Top-rated
Tue, Feb 5, 2013
After a successful run in Boston with Karen in the lead, "Bombshell" seems destined for Broadway, making Karen a Broadway superstar. As such, Karen is now part of the show's power team, and, based on advice she gets from Broadway star Veronica Moore, she can make whatever requests she wants to protect the material. Despite most of the cast and crew being automatically rehired for the Broadway run, Karen has the power to dismiss Ivy, who not only tried whatever she could to thwart Karen's success, but was also the reason for her break up with Dev. Ivy, in turn, does whatever she can to secure her place in the show. The road to Broadway may not be a totally smooth one as Eileen's personal life takes its toll on her professional life. Meanwhile, Julia, who has not read the reviews, is unaware that her contributions were the one heavily criticized area of the show. But she and Frank try to repair their marriage following Julia's affair, which may continue to preoccupy her thoughts.
Tue, Feb 5, 2013
Eileen's public legal problem concerning financing the show is perhaps the biggest obstacle in "Bombshell" making it to Broadway. As such, many with the show look for other professional opportunities. Derek may have problems getting another job as Rebecca Duvall's false publicity statement that she quit the show due to unwanted sexual advances by Derek leads to other actresses claiming the same. After running into another former actress colleague, Ivy contemplates getting out of the business altogether. And Karen comes across a couple of bartenders who are writing a musical, the songs which Karen loves. However, the composer, Jimmy Collins, doesn't want Karen's help, he who seems to despise her and everything about her. Meanwhile, Eileen plans on crashing an American Theater Wing dinner, where she and the "Bombshell" team are personae non gratae because of their public problems. Eileen wants to prove to the theater community that they are still alive, kicking and more than ready to take Broadway by storm. Eileen needs Tom and Julia at the function, but it may take a small untruth for Tom to get bedridden Julia, still in a depression over the dissolution of her marriage, to the function.
Tue, Feb 19, 2013
Although Bombshell is officially going back into unofficial rehearsals, Karen and Derek are still looking for other projects "just in case". Karen is still interested in helping Jimmy and Kyle get their musical at least to a stage where someone may consider staging it, with Derek being her go to person. While Kyle is optimistically hopeful that Karen can produce what she says in terms of a meeting with Derek, Jimmy is more skeptical. But Jimmy takes a risk to get some materials in preparation for that planned meeting with Derek. Derek on the other hand, turns to Veronica Moore for an unofficial audition to direct her new show, The Wiz, using a restaged number from Bombshell as that audition piece. But the fact that Jack and Julia have to change the show significantly based on a directive by Eileen may throw a wrench into Derek's plans. What's worse, especially for Julia, is that Eileen has hired Peter Gilman, a dramaturg, to give Julia advice, this move which Julia does not take lying down. Meanwhile, Ivy auditions for a new musical production of Dangerous Liaisons, and turns to Jack for advice and support on how to approach the role she covets.
Tue, Feb 26, 2013
Eileen has to decide if she will sell Nick down the river at the deposition into the illegal funding of "Bombshell". The fact that Nick has gone into hiding may make her decision easier. While the cast and crew wait in limbo as to Bombshell's fate, many, including Derek as director, Tom as musical director, and Karen and ultimately Ivy as chorus work on Veronica Moore's concert, which will be performed in 24 hours to a sold out house. Veronica wants this event to be her big break away from her sweet, ingénue image, or so she says. Despite the fact that a deal has been struck to air this concert on cable television, no one seems very happy due to competing priorities, namely those of Derek, Tom, Veronica, and Veronica's stage-mother mother, Cynthia Moore. Part of those problems may be solved by a new song for Veronica to perform that satisfies all the parties involved. Nothing in Tom and Julia's catalog fits the bill, so Karen thinks that Jimmy could write that song if there isn't one already in his and Kyle's collection. Jimmy and Kyle's pride could get in the way of this their big break. Meanwhile, Julia feels tricked once again by Peter, and she tries to find a way to get back at him, that is unless she sees that he may be right in his thinking.
Tue, Mar 5, 2013
Jerry has taken production control of "Bombshell" away from Eileen because of her legal issues, although she and the show's cast and crew are unaware that he orchestrated the publicizing of her illegalities with Ellis' help. Eileen tries to figure out a way to remain part of the production team while not kowtowing to Jerry. Regardless, there will be no show if Julia can't provide a satisfactory rewrite, her job being on the line. Julia is excited about her latest draft, which was developed with Peter's help, leading up to its official read-through, that is until Tom voices his concerns to her about Peter's possible ulterior motives. Karen is excused from the read-through, which allows her to concentrate her time on helping Jimmy and Kyle bring the first act of their musical to the Fringe Festival. They decide to do a read-through of their own with Karen's friends in attendance. What Karen does not realize until that read-through is that she has never seen or heard Kyle's text, and has no idea if it matches the quality of Jimmy's songs. Meanwhile, comedian Terry Falls finally arrives to rehearsals to assume his lead role in "Dangerous Liaisons". He wants to bring his comedic sensibilities to the role and production, which sits uncomfortably with Ivy, who believes it could jeopardize this production, what she considers her big break.
Tue, Mar 12, 2013
"Bombshell", "Dangerous Liaisons" and "Hit List" are all going through problems. Ivy asks Derek for advice on how to save "Liaisons" and/or her career if the show goes forward in its current direction as dictated by its star, Terry Falls. With "Bombshell", Eileen, who had the tie breaking vote - with Julia and Derek on one side, and Jerry and Tom on the other - decides to go with Jerry and Tom and go with an earlier, more commercial book draft rather than Julia's latest draft, which she and Derek feel is the best work she's ever done. In addition, Jerry wants to cut the first song Julia and Tom wrote for the show, and what Julia still feels is the emotional core of the show. And Jerry, who has just found out about "Hit List", informs Karen on the day of the first performance that her contract does not allow her to perform in the show, which if she decides to abide by Jerry's directive will leave Jimmy and Kyle in the lurch at the eleventh hour. These situations leave Derek, Karen and Julia with decisions about their future with "Bombshell". However, some discovered information may in turn affect the production.
Tue, Mar 19, 2013
Tom has been appointed director of "Bombshell" after Derek leaves the show. But Tom's style and vision doesn't mesh with Karen, with who the rapport becomes quietly but openly strained. In addition, Tom doesn't feel he can use Derek's choreography, and as such the new dance numbers are insipid, especially in Jerry's eyes. Eileen works behind the scenes to regain legal production control from Jerry, but even if she does achieve this goal, it may be too late for Tom, who may be fired by Jerry, especially as he still wants Derek back at the helm. Jerry's wish may become reality as Derek is having troubles letting go of "Bombshell" from his life. Julia does whatever she can to protect Tom in this situation. Meanwhile, "Liaisons" now has as its star a non-medicated and thus non-manic Terry Falls, but that still may not be able to save the production from a critical drubbing on its opening and thus imminent closure. But some within the production may not see that as a bad thing. And after its run at the Fringe, "Hit List" tries to move to an off Broadway theater, but the theater's new manager, Scott, who is an old friend of Derek's, requests that Jimmy and Kyle make some changes before he allows it to be performed on the theater's main stage. This directive does not sit well with Jimmy, who doesn't agree with it.
Tue, Mar 26, 2013
The level of collaboration at "Bombshell" and "Hit List" are taking divergent paths. Derek has his big budget sensibility in directing "Hit List" and is able to stick to his vision within the limited budget. However, that vision doesn't sit well with Jimmy, who voices his opposition. Their relationship is further negatively affected by Derek's hands off statement concerning Karen, who doesn't know why Jimmy has not approached her romantically. On the other hand, Tom, now the director of "Bombshell", wants to please everyone, especially his new star Ivy, by listening to and incorporating their ideas. However, Tom's juggling act has its own problems, especially in trying to incorporate an idea more for his own personal rather than professional reason. Derek and Tom may have to find a common middle ground for both their productions to succeed. Meanwhile, Julia is trying to mend a fifteen year estrangement with Scott. And Eileen, who has regained production control of "Bombshell", is having problems trying to drum up any positive buzz around the production. With Tom's approval, Eileen embarks on what she believes is a newsworthy idea which will most directly affect Ivy for good or more likely bad.
Tue, Apr 2, 2013
Karen and Jimmy's first night together is cut short by the arrival of her father, in town for a conference. Beyond believing that Karen is in a sexual relationship with Derek, he can't get over the fact that she left "Bombshell", a Broadway show, for experimental theater. His demeanor toward Karen and the men in her life is based on this perspective. Specifically with Jimmy, he may not be able to outrun his past, which he'd rather forget, as he becomes more famous. Meanwhile, Ivy is having parent issues of her own, with her Broadway diva mother, Leigh Conroy, coming out of retirement to accept the role of Gladys, Norma Jean's mother, in "Bombshell". Ivy and Leigh's relationship during rehearsals surprises Tom, who isn't quite getting out of them what he wants. Julia tries too hard to mend her relationship with Scott, who in turn may have a condition to the reestablishment of their friendship. And Eileen and influential New York Times Arts Editor Richard Francis consider moving their relationship from the professional to the personal.
Tue, Apr 9, 2013
Personal relations between Tom and Ivy are still strained, into which Ivy brings the cast onto her side. Wanting to mend their friendship, Tom, at the last minute as he reminded of the date, asks his friend and Ivy's idol Liza Minnelli to provide a surprise to Ivy for her birthday later that evening. Beyond Ivy already having made arrangements with her cast mates to celebrate her birthday without Tom, the evening has the potential to be a disaster for all concerned, which includes Eileen and Richard, who are testing the waters of a personal relationship. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Karen have embarked on a sexual relationship, but Karen wonders if Jimmy not wanting to tell anyone about it is a red flag. And Derek contemplates being honest with Karen about his feelings for her. While these three struggle with their as of yet unknown romantic triangle - at least unknown to Karen - Scott, Julia and Kyle work on the show without them. Their close working relationship may reignite romantic feelings that had bubbled under the surface between Scott and Julia when they were friends many years ago, while the working process may give Kyle some confidence in working without Jimmy.
Top-rated
Sat, Apr 13, 2013
Both "Bombshell" and "Hit List" have important upcoming full run throughs. "Bombshell" is doing a "friends and family" performance before going into its first preview the following day, which coincides with "Hit List" doing a run through the same day for Richard Francis, who plans to write an article on the show. A multitude of technical problems in the "Bombshell" "friends and family" performance may end up delaying the first preview show, which Tom wants to avoid at all cost as he sees a delay in preview as a public declaration of failure. Tom does whatever he needs to in six hours to correct all the technical problems to be able to satisfy Eileen to go through with the preview as planned. One of those technical problems, a wardrobe malfunction, ends up being something that Eileen and Julia want left in, as Marilyn in the nude adds a sense of vulnerability to the character. They leave it up to Ivy to decide if she will agree to this change. With Tom feeling like he alone has to provide direction to rectify the "Bombshell" issues, Julia heads to "Hit List" to continue her dramaturg work for that show. Based on Julia's suggestion, Derek makes an important change to the show's structure, which Jimmy and Karen see as Derek getting back at them for their relationship. Are they correct as to Derek's rationale? These run throughs have an unexpected public outcome.
Top-rated
Sat, Apr 20, 2013
It's "Bombshell"'s opening night, to which Eileen has provided tickets to the cast and crew of "Hit List". While trying to avoid any on-line chatter leading up to the opening, Ivy can't help but be affected by one comment that she is only a chorus girl not up to a starring role. Karen, on the other hand, isn't sure if she wants to see someone perform the role she voluntarily gave up. And even before the opening, Tom and Julia contemplate their next move, which may or may not be together as a team. Much of what happens will depend on the reviews, the Times' which may be the most important but the one which may be in jeopardy if only because of Eileen's disintegrating relationship with Richard Francis. Meanwhile, Jimmy contemplates telling Karen of his sordid past. He may be beaten to the punch as Adam hangs around more, he who is getting closer to Ana. And based on the fact that "Hit List" has sold out its entire run even before its first show, Derek and Scott contemplate taking the show to Broadway for this season, which would then place it in direct competition with "Bombshell".
Top-rated
Sat, Apr 27, 2013
Despite "Bombshell" not getting the ticket sales they were hoping, Eileen and Agnes are certain they are still on track for the show to sweep the Tonys. They just have to keep the show open until the awards, so they drum up whatever publicity they can featuring Ivy at whatever opportunity. One of those publicity items - Ivy moderating a Q&A session with Tom and Julia - may be bad timing. Tom has found out that he didn't get the "City of Angels" directing job. His belief that he would then work on "The Great Gatsby: The Musical" with Julia doesn't seem to be in the cards as Scott has already announced to his board that Julia is doing Gatsby as a play with him. This news, which happens just before the Q&A, may bring their private feud into the public realm. Eileen and Agnes' obstacle-less drive to the Tonys hits a snag when they learn that Derek and Scott are trying to bring "Hit List" to Broadway this season. Tonight's performance is perhaps the most important as it will be done in front of potential Broadway producers. But Jimmy's self-destructive behavior, which Derek in particular has to put up safety nets for, may threaten the show altogether.
Top-rated
Sat, May 4, 2013
The teams and individuals at both "Bombshell" and "Hit List" are going about their regular routines, both with regard to their respective shows and with their interpersonal relationships. This business includes Tom taking legal measures to dissolve his partnership with Julia, much to her ire, and Karen contemplating beginning a sexual relationship with Derek following her fall-out with Jimmy. But all comes to a screeching halt with the news of Kyle's death, he who was struck by a car. The team at "Hit List" is particularly hard hit by the news. The one person who isn't yet is Jimmy, who is no where to be found. However, Derek and Scott have to figure out what to do about this evening's show. Julia wants to do something special to remember Kyle which she hopes will be supported by the Broadway community despite Kyle not yet having done anything on Broadway. But Kyle's death has an unintended result, which is helped along by Jerry, much to Eileen's chagrin.
Sat, May 11, 2013
Eileen and Agnes are working hard to place "Bombshell" in the best possible light for the entire cast and crew in the lead up to the Tony nominations. One of the projects is a tribute night for Tom and Julia. Already seen by the online community as having slept her way to her current lead position, Ivy is feeling uncomfortable in her role for the tribute night - where Tom has asked her to portray a stripper - which may further kibosh her chances of a nomination. But what may be a bigger problem is Tom and Julia's partnership. News of the partnership's dissolution could spell disaster, which is not helped by Julia being preoccupied with "Hit List"'s move to Broadway, the show which is currently in previews. "Hit List"'s creative team is aware that the transition from the small downtown theater to a large Broadway theater has not been an easy one. Derek feels that part of the problem is Ana, who may just be under-performing if only due to exhaustion. He works behind the scenes to find a replacement for Ana, that replacement who is officially an understudy to give Ana some recuperation time. But Ana herself is suspicious that Derek may be working to replace her permanently, especially when she sees who Derek is auditioning.
Sun, May 26, 2013
The Outer Critics Circle (OCC) Award winners, which many see as a precursor to the Tonys, have just been announced. The results amp up the strategies each team uses in securing that coveted Tony nomination. Each of the individual members of the "Bombshell" and "Hit List" teams make some moves - some calculated, some unwitting - that may place them in a bad light, especially in how they deal with their main competition. Regardless of the OCCs, Tom may have problems getting a Tony nomination because of the less than friendly or ethical encounters he has with movie and Broadway star Patrick Dillon, who is on the Tony nominating committee. Thus it may not be good timing for Tom to admit or act upon the fact that he has a crush on "straight" Patrick, whose sexual orientation has been in question by the public. Jerry wants to use the OCCs that "Hit List" won for his advertising campaign for the Tonys, which does not include pushing for Kyle, who he says is getting no buzz. As such, Jimmy does whatever he can to lobby for Kyle. The "Hit List" team may have bigger problems because of the situation with Derek firing Ana and replacing her with Daisy, who only got the part in a blackmail on Derek. Although she cares about the awards, Ivy is more preoccupied by the news that she's pregnant. She has to decide whether she will choose motherhood or career at this important juncture, and if and how she will tell the father, Derek, with who she now feels disconnected. Another person preoccupied with other issues is Julia, who is dealing with a less than amiable divorce proceeding. Julia's relationship problems makes Eileen think about her own failed relationship with incarcerated Nick.
Top-rated
Sun, May 26, 2013
"Bombshell" and "Hit List" lead the Tony nominations with twelve and thirteen nominations respectively. Some things seem a certainty at tonight's awards ceremony, primarily that Derek, who has three individual nominations, will win nothing as he is now seen as persona non grata by the Broadway community after his public announcement of his casting couch process, the latest which led to Ana's firing and Daisy's hiring, and that he will not attend the ceremony. Since he made that announcement, he has been in hiding in his apartment, with none of his closest confidantes being able to get him out of his funk. In part because of Derek's situation, Ivy is uncertain if she will tell him that she's pregnant. Based on advice from Ivy, Karen and the "Hit List" cast decide to hold a revolt against Daisy at the Tony ceremony, their tactic which may backfire on them. The one person who may not be involved at all is Jimmy, who has decided not to attend the ceremony, but which he has told no one or his reason. Eileen, who has learned that Nick has been released from prison, goes on a search for him, he who doesn't seem to want to be found. Julia makes a decision about her divorce from Frank. And based on the Tony results, Tom decides to be a winner in love, but the object of his desire may have some say in the matter.