Marilyn Monroe News

Today Tony-winner, Broadway star and BroadwayWorld.com fave Norbert Leo Butz was on set filming a guest starring role in the upcoming NBC series - SMASH and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture behind the scenes footage, interviews with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Savannah Wise and other special coverage.

The holiday season has come to a close, and it's hard not to reflect back on the fabulous Broadway season that was 2011. Filled with new musicals, classic revivals, and a star-studded cast of the theatre industry's greatest performers, it will certainly be tough for 2012 to prove itself as a better year in theatre.

Tony-winner, Broadway star and BroadwayWorld.com fave Norbert Leo Butz is on set today filming a guest starring role in the upcoming NBC series - SMASH. Butz will play the lead character in HEAVEN ON EARTH, the 'currently running show within a show' written by the characters played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle. He will perform an original tune, entitled 'The Higher You Get, the Farther You Fall' written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Tony-winner, Broadway star and BroadwayWorld.com fave Norbert Leo Butz is on set today filming a guest starring role in the upcoming NBC series - SMASH. Butz will play the lead character in HEAVEN ON EARTH, the 'currently running show within a show' written by the characters played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle. He will perform an original tune, entitled 'The Higher You Get, the Farther You Fall' written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Check out Broadway vet and one of the show's stars, Megan Hilty, talking her audition for SMASH, what it's like returning to the stage and more!

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH? According to The Hollywood Reporter, you won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16.

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing, Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James. In the videos below, Hilty, Huston, McPhee, and Messing chat about what to expect from the show and their characters. Click below to check it out!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miserables,' 'Smash,' Idina Menzel, 'Come Fly Away,' 'Jersey Shore,' 'Legally Blonde,' Rogers Park theater history and more....

For all of those who can't get enough of SMASH, check out this new video below that details the making of the Marilyn musical within the series, written by Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), featuring interviews with team members and more!

NBC showcased its upcoming winter shows earlier this week. Along with returning hits, the network also featured SMASH, which debuts February 6. Check out the red carpet below!

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH? According to The Hollywood Reporter, you won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16.

On Twitter Watch, Debra Messing wrote 'I don't even have to think twice.Funny Girl!'RT @newworldstages @DebraLMessing If u could play the lead in any musical, which would u pick?

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

NBC's SMASH, which will be premiering on Monday, February 6th from 10-11 p.m. ET, is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a 'smash.' The series centers on the process of creating a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe - written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, 'Legally Blonde: The Musical') and Julia (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, 'Will & Grace').

The buzz surrounding the premiere has been deafening, and we have just gotten our hands on the first official full-length clips! Click below for a SMASH, episode 1 preview!

The Estate of Michael Jackson announced today that Michael Jackson will be immortalized in a hand and foot print ceremony at Hollywood's legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre on January 26, 2012, starting at 11:00am, in a giant celebration of the legacy of the King of Pop and the Los Angeles debut of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, the critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production and top grossing tour in the United States, according to Pollstar.

Due to the Saints playoff game Southern Rep has released a revised schedule for Bacchanal.

Southern Rep has announced the line-up for our 2011-2012 Season Annual NEW PLAY BACCHANAL, January 4 - 7, a non-stop, jam-packed feast of workshops, readings, and one-of-a-kind events that all celebrate world premiere new plays! Featuring the workshop and readings of this year's winner and finalists of the Southern Rep Ruby Prize, named in honor of civil rights veteran Ruby Bridges.

Tensions are rising between Smash's Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn after Karen was asked to preview a new vision for MARILYN The Musical and Ivy was informed that her replacement was inevitable. In this week's upcoming episode, it seems the tables will start to turn, as Karen and Ivy bond in Times Square. BroadwayWorld visited the Times Square set back in December when the episode was filmed to get some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the team. Check out a preview of what's to come below!

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing, Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James. McPhee has added another role to her busy schedule: Malaria No More spokesperson.