BWW Flashback: SMASH Wraps 2-Season Run on NBC Tonight

Earlier this month, it was announced that NBC was lowering the curtain on SMASH, and despite winning E!'s Save One Show poll, the show must close. In anticipation of the series' finale tonight, May 26 on NBC, BroadwayWorld brings you a flashback of SMASH's high (and low) notes!

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 OdomJr. ("Leap of Faith") and Krysta Rodriguez ("Spring Awakening").

The first season of SMASH told the compelling story of a heated rivalry between upcoming starlets, a writing team in need of a new hit and a Broadway producer finding her own way in a "captivating fusion of music, dance and potent storytelling" (Dorothy Rabinowitz, Wall Street Journal). From executive producer Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Schindler's List), the series followed talented newcomer Karen Cartwright (McPhee), who is up for the role of a lifetime in a new Broadway musical based on the iconicMarilyn Monroe. The only thing standing in her way is Ivy Lynn (Hilty), a seasoned theater veteran who is determined to land the part herself and will stop at nothing to realize her own dreams of fame. SMASH's first season also featured an incredible lineup of guest stars including Uma Thurman (Kill Bill: Vol 1 and 2), Broadway legend Bernadette Peters and pop sensation Nick Jonas.

Check out a look back at some of the best moments and performances from the first season below!

In Season 2, the "Bombshell" team is one step closer to achieving their Broadway dream. The Boston run was the success the team was hoping for, including producer Eileen Rand (Academy Award winnerAnjelica Huston, "Prizzi's Honor"), writers Tom Levitt (Tony Award winner Christian Borle, "Peter and the Starcatcher") and Julia Houston (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, "Will & Grace"), last-minute star Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, "American Idol") and director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, "Pirates of the Caribbean").

As they all scramble to push forward, one of the show's players finds Brooklyn natives Jimmy Collins (Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, "Newsies") and Kyle Bishop (Andy Mientus, "Carrie: The Musical") toiling away on a current-day rock musical of their own, which could either become "Bombshell's" biggest rival, or yet one more Broadway false start.

Will Eileen get away with mixing business and pleasure with her shady paramour, Nick (guest star Thorsten Kaye)? Will Julia's marriage to Frank (guest star Brian d'Arcy James) survive the revelation of her infidelity? Will actress Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, "9 to 5: The Musical") Bounce back from the shame of losing the lead role to rival Karen and bedding her fiancé in retaliation? And will Tom and Julia's long-time partnership endure the changing tides of opportunity?

On SMASH's two-hour series finale, "The Nominations" and "The Tonys", it's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard.

As Tom (Christian Borle) crosses an influential Tony Voter and Ivy (Megan Hilty) copes with some very distracting news, Derek's (Jack Davenport) past has repercussions for the entire 'Hit List' team. On Tony night, the awards might not provide the answers everyone is looking for. As Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) faces a final reckoning, Tom, Julia (Debra Messing), Derek (Jack Davenport), Karen (Katharine McPhee), Ivy, and most of all, Eileen (Anjelica Huston) wait to see if the ceremony will confirm their place in the Broadway pantheon once and for all. Rosie O'Donnell, Cheyenne Jackson, Ron Rifkin, and Bernadette Peters guest star.

Check out a sneak peek at tonight's series closer!