As previously reported, "Smash," which will make its network debut at 10 PM (ET) Feb. 6 on NBC-TV, was launched Jan. 16 through digital services. Read the first Playbill "SMASH" REPORT, a recap of (and comments about) the show's pilot.
"Smash" is available on multiple platforms including Apple iTunes, Amazon Video on Demand, Xbox/Zune, Playstation, Samsung MediaHub and Vudu. As of Jan. 23, the pilot became available for online streaming via NBC.com and Hulu.
Click here to download via iTunes. Click here to download "Smash" on Amazon.
"Smash" was seen in public "consumer screenings" in ten major markets on Jan. 9 in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland and San Francisco. In Chicago, NBC had some of the cast and creative team on hand for a Q & A after the screening followed by a reception. On Jan. 11, there was a focus on the LGBT community at the Outfest Screening in Los Angeles.
From Jan. 15-30, selected American Airlines flights will show in-flight screenings of the pilot. Read the Playbill feature that introduces you to the characters of "Smash."
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The scripted drama about the subculture of musical theatre people is the brainchild of Steven Spielberg. Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, "NYPD Blue") penned the pilot episode and is the series creator. The pilot is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot).
photo by Will Hart/NBC |
Executive producer is multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg ("ER," "Schindler's List"). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning "Chicago," "Hairspray") and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey ("United States of Tara," "The Borgias") also serve as executive producers. Original songs are written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), who also serve as executive producers.
"Smash" is a production of Universal Media Studios in association with DreamWorks.
Don't expect characters to burst into songs, movie-musical style (or as they do on the TV hit "Glee"). All singing in "Smash" is expected to be in the context of performance/rehearsal/audition/recording situations. Said songs might be sweetened, however: A clip, apparently from the pilot, has surfaced, featuring Katharine McPhee's character in a piano-and-voice audition that morphs into a fantastically lit performance sweetened with orchestra, apparently to reflect what the industry folk in the room are seeing in their imaginations (musical fantasy elements like in the film "Chicago" will surface from time to time).
Check out Playbill Video's interviews with the cast and creatives of "Smash":