

From the Kickstarter page:

We are raising money to put on the show of your dreams: A once-in-a-lifetime concert presentation of BOMBSHELL to benefit The Actors Fund.

The cast is donating their time, as is the whole creative team.* But we do need to raise $50,000 to cover the costs of the production and to assure that 100% of the proceeds will go to The Actors Fund to help people in the creative community who are in need, crisis or transition.

If you love this show - and you know you do - please consider a contribution large or small to help bring this evening to life. We have a great list of rewards at different tax-deductible donation levels to say THANK YOU for your support.

On Monday, June 8, 2015, at the Minskoff Theater, in New York City, we will present: Christian Borle, Will Chase, Megan Hilty, Katherine McPhee and Debra Messing.

Completing the cast will be a starry collection of Broadway favorites. BOMBSHELL features the Emmy nominated songs “Let Me Be Your Star” and “Hang the Moon.” This is a night not be missed.

Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

BOMBSHELL will be co-directed by Scott Wittman and Josh Bergasse with Musical Numbers Choreographed by Josh Bergasse.

I loved much of SMASH during it's two seasons on the air. And by far the best parts of the show were the musical numbers skillfully staged by Josh Bergasse and company.

I'm thrilled this concert is happening. If you're in NYC on June 8th, this will be the hardest ticket in town to get. Guaranteed.

Ficitonal SMASH musical to get concert reading at 54 Below in NYC

SMASH star Jeremy Jordan to appear in concert performance of "Hit List"

SMASH fans may need to get to New York City on December 9th.

The fictional Broadway show "Hit List" from the now cancelled TV series SMASH will make a real life appearance at 54 Below in concert form WITH some of the series stars, including Jeremy Jordan and Krysta Rodriguez.


From the NY Times:

54 Below will present the world-premiere concert performances of “Hit List” on Dec. 9, press representatives for the project said on Tuesday, with a cast that features the former “Smash” stars Jeremy Jordan and Andy Mientus (who played the putative “Hit List” creators Jimmy Collins and Kyle Bishop), as well as Krysta Rodriguez (who played Ana Vargas, a “Hit List” cast member).

A news release for “Hit List” described it — finally! — as “a modern fable about identity and the price of fame” that “tells the tragic love story of a wannabe pop singer who transforms herself to become a star and the hidden songwriter she uses to get there – but at what cost?”

The score for “Hit List” is written by the flesh-and-blood composers Drew Gasparini, Joe Iconis, Andrew McMahon, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and Lucie Silvas. Its press representatives said that the live performances “will include some additional songs from these composers that were intended for ‘Hit List’ but never made it to air, and also special appearances by several of ‘Hit List’s composers and additional performers to be announced at a later date.”

TV: SMASH ends it's run tonight

Bernadette Peters and Megan Hilty on SMASH

Say good night to SMASH tonight.  Series finale is on NBC tonight at 9pm EST.

While I personally had my ups and downs with the show, I did like a lot of it in the end.  And I give the creators a lot of credit for what they set out to do.  To this day, the song that closed the terrific pilot episode, "Let Me Be Your Star," still sounds like a Broadway blockbuster to me. And so much of the choreography on the show was top notch.

Over the course of the show's life, I've had several friends appear on the show (which was cool) and I interviewed the fab Megan Hilty for The Candi & Randy Show (warm, delightful and speaks with a smile in her voice).

So while many folks may be ready to see the show go, I'll be watching tonight. Maybe I'll dim the lights around my bathroom mirror down in remembrance.

Cancelled: "SMASH"

This is a bit of a heart-breaker for me.

I loved the pilot and continued to watch the show.  It had it's ups and downs along the way of it's two seasons, but I really liked what the creators of the show were going for: how a Broadway show gets to the Great White Way and what goes on underneath the surface of all those lives along the journey.

Here's Newsday's take on the cancellation:

Despite promise in the first season, the show's storytelling deteriorated and ended up drawing a small crowd of spitball-throwers known as "hate viewers," who traded social media barbs over the show's storylines...  A new producer couldn't turn matters around and "Smash" was sent to Saturday earlier this season where its end was foretold. 

In addition to many great moments on the show as the writers and producers were finding their voice again, the music was often just fab. Songs like "Let Me Be Your Star" and "Don't Forget Me" sit in my head all day if I happen to play one.

Series' star Katharine McPhee talked to The Hollywood Reporter about what the experience has meant to her, saying:

"Sure, I wish that it could have five more seasons, but we had two great seasons and all I can say is I loved every moment of it. I loved getting to the set, I loved the people, I loved my crew. We did amazing things on the show in two years," she told THR. "With this business, you can never predict what people are going to like or love or hate. All I know is that when the show started and people were so excited about the plot, I was excited to finally be a part of something that could showcase me. Everyone has perceptions about what you're capable of and what you can do and this show was a huge gift."

There were rumors that the series fictitious musical "Bombshell" might find some life somewhere on a real theatrical stage. I'd love to see that happen.

With the music we've heard and the fantastic choreography by Joshua Bergasse, I think there are a lot of fans who'd head out to see it.

RIP SMASH.

Jeremy Jordan & Jonathan Groff - "Let Me Be Your Star"

A bit of Saturday silly fun from hunky Jeremy Jordan (SMASH) and Jonathan Groff (GLEE). I've liked the song "Let Me Be Your Star" since I first heard it in the pilot of SMASH.

In related news, Glee‘s Jonathan Groff has been cast in The Normal Heart, HBO‘s original movie adaptation of the Tony-winning Larry Kramer play, which is being written by Kramer and directed by Ryan Murphy.

He joins Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch in the pic, which tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. Production is slated to begin later this year in New York for a 2014 debut.

SMASH show runner: "We're aware the show is not successful"

Even with scenes featuring a shirtless Jeremy Jordan, there's not good news coming from SMASH show runner Josh Safran: “We’re all aware the show is not successful," according to TVLine.

He also reveals that the upcoming season finale, episode 17, “was constructed as a series finale.”

The series, recently moved to Saturday nights, is expected to be cancelled.

(via Gay.net)

Debra Messing cast in new CBS pilot for fall

More indication that SMASH is pretty much done.

As if the move to Saturday nights wasn't enough, EW is reporting Ms. Messing already has a new gig with CBS.

New Music: Megan Hilty - "No Cure"

Guess who I got to interview today?  After discovering her debut CD, I got a call to interview the fab and fun Ms. Hilty.  I'll be sharing the interview soon...

Super nice and charming. We chatted about her new CD "It Happens All The Time" released March 12.

Check out the whole album at Amazon and iTunes.

Or head over to Target for their "exclusive" version with two additional songs.

Bonus - here's an acoustic version of Megan's song "No Cure"

New Music: Megan Hilty - "It Happens All The Time"

Megan Hilty, star of NBC’s musical drama “Smash” as the seasoned triple-threat Ivy Lynn, has released her debut CD recording, "It Happens All The Time."

Hilty was recently signed to Sony Music in a partnership between Sony Masterworks and Columbia Records. Her new album, It Happens All The Time, was released March 12, 2013.

Megan was most recently seen on Broadway as Lorelei Lee, the diamond-loving blonde made famous by Carol Channing, in the Encores! production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” to which she earned raved reviews.

Megan's new CD is available at Amazon and iTunes.

A native of Seattle, Hilty moved to New York City after graduating from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, and quickly made her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked.” She went on to perform the role in both the national tour and in Los Angeles.

Follow Megan at her official site: www.MeganHilty.com

Jennifer Hudson sings "Home" on SMASH

Teaser for Season 2 of SMASH

Although the show earned a Golden Globe nomination (remember Pia Zadora once won one), SMASH lost me after a few episodes - and I love Broadway.

However, I love the idea of the show and a lot of the talent in the cast, so I'm planning on watching the new season premiere and hope it works. Apparently "Gossip Girl" executive producer Joshua Safran has been brought in to "retool" the show.

Any of you readers watch the show? Love? Hate? Indifferent?

Sheryl Lee Ralph to join SMASH

Jennifer Hudson is following in Megan Hilty's Smash footsteps in getting a Broadway veteran to play her mother.

I couldn't be happier to hear the news.  I worked with Sheryl Lee in a production of Applause in Los Angeles where she played the iconic "Margo Channing"  and was fantastic.  This is a real talent.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played Dreamgirls' Deena Jones on Broadway in 1981, has been tapped to guest star on the second season of NBC's Broadway drama, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

As first reported by Vulture, Ralph will guest star as Cynthia, the mother to Hudson's Veronica Moore.

Hudson's Veronica is described as a Tony-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Hilty). The former Dreamgirls Oscar winner will appear in multiple episodes of Smash's second season, which is set to return midseason.

Broadway legend Bernadette Peters played mother to Hilty's Ivy on the first season of Smash, appearing in a pair of episodes to support her daughter as she struggled with the demands of Bombshell, the play at the center of Season 1.

In addition to Dreamgirls, Ralph's stage credits also include 2002's Thoroughly Modern Millie and features Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. On the small screen, her résumé includes "Hunter,"  "Designing Women" and "Moesha."

SMASH: Bernadette Peters - "Everything's Coming Up Roses"

For those who are not enjoying SMASH

From a website called Broadway Abridged. They have their own abridged version of SMASH.

SCENE: PREVIOUSLY ON SMASH...


                          MEGAN HILTY'S RACK
   Hi.





   SCENE: KATHARINE MCPHEE'S FIRST DAY OF REHEARSAL.


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   Hello everyone.


                          TWO BITCH GIRLS AND A BITCHY
                          GAY GUY
   UGH.


                          Megan Hilty enters and everybody claps
                          for her.


                          BROADWAY ACTOR WITH ONE LINE
                          IN THIS EPISODE
   We love you Megan Hilty!


                          ANOTHER BROADWAY ACTOR
                          MAKING MONEY ON THE SIDE BY
                          APPEARING IN THIS THING
   Megan Hilty, you're the best!  I like you and dislike
   Katharine McPhee!


                          A THIRD BROADWAY ACTOR WHOSE
                          TALENT IS BEING WASTED
   You'll surely NEVER be the villainess of this show, thereby
   turning off all the people who like you much better!  That
   wouldn't possibly happen!






   SCENE: ANJELICA HUSTON'S OFFICE.


                          ANJELICA HUSTON
   Oh no I have to sell my artwork.


                               THAT'S ENOUGH OF THAT...

SCENE: REHEARSAL.


                          Megan Hilty changes into her "I slept
                          with the Director and all I got was
                          this lousy T-Shirt" T-Shirt. 


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   They're *sleeping* together?


                          TWO BITCH GIRLS AND A BITCHY
                          GAY GUY
   I don't know that they're getting much sleep.!


                          SERIES CREATOR       
                          THERESA REBECK
   BWAH HA HA HA HA THIS IS WHAT I CONSIDER HUMOR.


                          JACK DAVENPORT
                 (to Megan Hilty)
   Hey, did you hear Nick Jonas is in this episode?  I'm
   throwing him a big birthday party.  I discovered him.


                          MEGAN HILTY
                 (to Christian Borle)
   Did you hear Nick Jonas is in this episode?  Jack Davenport
   is throwing him a big birthday party.  He told me he
   discovered him.


                          CHRISTIAN BORLE
                 (to Debra Messing)
   Did you hear Nick Jonas is in this episode?  Jack Davenport
   is throwing him a big birthday party.  He told Megan Hilty he
   discovered him.


                          DEBRA MESSING
                 (to that penis assistant)
   Did you hear Nick Jonas is in this episode?  Jack Davenport
   is throwing him a big birthday party.  He told Megan Hilty he
   discovered him.


                          MEGAN HILTY
   EVERYONE!  Katharine McPhee is too loud.  I want to throw her
   out of the number.


                          JACK DAVENPORT
                 (to Christian Borle)
   Megan Hilty thinks Katharine McPhee is too loud.  She's
   throwing her out of the number.


                          CHRISTIAN BORLE
   OK, Katharine McPhee.  Megan Hilty is throwing you out of the
   number because she thinks you're too loud.






   SCENE: CITY HALL.


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   So Megan Hilty threw me out of the number.  She thought I was
   too loud. Megan Hilty threw me out of the number.  She
   thought--


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE'S BOYFRIEND
   Has this show already assumed that people are watching it in
   the background while sorting laundry? 


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   But--


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE'S BOYFRIEND
   Sorry, I can't hear you.  In this episode, my characteristic
   is that I have a phone all the time!






   SCENE: ANJELICA HUSTON'S OFFICE.


                          ANJELICA HUSTON
                 (points at lawyer)
   YOUR OCCUPATION IS A LAWYER.


                          LAWYER
   Yes.


                          ANJELICA HUSTON
   I hate my ex husband but I used to not hate my ex-husband.


                          LAWYER
   Also true.


                          ANJELICA HUSTON
   Good, I wanted to make sure everyone knew that there can
   always be more exposition.
                 (sighs)
   Oh, artwork.


                          LAWYER
   We're not working off a script in this scene... we must be
   improvising, right?






   SCENE: OUTSIDE REHEARSAL.


                          TWO BITCH GIRLS AND A BITCHY
                          GAY GUY
   Oh look it's Katharine McPhee again.  UGH.


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   Megan Hilty threw me out of the number.  She--


                          TWO BITCH GIRLS AND A BITCHY
                          GAY GUY
   WE SAID UGH.  YOU ARE BORING AND FROM OHIO, SO WE HATE YOU.


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
                 (piano underscoring kicks in to
                  show that this moment is
                  IMPORTANT)
                 (or that perhaps somebody needs
                  piano scoring to make up for
                  lackluster acting skills)
   You guys are being jerks.


                          TWO BITCH GIRLS AND A BITCHY
                          GAY GUY
   You are right!  We shouldn't be mean to you.  After all
   you're boring, and from Ohio!  
   Now we suddenly adore you because we are going to make you a
   better person by peer-pressuring you into buying expensive
   clothes and turning you into a rag doll.


                          KATHARINE MCPHEE
   Sure, why don't I spend the entirety of what my Dad gave me
   in the last episode, in one spree!  Surely that won't cheapen
   anything.

Check out the website. Some funny material there.

SMASH drops in ratings again - NBC still wins night

According to published reports, NBC's SMASH, which aired its third episode last night, dropped in ratings again - moving this week from 8.1 million to 6.5 million viewers.

The series premiere earned the show a whopping 11.5 million viewers on February 6.

Despite the ratings dip for the series, NBC still won the night with help from THE VOICE, with 15.7 million viewers.

SMASH airs on Mondays at 10pm on NBC.

Pilot for NBC's SMASH available for free viewing today

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH?

You won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox today.

On January 23 the pilot will available as streaming content on NBC.com and Hulu; on February 6, SMASH debuts on NBC.

"Beautiful" from the upcoming NBC series SMASH

Katherine McPhee sings "Beautiful" in this advance video from the upcoming NBC series SMASH about the journey of a cast and creative team bringing a production to Broadway.

Love the scenes on a real Broadway stage and in rehearsal rooms where I've actually auditioned.

The more I see about the project, the more I think I'll like it. I'm hoping the series gets close to the reality of what it's like to pursue a career on Broadway.

We'll see...

Preview: NBC's "Smash"

Looks promising. And a talented cast. Coming to NBC in February 2012.

I do have a tiny quibble with the "and introducing Katherine McPhee" - a bit grand since she's done movies and been a very public recording artist for years. I hardly think the people who tune in for this show will be "introduced" to Katherine McPhee. However, that's not a comment on her talent. I like her a lot.

But, the show does look interesting. Just the shots of people auditioning take me back to my New York days as an actor. (I actually had a director take a cell phone call during an audition once). Ah, the glamour of it all.