Ep 11. The Movie Star

The show Smash follows the behind-the-scenes drama of putting together a Broadway musical. In season 1 episode 11, titled "The Movie Star," the production continues to face obstacles as they head towards opening night.

The main focus of the episode revolves around the arrival of a famous Hollywood movie star named Rebecca Duvall, who has been cast as the lead in the musical. Her arrival brings a flurry of excitement and anticipation, but also creates a sense of tension and unease among the cast and crew.

Rebecca is seen as a wildcard in the production, with many wondering how her star power will affect the show's success. The director, Derek, is especially invested in her performance, as he hopes to use the musical as a way to launch a career in Hollywood. His obsession with Rebecca leads to conflict with his former lover, the show's lead actress Karen, who is becoming increasingly disillusioned with Derek's behavior.

As rehearsals continue, it becomes clear that Rebecca is struggling to adapt to the rigors of live theater. She is used to being the center of attention on a movie set, but in the theater, she must share the stage with an ensemble cast and perform without the luxury of multiple takes. Her lack of experience shows during a particularly challenging dance number, which she struggles to keep up with.

Meanwhile, the show's writers have been tasked with rewriting several songs to better suit Rebecca's voice. This leads to tensions between the writers and the rest of the creative team, who feel that the new songs are not as strong as the original ones. The debate over whether to stick with the original songs or make changes to accommodate the star continues to be a point of contention throughout the episode.

As opening night approaches, tensions reach a boiling point. Karen confronts Derek about his behavior towards Rebecca, and threatens to leave the show. The writers and creative team continue to clash over the direction of the show, with everyone feeling the pressure to make it a success.

Overall, "The Movie Star" is an episode filled with drama, conflict, and uncertainty. The arrival of a famous Hollywood star creates excitement and anxiety, as everyone involved in the production struggles to make the musical a success against the odds. As the show heads towards opening night, the future remains uncertain, leaving the characters and viewers alike on edge.