Marc Shaiman News

The new featured song from tonight's episode of NBC's musical drama series 'Smash' (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), is now available from NBCUniversal Television.

Ten schools across the nation have been selected for the second phase (Fall, 2012) of 'NBC's 'Smash': Make a Musical.' The philanthropic initiative, sponsored by NBC's hit musical drama series 'Smash' and administered by iTheatrics' Junior Theater Project, works with under-served schools across the country to stage their own productions and implement self-sustaining theater programs.

On next week's episode of SMASH, viewers will finally get their first look at 'Bombshell,' the Marilyn Monroe musical at the heart of NBC's new musical drama. The show will open for a test run in Boston. In the episode entitled 'Previews', the writing team of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank (Brian d'Arcy James) must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift (Will Chase) to his life. Dev (Raza Jaffrey) seeks reconciliation with Karen (Katharine McPhee), but explosive information about Ivy (Megan Hilty) lurks just beneath the surface. Check out 'Gotta Be a Smash' from the episode below!

Last month, it was reported that SMASH creator and executive producer Theresa Rebeck would step down as showrunner for the television show before it returns for its second season. At the time, it was indicated that Rebeck would continue writing and producing for the show, but as the writer told Vulture, she's focusing on other projects and will not return in any capacity for SMASH's second season.

On this Monday's episode of SMASH, viewers will finally get their first look at 'Bombshell,' the Marilyn Monroe musical at the heart of NBC's new musical drama.

Last night's episode of SMASH was full of surprises for the cast and crew of 'Bombshell'. If you missed any of the drama, be sure to catch up now!

Kicking off the plot-packed night, Cole Porter's classic KISS ME, KATE showbiz paean "Another Op'nin', Another Show" was given a full-bodied and exciting rendition by Christian Borle - with a gloriously accentuated arrangement courtesy of SMASH songwriter Marc Shaiman; seemingly channeling Barbra Streisand and Peter Matz - and, with that, the SMASH train left Manhattan and hit Boston for the tryout of the musical-within-the-series, BOMBSHELL. While Rebecca Duvall (Uma Thurman) may play the director of the show, Derek (Jack Davenport), better than she does her actual role in the musical - Marilyn Monroe - she is not the only member of the rich and varied ensemble on SMASH to be playing or being played (or both) - or hitting the occasional wrong note or two. With only two episodes left in Season One, the threads are being wrapped up into what is shaping up to be a pleasingly complex and colorful tapestry.

BC and Columbia Records' soundtrack from the first season of NBC's musical hit SMASH (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will be released today, May 1.

The new featured song from tonight's episode of NBC's musical drama series SMASH (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), is now available from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Columbia Records on the iTunes store at http://www.itunes.com/NBCSmash.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Sunday, April 29, 2012.

The portrayal of Edna by Lawrence B. Munsey is outstanding; more than any other Edna I've seen, Munsey brings out the femininity and vulnerability of the character without sacrificing her drag queen strut at appropriate moments.

Now, a change.org petition has launched to bring the category back, with 1545 signatures at press time including well known industry members like Lin-Manuel Miranda, George Stiles, Larry Hochman, Alex Lacamoire, Lea Salonga, Larry Blank, Ann Harada, Marc Shaiman, Celia-Keenan Bolger, Kate Shindle, Jerry Mitchell, Patti Murin, Liz Caplan, Ted Sperling, Rob Sher, Adam Pascal among many other artists, musicians and fans.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the actors after their opening night, April 19, performance of HAIRSPRAY, which recently opened at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. Check out the video below!

Playwrights' Arena with Artistic Director Jon Lawrence Rivera, the only theatre dedicated to discovering, nurturing and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with their annual fund-raiser presenting HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY: an evening of songs by local composers and lyricists on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Los Angeles Theatre Center -- our home in historic downtown Los Angeles. The special performance, which benefits the programs of Playwrights' Arena, celebrates the works of Los Angeles' most adventurous resident composers and lyricists writing for the theater today and honors Theresa Chavez & Rose Portillo (Artistic Director and Associate Director of About Productions) and Velina Hasu Houston (Playwright) with the *Lee Melville Award for their outstanding contribution to the Los Angeles theater community.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, SMASH's Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty, whose characters specnt most of the season battling over Marilyn, will both be submitted in the 'Supporting Actress' category for the 2012 Emmy Awards. Debra Messing, who plays Julia, will be the only actor submitted in a 'Leading' catergory.

La MaMa will wrap up its 50th anniversary season with a its LA MAMA 50 BIG BASH on Sunday, June 24th with an evening of performances emceed by longtime La MaMa artist Andre DeShields at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place in Manhattan), it has been announced by Mia Yoo, Artistic Director of La MaMa, and Frank Carucci, President of the La MaMa Board of Directors. LA MAMA 50 BIG BASH begins at 6:00 p.m.

On the Monday, April 30 episode of NBC's SMASH entitled 'Tech', 'Bombshell' moves to Boston. Ivy (Megan Hilty) faces trouble as Derek (Jack Davenport) finds himself drawn ever closer to Rebecca Duvall (special guest Uma Thurman), while Karen (Katharine McPhee) reaches a turning point -- she must choose between Dev (Raza Jaffrey) and the show. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) faces off against Julia (Debra Messing) over the possible return of Michael Swift (Will Chase). Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) brings Tom (Christian Borle) into the biggest battle of all - family dinner. The episode airs Monday, April 30 at 10:00 pm/ET on the NBC network. View a sneak peek below!

On Monday night's episode of NBC's musical drama SMASH entitled 'Tech', as Rebecca Duvall (Uma Thurman) gets ready to take center stage when Bombshell goes on the road to Boston, it looks like Ivy may lose Derek once and for all as the production's director looks to continue his track record of bedding his leading ladies. Ivy is overcome with jealous as she sings Rose Royce's 'I'm Goin' Down'. To get a first look at the performance, click here!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Gossip Girl's' EP Josh Safran will take the helm of NBC's freshman drama series SMASH. Safran will replace the show's creator Theresa Rebeck who gave up her post in March. Rebeck is expected to remain involved as a writer and executive producer for SMASH's second season.

The new musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro, opened last night, April 24 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT stars two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick and three-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara and is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet as the stars arrived for showtime and brings you photo coverage below!