THE SCREENING ROOM: "Smash" Star Katharine McPhee Goes Behind the Scenes of "Beautiful" (Video)

THE SCREENING ROOM: "Smash" Star Katharine McPhee Goes Behind the Scenes of "Beautiful" (Video)

By Michael Gioia29 Nov 2011

"American Idol" finalist Katharine McPhee covers Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" in the pilot episode of the upcoming NBC musical drama "Smash." Here, the actress offers a behind-the-scenes look at her music video shoot.

Advertisement

The recently released full music video of "Beautiful" can be seen here.

Although McPhee performs a cover of the Aguilera hit, "Smash," created by Theresa Rebeck (Seminar), will also include original songs written by Tony-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can).

The pilot was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and was shot in New York City with multiple stage stars including Megan Hilty (Wicked), Christian Borle (Legally Blonde) and Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek), as well as "Will & Grace" star Debra Messing.

The series, according to NBC, "centers on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroewritten by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Borle) and Julia (Messing). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit. A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty (McPhee)who is trying to find fame in the b! ig city against all oddsand stage veteran (Hilty), who's determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. A tenacious producer Eileen (Angelica Huston) discovers the 'Marilyn' project and jumps on board with a brilliant director (Jack Davenport)whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality."

"Smash" will launch on NBC Feb. 6, 2012, at 10 PM ET.

To watch the behind-the-scenes action with McPhee, look below: