Photo Flash: First Look - SMASH March 5 Episode 'Let's Be Bad'

On the March 5th episode of the new NBC musical drama SMASH entitled "Let's Be Bad", Karen (Katharine McPhee) finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev (Raza Jaffrey) at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael (guest star Will Chase) and Julia (Debra Messing) heats up, as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and Tom's (Christian Borle) ambitious assistant Ellis (Jaime Cepero) forge an alliance. Ivy (Megan Hilty) senses trouble in her relationship with Derek (Jack Davenport). Will Chase and Broadway's Ann Harada guest star.

NBC's new musical drama series, SMASH was developed from an idea of Executive Producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg. The show explores the subculture of musical theatre; celebrating the beauty and heartbreak of Broadway.

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing, Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James.

SMASH centres on the complex and all-consuming process behind the production of an original Broadway musical. Successful songwriting duo and old friends Tom (Borle) and Julia (Messing) reunite to realise their dream of adapting the life story of screen icon Marilyn Monroe into a hit musical; recruiting tenacious producer Eileen (Huston) and brilliant director Derek (Davenport) to bring the production to the stage. Casting of the title role sparks conflict and rivalry between Karen (McPhee), a youthful, inexperienced beauty desperate to find fame in the big city, and Ivy (Hilty), a stage veteran determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. From its genesis, the "Marilyn" project is a rollercoaster ride of dramatic highs and lows for its cast and crew that will culminate on opening night, when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a "Smash".

The show 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 wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script.

View photos of the upcoming episode below!

Photo credit: Will Hart, Patrick Harbron/NBC