Between the school of drama and the Entertainment Technology Center, Carnegie Mellon churns out some top talent in the film industry!
Two Carnegie Mellon School of Drama grads are hoping that NBC's new television series "Smash" will be just that.
Christian Borle, class of '95 and a Fox Chapel native, and Megan Hilty, class of '04, have significant roles in the musical drama series that debuts at 10 p.m. Monday on NBC.
"Smash" follows the fictional story of the cast and creative team from inspiration to opening, as they work to develop the next Broadway blockbuster, a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Shot in New York City, "Smash" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the sacrifices, betrayals, schemes, triumphs and rivalries that take place in everyone's private and professional lives as the Broadway-bound production moves from first concept through out-of-town tryouts.
"It actually is a story about some people at the absolute top and some who are getting started," Borle says. "I think it's very smart and adult, and the way they folded the music into it is very smart."
Steven Spielberg initiated the idea for the show and heads the list of executive producers, many of whom have Broadway credits. Others on the list include playwright Theresa Rebeck, who wrote the pilot, and "Smash" music creators Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman, who co-created the score for "Hairspray."
Much of the show's tension and drama are focused on the competition between Hilty's character Ivy Lynn and Katharine McPhee's Karen as they vie for the starring role of Marilyn. Karen (played by the former "American Idol" runner-up) is a talented but inexperienced newcomer hoping for her big break. Ivy is a stage veteran ready to make the leap from chorus line to lead character.
"You are going to love her, you are going to hate her, root for her and want her to fail," says Hilty, describing Ivy. "These are people who are deeply flawed and wanting to do what's best."
Borle plays Tony-nominated composer Tom Levitt, who is creating the Marilyn musical with his writing partner, played by Debra Messing ("Will & Grace). Levitt fights hard to get his long-time friend Ivy cast in the Marilyn role.
Borle is best known for originating the role of Emmett Forrest in "Legally Blonde the Musical" and Prince Herbert and Not Dead Fred in "Spamalot." He last performed in Pittsburgh in 1997, with the national tour of "West Side Story" and, in 1999, with the national tour of "Footloose." The day after "Smash" finishes shooting, he will begin rehearsals for "Peter and the Starcatcher," which is headed for an April 15 Broadway opening.
Hilty, a Seattle native whom some might remember for her work in "Cafe Puttanesca" at City Theatre, made her Broadway debut as a replacement for Glinda in "Wicked" and continued in that role in the musical's national tour and Los Angeles company.
She's best known for creating the role of Doralee in "9 to 5: The Musical" on Broadway.
"What's really nice is that ('Smash' producers) are hiring a lot of theater actors," Borle says. "They really wanted to get it right."
Those familiar with the New York theater scene are likely to savor the show's authenticity and attention to detail, Borle says. Others will gain an insider's entree into auditions and dance rehearsals, and a crash course in the politics and personalities that affect them.
Although Hilty and Borle graduated from the same drama department, they knew each other only by reputation before being cast in "Smash."
They each express an admiration for the other's work.
"Working with Christian has been fantastic. I've been such a big fan of his for a long time," Hilty says. "He's an absolutely wonderful guy, as well as a creative, smart, generous actor."
Borle is similarly positive: "She's going to blow people away," Borle predicts.
Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_779824.html#ixzz1ldfrO8hC
0 comments:
Post a Comment