Uma Thurman Joins SMASH for Multi-Episode Arc

With stars such as Bernadette Peters and Nick Jonas already signed on to guest star in NBC's upcoming Broadway-based series SMASH, the series has added yet another star to its list: Uma Thurman will join the show for a five episode arc.

Thurman will play a famous and somewhat difficult movie star who flirts with the idea of starring in "Marilyn," the musical within the musical.

Thurman is well-known for her starring role in the cult feature film hit "Pulp Fiction" (for which she received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations) as well as for "Kill Bill Volume I," both directed by Quentin Tarantino. She first achieved notice in the film "Dangerous Liaisons" and "Henry & June," and went on to star in other films such as "Kill Bill Volume 2," "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," "Mad Dog and Glory," "Beautiful Girls," "The Truth About Cats & Dogs," "Gattaca," "Batman & Robin," "Paycheck" and "Be Cool." She also starred as Ulla in the 2005 movie version of The Producers opposite Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. 

SMASH was developed by NBC's Robert Greenblatt, Steven Spielberg, and Broadway producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script.

There's nothing more exciting than the opening night of a hit Broadway musical, except maybe what happens getting there. While Wicked and The Lion King pack audiences in on the Great White Way, Julia and Tom, a successful songwriting team played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle, begin work on a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. When a tenacious producer (Anjelica Houston) jumps aboard, so begins the difficult task of casting the silver screen icon.

Ivy Lynn, a tough Broadway veteran, seems like the obvious choice. But enter Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee), a young girl from Iowa with a dream of making it on Broadway who walks in and blows everyone away. So who will get the part and begin a journey that will change their lives? It's an age-old story, but a star just might be born once again.

While everyone is consumed with putting the show together, real life has a tendency of getting in the way. Julia and her husband (Brian d'Arcy James) are in the middle of a complicated adoption; the producer's husband begins divorce proceedings which could threaten the finances of the show; and the brilliant but womanizing director could derail everything if he puts the young star in a compromising position. This will be a rollercoaster ride that culminates on opening night when the audience gets to determine whether or not the show is a smash!

SMASH premieres February 6; there's no word yet on which dates Thurman's episodes will air.

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