NBC's SMASH and Katharine McPhee Sign with Columbia Records

According to Deadline.com, NBC just signed a deal with Columbia Records to release the soundtrack for the highly anticipated new series 'Smash.' Additionally, leading lady and American Idol alum Katharine McPhee has also signed a recording contract with Columbia.

NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt commented on the partnership: "Our Columbia Records partners will guide the soundtrack of Smash into a big component of the show's success." Columbia Chairman Rob Stringeradded, "Music is at the heart of Smash, and with our wonderfully creative broadcast partners, we will develop innovative strategies to present this music to a huge audience."

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The show, which is about a group of people who come together to put on a Broadway musical 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 - whose latest venture, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, is now running at the Neil Simon Theatre - wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script.

The pilot episode has been excitedly screened for NBC executives over the past weeks. The plot will follow an out-of-town tryout of a Broadway musical, and centers around a songwriting team (Debra Messing and Christian Borle) who write a musical about Marilyn Monroe based on an offhanded remark. They post a showstopping number on YouTube. When it's a viral hit, a producer (Anjelica Huston) who's looking to recapture success long past decides to produce the musical. There are two choices to play Marilyn: Karen (Katharine McPhee), a talented young newcomer, and Ivy (Megan Hilty), a theater veteran. Brian d'Arcy James has also been cast as Debra Messing's character's husband.