Smash Stars Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee

Smash Season Finale Tonight. And The Recipient Of The Marilyn Monroe Role Is….

May 14, 2012 by Masterclass Lady 13 Comments


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My bet is on Katharine McPhee! It seems logical, somehow.

However, because that choice seems too logical, perhaps the producers will opt for Megan Hilty.

Ether way, it is one or the other. Boy, am I addicted to this show! Everything about it appeals to me – the actors, the storyline, the Broadway music and, particularly, watching Katharine McPhee blossom into a superstar actress before our eyes.

If anyone was born for his role, it is Katharine, plain and simple. She has the perfect combination of vulnerability and sexuality that we so strongly associate with Marilyn Monroe.. And her voice exudes these qualities as well. Such a nuanced instrument!

Prediction: this show is either Broadway-bound or destined for the silver screen or both. And everyone will be mega stars. The music is wonderful, with contagious melodies and memorable lyrics. I love the mixture of new and cover songs. The production numbers are also so entertaining to watch.

So tune into NBC tonight at 10:00 P.M. It’s going to be a great finale.

Finally, my question to you is: Who will play Marilyn? Talk to me in the comments section.

Entertainment, Music, Singing, Smash, Television
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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13 Responses to “Smash Season Finale Tonight. And The Recipient Of The Marilyn Monroe Role Is….”

  1. Don B May 14, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    Karen (McPhee) will be Marilyn. How else could this dream end?

    I’ve followed Katharine since Idol, and her journey has been one of exceptional recognition. David Foster has showcased her at several of his events. Andrea Bocelli personally requested that she tour with him. Chris Botti introduced her at Boston Pops. She was asked to perform before the President at the White House. Clive Davis selected her to personally sing for Whitney Houston. And Steven Spielberg hand picked her for her role in Smash.

    She is indeed a rising star.

    (You can see all of the performances above on YouTube. “Somewhere” with Foster, “The Prayer” with Bocelli, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with Botti. Well worth the effort.)

    Thanks.

    Like

  2. Masterclass Lady May 14, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Thanks Don. Yes, she has been notably recognized by the biggest names in the biz. I did feature her performance with Chris Botti here:
    https://masterclasslady.com/2009/03/09/katharine-mcphees-outstanding-performance-with-chris-botti/

    Will add more performances over time. Thanks for your input.

    Like

  3. revknits May 15, 2012 at 2:23 am

    while I like McPhee a lot, Hilty hits her numbers out of the park each time, and gives a depth to her character that isn’t even written on the page.

    The finale felt a bit by the numbers. No way was Ivy gonna be Marilyn after all the set-up, and some of the plot points were bizarre — the director getting his way on the lead over the writers and producer? Don’t think so. But McPhee acted and sang well.

    Like

  4. Jessica T. May 15, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I enjoyed the finale, but I did miss a few episodes along the way. I think Megan Hilty’s character has more bite, more bad ass to her, which makes her appealing in a lot ways, too. Interesting last shot in the finale. Methinks Ivy will not perish. And I, too, want to see the whole musical!

    Like

  5. Masterclass Lady May 15, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Yes, I wonder what happens to Megan Hilty? I love her! Katharine is a gorgeous Marilyn but I love Megan’s role in the show. Now how are we supposed to wait until February 2013? Yikes!

    Like

  6. Alex May 15, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Karen was the perfect Marilyn, I could see it from the start.
    I must say I was very Impressed with Katharine’s vocal growth, those belts she hit in the song “Don’t Forget Me” really surprised me since those were her main vocal issues in her run on American Idol.

    I look forward to Season 2, it’s a shame we have to wait so long for that.

    Like

  7. Masterclass Lady May 15, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Alex – totally agree. She epitomizes all the qualities we associate with Marilyn.

    Like

  8. Idolhead Ed May 17, 2012 at 2:38 am

    Rosanne I am glad you are watching Smash. I just clicked over her from my site just to ask you if you were watching and how you like it. I’ll tell you to me it is rare wonderful television despite the whining critiques. And that final episode was one for the ages. And “Don’t Forget Me” the final song sung by Katharine is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard. I am sure the music from this will win many awards and the Emmys are just waiting. And Kat is really amazing.

    Like

  9. Chad May 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    I’ve been watching ‘Smash’ as well, and I’m glad they axed the shows original show-runner, because, honestly, if I have to sit through another ‘infidelity’ storyline, I think I’m going to throw the television against the wall. Enough’s enough. Is that the only way they know how to create drama on this show? Somebody needs to have a creativity-shake. Also, shouldn’t Ellis be charged with attempted murder? He openly admitted to putting the peanuts in the drink, knowingly. In my opinion, that has “pre-meditated” written all over it.

    The final number was great, but, the believability factor was about “0”. They must really think the viewing audience is a bunch of idiots. We’re led to believe that Julia and Tom worked on that number all day, then, 5 minutes before the curtain goes up, they run it over to Karen, the curtain goes up, and then she does the number perfectly at the end, with the orchestra, and, no rehearsal? Ummmm no. Not so much.

    I hope Karen and Derek end up together next season. Karen would actually be great for him, and they do have a chemistry. The need to just drop the entire Julia/Michael arc and move away from that. Even on the fan boards, people are refusing to watch next season because of how poorly that storyline was devised and execusted. As for Ivy, there are elements to her personality that are rather pathetic, including the fact that she slept with Derek to get the role, she didn’t win it on sheer talent. She’s also somewhat of a hypocrite. She’s angry at Derek for doing the nasty with Rebecca Duvall, yet, she turns around and sleeps with Dev the next night? She performed in a show, absolutely stoned, and it didn’t matter to her whether she ruined it or not, and she also planned and schemed against Karen, yet, this is a girl everyone is supposed to be rooting for and hoping to see succeed?

    Ivy’s not that great, imo, and definitely not deserving of playing the role of Marilyn. Marilyn was more a victim of circumstance, and she certainly didn’t go around trying to sabotage other women’s careers. Marilyn yearned for love and understanding. Ivy wants fame and fortune, and she’ll do whatever and/or whoever she can to get it.

    Like

  10. Masterclass Lady May 17, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    Idolhead Ed – I just love this show but then I am a huge Katharine McPhee fan. HUGE! She looks so much like Marilyn – it’s eerie, don’t you think?

    I am tired of all the affairs as well. Crazy. Too many sup-plots that I don’t really care about.

    And, yes, Ellis should be tried for murder you would think? Maybe that’s coming next season. Who knows? I wonder what will happen with Karen and Dev? Will Derek win her heart?

    Stay tuned, I guess….. Gonna be a long few months here.

    Thanks for stopping by to add your comments.

    Like

  11. Titina May 21, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I loved the finale so so much!
    I am also a huge fan of getting Karen and Derek together. That last scene between was chemistry heaven. Those two need to become a couple ASAP. I think Karen brings the best out of Derek and vice versa. You can tell his soft side. The way he believed in her the whole day not doubting one bit.

    When Derek said: “I do understand love”, even if it wasn´t directly to her, to me that means he really cares what Karen thinks of him.
    The way he touched her so sweetly and looked at her when she was singing. Aww. He is totally smitten and seems in love with her. I really hope he wins her heart and Dev never appears again.

    Like

  12. Don B May 21, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    Chad,

    I don’t think they only had 5 minutes to put that final song together. When Tom and Julia made that final change at the end, they only had one sheet of paper, and were making what seemed to be a correction to the lyrics. Remember, Tom said he would have the orchestration finished by 3, and that would have provided a few hours to work in practice. I’m assuming the music was finished and the majority of the lyrics were completed well before curtain.

    Like

  13. Masterclass Lady May 21, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I actually like Dev – feel sorry for the guy or something. But then, that’s me. I am interested to see the chemistry between Karen and Derek evolve even further. I miss this show already. Is it 2013 yet?

    Like

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