A Break-up, Oppressive Heat, and Bernadette Peters! Review: Smash - "The Workshop"

Review: Smash, S1, E7 – “The Workshop”

Air date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 10/9c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

So the day has come for the prospective investors to watch the workshop for “Marilyn: The Musical” and hopefully come up with the money necessary to take the production to Broadway. Along the way, however, there are some stumbling blocks—much like there are in real life. That’s one of the things I love about Smash. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the realities of Broadway.

A Break-up, Oppressive Heat, and Bernadette Peters! Review: Smash - "The Workshop" 1

Karen's friends trying to convince her to ditch the workshop in favor of a meeting with the music producer

In “The Workshop,” I find myself disliking characters and storylines I previously enjoyed watching. One day, Karen (Katharine McPhee) cuts a demo for a famous music producer and the next, instead of ditching the workshop to meet with him, she stupidly surprisingly stays despite her friends’ encourage to go. Karen’s comment, “I couldn’t do that,” doesn’t ring true to me. All she’s ever wanted is to be a star, and instead, she opts to give up the one, and maybe only, chance she’ll get at stardom? It’s obvious when McPhee sings Colbie Caillet’s “Brighter Than the Sun,” it’s a labor of love. Her emotions jump out of the screen, enveloping you with each lyric. American Idol, you definitely got this one wrong. (As you also did with Jennifer Hudson, since we’re talking mistakes here.)

I don’t get what’s going on with Julia (Debra Messing) and Michael (Will Chase). They stand around kissing where anyone can see them, including Tom (Christian Borle) and Ellis (Jaime Cepero). At some point, they’re going to have to pay for their actions. While I don’t condone what they’re doing, I do understand the power of love—if that is what’s going on here. Perhaps it’s just lust—also a powerful emotion—but that’s still no excuse.

Emory Cohen’s Leo hasn’t impressed me much this season but in the scene where the character shouts, “You suck” to Julia, I had hope. I thought, here is the opportunity to really sink his teeth into the role. However, when Leo cries in Julia’s shoulders, this supposedly heartwarming scene does little for me. I still don’t feel a connection with this character. Cohen’s acting is too wooden for me.

A Break-up, Oppressive Heat, and Bernadette Peters! Review: Smash - "The Workshop" 2

Ivy listening to her mother's explanation of her behavior

What can I say about Bernadette Peters other than she’s brilliant! Peters does an excellent job depicting the great Leigh Conroy, Broadway star and mother to Ivy (Megan Hilty)—giving us a very realistic view of her character. Leigh is self-serving, hurtful and undermines everything Ivy does. Peters singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from the Gypsy soundtrack thrills me. And what an appropriate song since Leigh is much like Mama Rose in the musical—very controlling and unhappy. Do you buy her moving speech to Ivy about wanting what’s best for her? One short conversation does not erase a lifetime of hurt.

I’ve been wondering for a while now why Tom has taken such a dislike to Ivy’s friend Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and finally, it makes sense. He had no idea Sam’s gay! Telling Ivy, “It’s just that, ok, he’s too straight,” Tom thinks Sam is the kind of heterosexual who is uncomfortable around gay people. I wonder whether something is going to happen between these two now that Tom knows Sam’s sexual orientation. As an aside, where did Tom’s “gaydar” go? Does he fail to recognize a fellow gay because he’s been so wrapped up with the very handsome John Goodwin (Neal Bledsoe)? Tom still refuses to quantify what’s going on with John as a “relationship”—he prefers “We’re seeing each other.” Is he keeping his options open?

A Break-up, Oppressive Heat, and Bernadette Peters! Review: Smash - "The Workshop" 3

Nick (Thorsten Kaye) is smitten with Eileen and totally enjoying the workshop

I’m enjoying the relationship that seems to be developing between Eileen (Angelica Huston) and Nick (Thorsten Kaye), the bartender. It’s a nice bit of character development as it reveals a decidedly different side of Eileen. She’s going through a lot with the divorce—it’s about time she has some fun and Nick sure does seem like a fun guy. I’m just sayin’. I’m hoping this turns out to be more than a fling.

A Break-up, Oppressive Heat, and Bernadette Peters! Review: Smash - "The Workshop" 4

Ivy striking Marilyn's most famous pose during the workshop

It’s the day of the workshop and things begin to unravel. The air conditioning isn’t working, Julia tells Michael it’s over and once again, Ivy needs reassurance. As for the production, as a whole, the musical numbers are fantastic. Ivy singing the opening number gives me goose bumps and Michael’s song ,“On Lexington & 52nd,” really knocks my socks off. Chase is such a talented singer and actor. His portrayal of Michael as a man who’s been hurt by an unrequited love is spot on. But does Michael really expect Julia to leave her family? And for that matter, what about his family? I truly enjoyed the whole production—I didn’t take my eyes off the screen for one single, solitary moment.

I don’t understand why the investors don’t jump at the chance to back “Marilyn: The Musical.” Surely, it can’t be due to heat in the studio although they do fidget a lot while watching. More likely, Ivy stumbling or Karen falling off the makeshift stage is the cause. Whatever it is, Julia takes the coward’s way out and uses this as an opportunity to fire Michael. While I understand her reasoning, I don’t like it. Now, she won’t have to face her demons…or the truth—or will she? Could this come back to haunt her? I’m a little sad because I’ll miss Chase’s voice, but I understand because there’s nowhere to go with this storyline.

It looks like next week we’re in for some betrayal (rubbing hands together); I can’t wait to see what consequences unfold.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!