'Smash' on NBC gives its regards to Broadway [Video]

 

"Smash," the new NBC comedy-drama series, is set to debut in February and the network has already started its big promotional push. The series, which is about the making of a Broadway musical, is written by playwright Theresa Rebeck and counts Steven Spielberg as one of its executive producers.

NBC recently released an extended trailer for the series, which you can watch below. "Smash" stars Debra Messing and Christian Borle as songwriters, and "American Idol" alumna Katharine McPhee as a young Broadway ingenue. The supporting cast includes Anjelica Huston, Brian D'Arcy James, Jack Davenport and Megan Hilty.

Composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are writing the music for the series.

"Smash" arrives on the coattails of "Glee," the popular Fox series about a high school glee club. Both shows explore live musical theater and the backstage drama that often comes with it.

Rebeck's latest play, "Seminar," starring Alan Rickman, recently opened on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre. The playwright is no stranger when it comes to television, having written for "NYPD Blue" and the "Law & Order" franchise.

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-- David Ng

Photo: A scene from "Smash" with Katharine McPhee. Credit: NBC