Liza Minnelli to Guest Star in SMASH's 'The Surprise Party' Episode, April 6

SMASH has just announced that Liza Minnelli will guest star as herself in the tenth episode of the NBC musical drama series on April 6. She will perform an original song, written by SMASH producers Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman, along with Christian Borle, who plays 'Tom'.

In the episode, Tom (Borle) plans a surprise for Ivy (Megan Hilty) in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship. Relations between Karen (Katharine McPhee), Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan), and Derek (Jack Davenport) explode just as "Hit List's" rehearsal process nears its close. While Richard (guest star Jamey Sheridan) asks Eileen (Anjelica Huston) to spend less time at work and more time with him, Julia (Debra Messing) finds herself also pulled away from "Bombshell" by an unlikely source. Leslie Odom, Jr., Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus also star. Alongside Minnelli, Jamey Sheridan and Jesse L. Martin guest star.

From Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television, SMASH stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg ("ER," "Schindler's List"). Executive producers also include Joshua Safran ("Gossip Girl"), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning "Chicago," "Hairspray"), Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey ("United States of Tara," "The Borgias"), Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray," "Catch Me If You Can"), Jim Chory (NBC's "Heroes," "American Dreams") and Theresa Rebeck ("Mauritius," "NYPD Blue").

Minnelli is one of the rare entertainers who has earned an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award. She received an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film "The Sterile Cuckoo," and soon after won an Oscar as Best Actress for "Cabaret." Her other films include "Arthur," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Lady Luck" and "New York, New York." In 1972, Minnelli won an Emmy for her bravura performance in the television special "Liza with a 'Z': A Concert for Television." She appeared in several other television specials, including "Goldie and Liza Together," "An Evening with Liza Minnelli" and "Liza from London," among others.

On stage, Minnelli has won four Tonys for her work in "Flora the Red Menace" (becoming the youngest woman ever to win a leading actress award), "The Act" and a special Tony for "Liza at the Winter Garden" Minnelli starred in the show "Liza's at the Palace..." and won the Tony as Best Special Theatrical Event in 2009. She also earned a Golden Globe for Best Actress for "Cabaret" and another for her performance in the television movie "A Time to Live." Minnelli also was presented with a Grammy Legend Award. She continues to tour around the world, and appeared frequently on the TV series "Arrested Development."

Photo credit: Will Hart/NBC

More Articles by This Author...