Smash

Set against the bright lights and backstage chaos of Broadway, Smash follows the creation of a new stage musical and the people it affects. Two young actresses, one fresh-faced and earnest, the other experienced and hungry, compete for the same leading role while the writers, producers, directors and choreographers try to shape a commercial hit. Personal relationships, career ambitions and artistic compromises collide as rehearsals, previews and press nights pile up. The show balances on-the-job drama with glimpses into the performers' private lives, keeping the focus on what it takes to turn a risky idea into a possible theatrical phenomenon, without giving away how things turn out.

Premiered in 2012, Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck and Garson Kanin. The ensemble cast includes Katharine McPhee as Karen Cartwright, Megan Hilty as Ivy Lynn, Debra Messing as Julia Houston, Jack Davenport as Derek Wills, and Jeremy Jordan as Jimmy Collins.

Smash drew attention from awards bodies for aspects like its music and choreography, earning nominations in various industry categories. While it didn't dominate major award shows, its original songs and vocal performances did receive notice from critics and some television and theater organizations.

The series helped popularize behind-the-scenes stories of Broadway on network television, bringing stage craft into living rooms that might not follow theater otherwise. Several performers, notably Jeremy Jordan and Megan Hilty, reached wider audiences thanks to the show, and some of the featured songs and rehearsal scenes sparked renewed interest in musical theater staging and casting conversations.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in a 6.4/10 vote average from viewers, with praise for the singing, several performances, and production numbers, and criticism aimed at uneven plotting and tonal shifts. Recurring themes include ambition, rivalry, creative collaboration, and the compromises artists make when art meets business, all framed by the high-stakes pressure of mounting a Broadway production.