Smash Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV-14
TV Episode | 44 min | Drama, Musical

Smash

Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

TV-14

TV Episode | 44 min | Drama, Musical

With their latest show "Heaven on Earth" still running on Broadway, the song and book writing team of Julia Houston and Tom Levitt have decided to take a professional break, in part to give Julia and her husband Frank time to go through an...See moreWith their latest show "Heaven on Earth" still running on Broadway, the song and book writing team of Julia Houston and Tom Levitt have decided to take a professional break, in part to give Julia and her husband Frank time to go through an adoption process and in turn allow Julia to be a stay-at-home mom. But a germ of an idea from Tom's new assistant Ellis Tancharoen leads to the thought of writing a new musical based on Marilyn Monroe. A further move by Ellis which could kibosh the idea before it even gets off the ground instead generates buzz around the new project. On board is producer Eileen Rand, who, because of divorce proceedings, is unable to continue work on what would have been her focus of a revival of "My Fair Lady". Eileen wants to hire Derek Wills to direct, much against Tom's wishes as the two hate each other. Julia and Tom believe that their friend Ivy Lynn, who currently performs in the ensemble of "Heaven on Earth", would be perfect to play Marilyn. But during open auditions, an unknown named Karen Cartwright makes an impression on Derek, enough so that she is called back. Beyond her unknown status, other things working against Karen are her New York-phobic Midwestern parents who don't agree with her choice of career, and Karen's own morals which could stop her from doing what she believes she needs to do to get the part. Written by Huggo See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
52 cast members

Name	Known for
Debra Messing Julia Houston Julia Houston See fewer	Will & Grace (1998)
Jack Davenport Derek Wills Derek Wills See fewer	Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Katharine McPhee Karen Cartwright Karen Cartwright See fewer	Smash (2012)
Christian Borle Tom Levitt Tom Levitt See fewer	The Bounty Hunter (I) (2010)
Megan Hilty Ivy Lynn Ivy Lynn See fewer	Smash (2012)
Raza Jaffrey Dev Sundaram Dev Sundaram See fewer	Homeland (2011)
Jaime Cepero Ellis Boyd Ellis Boyd See fewer	Smash (2012)
Anjelica Huston Eileen Rand Eileen Rand See fewer	The Grifters (1990)
Brian d'Arcy James Frank Houston Frank Houston See fewer	Spotlight (I) (2015)
Becky Ann Baker Mrs. Cartwright Mrs. Cartwright See fewer	A Simple Plan (1998)
Dylan Baker Roger Cartwright Roger Cartwright See fewer	Happiness (1998)
Michael Cristofer Jerry Rand Jerry Rand See fewer	Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Robert LuPone Jerry's Attorney Jerry's Attorney See fewer	Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
Joshua Bergasse Josh Josh See fewer	Smash (2012)
Phillip Spaeth Dennis Dennis See fewer	Hairspray (2007)
Savannah Wise Jessica Jessica See fewer	Smash (2012)
Annaleigh Ashford Lisa McMann Lisa McMann See fewer	Masters of Sex (2013)
Emory Cohen Leo Houston Leo Houston See fewer	Brooklyn (2015)
Kate Clinton Director Director See fewer	The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)
Maddie Corman Rene Walters Rene Walters See fewer	Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Eisa Davis Abigail Abigail See fewer	Mare of Easttown (2021)
Finnerty Steeves Moira Moira See fewer	Orange Is the New Black (2013)
Jake Wilson Casting Assistant Casting Assistant See fewer	Taste So Good (The Cann Song) (2022)
Tim Wright Dave Dave See fewer	Ned Kelly (2003)
Ashley Blair Fitzgerald Dancer Dancer See fewer	Isn't It Romantic (2019)
Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines Dancer Dancer See fewer	Memphis the Musical (2011)
Jessica Lee Goldyn Dancer Dancer See fewer	Meet Dave (2008)
Afra Hines Dancer Dancer See fewer	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
Curtis Holbrook Dancer Dancer See fewer	Hairspray (2007)
Nadine Isenegger Dancer Dancer See fewer	Meet Dave (2008)
Thayne Jasperson Dancer Dancer See fewer	Hamilton (2020)
Keith Kuhl Dancer Dancer See fewer	Babylon (I) (2022)
Spencer Liff Dancer Dancer See fewer	So You Think You Can Dance (2005)
Colby Q. Lindeman Dancer Dancer See fewer	Isn't It Romantic (2019)
Michael McArthur Dancer Dancer See fewer	Smash (2012)
Christopher Mai Dancer Dancer See fewer	College Road Trip (2008)
Vivian Nixon Dancer Dancer See fewer	500 Days of Summer (2009)
Justin Prescott Dancer Dancer See fewer	Smash (2012)
Liz Ramos Dancer Dancer See fewer	Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
J. Manuel Santos Dancer (as Manuel Santos) Dancer (as Manuel Santos) See fewer	Smash (2012)
Alex Michael Stoll Dancer Dancer See fewer	A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)
Larry Trice Dancer Dancer See fewer	Smash (2012)
Rickey Tripp Dancer Dancer See fewer	Eileen (2023)
Alex Wong Dancer Dancer See fewer	Isn't It Romantic (2019)
Alain Ackerman Stage PA (uncredited) Stage PA (uncredited) See fewer	Corruption (2007)
Marc I. Daniels European Tourist (uncredited) European Tourist (uncredited) See fewer	Saving You, Saving Me (2019)
Helmy Lavezzari Pedestrian (uncredited) Pedestrian (uncredited) See fewer	My Heart Beats for Lola Volcán (2011)
Raymond Mamrak Bartender (uncredited) Bartender (uncredited) See fewer	Z.E.R.O. (2012)
Marilyn Monroe Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Self (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	Some Like It Hot (1959)
Mark Steiger Theatregoer (uncredited) Theatregoer (uncredited) See fewer	Limitless (I) (2011)
Odette Warder Theatregoer (uncredited) Theatregoer (uncredited) See fewer	Night Bird (2012)
Steven Weisz Doorman (uncredited) Doorman (uncredited) See fewer	St. Vincent (2014)