Smash: The Callback

Well. That was fast. An episode that opened with Karen, a Marilyn hopeful, daydreaming about singing on open-mic night in front of the musical’s creative team, ended in a similar fashion, but with Ivy, the cast Marilyn really singing on the stage to an adoring and celebratory crowd. Yes, in episode 2, Smash cast its Marilyn for the workshop.

Key word being workshop. Even though producer Eileen would like to fast-track the production to Broadway instead of let it develop over 4-5 years, the norm in the theatre world, it wouldn’t be unheard of to swap out workshop Marilyn for someone else when it was time to open on the Great White Way. I mean Stephanie J. Block workshopped the character of Elphaba, but it was Idina Menzel who performed the Wicked role all the way to Tony gold. Heck, understudy Sutton Foster snatched the leading role of Millie, in Thoroughly Modern Millie from Erin Dilly during pre-Broadway tryout rehearsals. Basically, what I’m trying to say here, is that #TeamKaren has no reason to panic.

But let’s backtrack. Before Ivy was given the role, the two girls were brought in for callbacks. Karen was up first and she was asked to show off her dancing skills. I don’t know if you caught this from the pilot, but Karen is … green. In case you forgot, Derek mentioned it again about 8 or so times throughout the episode. Derek also sounds suspiciously like Severus Snape, no?

The episode also built on B and C storylines introduced in the pilot.

Julia and her husband Frank proceeded with their adoption plan, only to find out it may take two years to get their baby. This made Frank question their plan (because he’ll be two years older in two years and that’s … unacceptable and changes everything /sarcasm) but ended up coming around by the end, after he told Julia he’s going back to work as a high school science teacher.

Eileen ran into her ex-husband who inquired about her involvement with the Marilyn musical. I predict we’ll see Eileen run into some divorce-related cash-flow problems in the near future, which will affect the musical.

Dev played the role of wonderful boyfriend, even though Karen stood him up at a very important dinner with his boss because her callback work ran late, and held her after she lost the role to Ivy.

Speaking of Ivy, she slept with Derek right before getting the role. Oddly this doesn’t bother me. Maybe because I’m so fervently on #TeamIvy.

While I don’t mind a good underdog story, I much prefer it when the person who’s worked hard to get to where they are comes out on top. Why shouldn’t the girl who’s spent 5+ years on stage in ensemble and supporting roles not get the lead? Even if she doesn’t get to keep it (see my earlier point re: workshop), I’m very happy to see her have her moment.

And that about wraps the episode. See you back here for Episode 3?

Favourite scene: In the hallway right before the final callback. Karen and Ivy are there, and Tom, Ivy’s friend and Julia arrive. Tom and Ivy’s friend run past Karen to hug Ivy. Julia sees this, looks at Karen, sitting lonesome and awkward, and chooses to sit next to her and offer well wishes. I absolutely loved this. This scene alone has sold me on Julia because who hasn’t been there, and had their own Julia. Or at least wanted one.

For the Broadway nerds: Did you freak out at seeing Jessica Lee Goldyn for a hot second? How about Jordan Roth, Tom Kitt or Doreen Montalvo? And did you enjoy when Savannah Wise‘s character walked by Rock of Ages on 44th as much as I did?

Photo Courtesy of NBC