Today Tony-winner, Broadway star and BroadwayWorld.com fave Norbert Leo Butz was on set filming a guest starring role in the upcoming NBC series - SMASH and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture behind the scenes footage, interviews with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Savannah Wise and other special coverage.
Butz will play the lead character in HEAVEN ON EARTH, the 'currently running show within a show' written by the characters played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle. He will perform an original tune, entitled "The Higher You Get, the Farther The Fall" written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of which we also got a sneak peek.
Featured alongside Norbert Leo Butz (as St. Peter) in the fictional number are Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn), Phillip Spaeth (Dennis), Savannah Wise (Jessica), Tom Nelis, Jessica Lee Goldyn (Lucy), Mary Joy, Angelina Mullins, Dylis Croman, Nina Lafarga, Angie Schworer, Alison Mixon, Bernard Dotson, Borris York, James M. Iglehart, Alex Wong, Rhea Patterson, Greg Graham, Ryan Steele and Skye Mattox.
Butz joins such other exciting upcoming guest stars as Bernadette Peters, Nick Jonas, Uma Thurman & more!
The pilot episode of SMASH is avaialble today on multiple platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16. Following that launch, on January 23 the pilot will be available as streaming content on NBC.com and Hulu; on February 6, SMASH debuts on NBC.
SMASH centers on the complex and all-consuming process behind the production of an original Broadway musical. Successful songwriting duo and old friends Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) reunite to realise their dream of adapting the life story of screen icon Marilyn Monroe into a hit musical; recruiting tenacious producer Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and brilliant director Derek (Jack Davenport) to bring the production to the stage.
Casting of the title role sparks conflict and rivalry between Karen (Katharine McPhee), a youthful, inexperienced beauty desperate to find fame in the big city, and Ivy (Megan Hilty), a stage veteran determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. From its genesis, the "Marilyn" project is a rollercoaster ride of dramatic highs and lows for its cast and crew that will culminate on opening night, when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a "Smash".
The show was developed by NBC's Robert Greenblatt, Steven Spielberg, and Broadway producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script.
