Entertainment superstar Liza Minnelli – winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, an Emmy and multiple Tony Awards – will guest-star as herself in NBC's musical drama SMASH in the upcoming season, and will sing an original song with series star Christian Borle that was written by the show's celebrated composer and lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
The announcement was made today by
Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
"
Liza Minnelli is the essence of a multi-talented, singular show business sensation, particularly for her extraordinary contributions to Broadway," said Greenblatt. "So what could be more fitting than to have her legendary talent on a show that celebrates a world Liza has dazzled for decades? I had the pleasure of working with Liza when we restored her landmark television special 'Liza With a Z' at Showtime, and to see her artistry up close and personal is a thing to behold."
Minnelli's episode is titled "The Surprise Party" and will air later in Spring 2013.
"Smash" returns to the NBC lineup for a second season on Tuesday, February 5 (9-10 p.m. ET) and will continue in its regular time slot on Tuesday, February 12 (10-11 p.m. ET). Minnelli joins other notable guest stars that have been announced for the show's next season, including
Jennifer Hudson,
Jesse L. Martin and
Sean Hayes.
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."
"Smash" is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a Broadway star. The series stars Emmy Award winner
Debra Messing ("Will & Grace"), Oscar winner
Anjelica Huston ("Prizzi's Honor"),
Jack Davenport ("Pirates of the Caribbean" films), Tony Award winner
Christian Borle ("Peter and the Starcatcher"),
Katharine McPhee ("American Idol"),
Megan Hilty ("9 to 5: The Musical"), Tony Award nominee
Jeremy Jordan ("Newsies"),
Andy Mientus ("Spring Awakening"),
Leslie Odom Jr. ("Leap of Faith") and
Krysta Rodriguez ("Spring Awakening").
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"). The series' 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 ("Heroes," "American Dreams") and
Theresa Rebeck.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
