A Degas Painting, A Blind Date, and a Birthday Party. Review: Smash - "The Cost of Art"

Review: Smash, S1, E4 – “The Cost of Art”

Air Date: Monday, February 27, 2012, 10/9c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

Rehearsals for “Marilyn: The Musical” get underway; Eileen (Angelica Huston) finds a way to finance the show; Karen (Katherine McPhee) receives help from an unusual source; and Tom (Christian Borle) goes on a blind date. The title, “The Cost of Art,” seems to have quite a few meanings relative to the episode—the literal cost of the painting Eileen has to sell, the emotional toll selling the painting to finance the musical takes, and the lengths to which the actors, director and producer will go to make a musical great.

A Degas Painting, A Blind Date, and a Birthday Party. Review: Smash - "The Cost of Art" 1

Karen is forced to sit this one out because Ivy complains she can't hear herself

Ivy (Megan Hilty) is furious no one told her Karen’s a member of the ensemble—especially Derek (Jack Davenport)—and begins to exhibit a diva-like personality at rehearsals. Given that “Marilyn” is her first starring role, I think it’s a little early for her to be calling in favors. Truth be told, I find Ivy’s behavior unconscionable when she uses her friendship with Tom to have Karen removed from number after number during rehearsals; even worse, Tom succumbs to her requests. Shame on him!

A Degas Painting, A Blind Date, and a Birthday Party. Review: Smash - "The Cost of Art" 2

Karen can't wait to go home and try on the new clothes Bobby, Sue and Jessica helped her pick out

I’m glad Karen finally stands up for herself with Ivy’s friend Jessica (Savannah Wise) about the lack of backing she’s been receiving from the members of the ensemble. With Jessica, Bobby (Wesley Taylor) and Sue (Jenny Laroche) being Ivy’s friends, I think it’s a bit of a stretch when they come together so quickly to help Karen. However, I love the “intervention” they stage at Karen’s apartment, and the cute and friendly nickname, “Iowa,” Jessica bestows on Karen. Perhaps they don’t like Ivy’s “doing the nasty” with Derek anymore than Karen does.

I must commend Nick Jonas for his portrayal of Lyell West, a young actor who got his big break from Derek, or so Derek claims. Not only can Jonas sing (which we already knew), as evidenced by his soulful rendition of Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet,” the guy can act. I love the way Jonas slides his eyes up and down Ivy’s figure when his character tries to seduce her despite his young age. (Yes, Ivy finally gets to see Derek’s home, although not for the intimate purpose she initially had in mind.)

Tom disagrees with Derek’s assessment, claiming he’s responsible for ‘finding’ West, not Derek. This leads to a deeper rivalry between the two. It seems egos are beginning to run rampant in Smash, much as they do in real life on Broadway.

How cute is it when Tom goes on a blind date with a handsome lawyer named John (Neal Bledsoe) arranged by both Tom’s mother and John’s? Although, Julia thinks it’s lame Tom is going to miss Lyell’s birthday party to go on this date. I love her depiction of a bored yawn during their conversation—I actually giggled. Don’t you just love that Tom and John end up saying, “Yay mom!” when the date goes so well? It appears this is a relationship worth pursuing, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Bledsoe is very easy on the eyes, if you get my drift.

I’m having a bit of trouble warming up to Hilty’s characterization of Ivy. She sounds so much like Marilyn, I can’t distinguish between Ivy as Ivy and Ivy as Marilyn. Take her comment about her dress for the party when Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) tells her she looks amazing. “I do? Really? It’s a Zach Posen. I think it’s only been worn once, and the zipper works and everything!” She uses the same cutesy, breathless tone Marilyn is known for. Had I closed my eyes, I would have thought I was listening to a scene from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes or How to Marry a Millionaire rather than Ivy accepting Sam’s compliment. I know it’s good for an actor to stay in character but I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.

A Degas Painting, A Blind Date, and a Birthday Party. Review: Smash - "The Cost of Art" 3

Dennis, Ellis, Ivy, Julia and Michael perform while Tom plays piano

My heart goes out to Eileen after she decides, and is unable, to sell a Degas painting. What a hard decision that had to be for her. I understand her husband’s name is on the original bill of sale, but she should be able to do what she wants with it since it was a gift, but apparently, that’s not the way it works. Eileen isn’t one to give up on her dream though and uses the party as a means to find financing for “Marilyn: The Musical.” With Michael (Will Chase) and Ivy putting on quite a show, along with Julia, Tom, Dennis (Philip Spaeth) and Ellis (Jaime Cepero) (yes, he dances and sings), Eileen successfully works out a deal with Lyell.

Memorable lines:

Dev (Raza Jaffrey) to Karen: “Just breathe.”

Karen: “I can’t. Ivy might hear me.”

***

Karen, after Bobby, Jessica and Sue help pick out clothes for her: “So, it’s like high school—you try and look like everyone else.”

***

Bobby, about Karen’s wonderful dancing: “I’m watching her and I usually like to watch myself in the mirror.”

***

A Degas Painting, A Blind Date, and a Birthday Party. Review: Smash - "The Cost of Art" 4

Sue, Karen and Bobby in the final performance of the evening. (Jessica is unseen in this photo)

Karen, Jessica, Bobby and Sue perform the ending number, Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” and it has me smiling all the way through. Not only does Karen shine while singing, her dancing, along with the others, is flawless. Kudos to the choreographer for arranging this fun performance. What a way to end another five star episode of Smash.

Tune in to Smash, Mondays at 10/9c, only on NBC.

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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!