Smash the television series that brings a smile to your face.
You can hear Broadway and Smash fans around the country clap their hands and squeal with excitement when news bounced around social media that the entire seasons of Smash is now available on Amazon Prime, or maybe it was just me fist pumping and yelling yes?!
Smash is a gorgeously made television series about the creation of a Broadway show based around the life of Marilyn Monroe. We are introduced to the likes of Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn played by the amazingly talented Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty. The series also features very strong cast that includes Christian Borle, Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing, Leslie Odom Jr and Brian d’Arcy James, just to name a few with cameos by a number of Broadway stars.
The series originally aired in 2012 and was executive produced by Steven Spielberg, yes that Steven Spielberg who created some of the most iconic films including Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List, just to name a few.
Smash is slightly dramatic and a very musical look into the creation of the show, Bombshell, the life of Marilyn Monroe, with the intention for it to head to Broadway. The television series highlights the inner workings of producers, writers, directors and of course the actors as they put their heart and soul into something they truly believe will be a big hit. You can see the appeal Smash has for Broadway musical theater fans.
New York City also features heavily in the television show. All the fabulous things about New York are highlighted and featured. Broadway Theaters, Sardi’s, Times Square, The Brill Building, Pearl Studios, numerous famous bars and restaurants and lets not forget the skyline at any given opportunity. You are able to fall in love with your favorite city as everything that you love about Manhattan makes an appearance at some point in the series.
Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty make this series. Watching the two of them slowly develop into Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn is thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying. Two strong, powerful performers competing for the same role, as often happens in a well written series or movie. But the dynamics between the two of them just work, not to mention the incredible vocal talents. Both these performers, when Broadway returns, need more work on the stage, just sayin’!
The re-release of Smash on Amazon Prime could not come at a more appropriate time. As we are all locked away due to this ongoing pandemic. Smash not only reminds us why we are committed to social distancing and masks, the priority is keeping the community safe.
But Smash also reminds you why you love theater and New York City. The series gives you a glimmer of hope that eventually we can get back to the things that we love in life including sitting in a theater watching a show, going around New York City taking it all in or simply having a glass of wine at a piano bar at the end of a hard day.
Smash is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.
