Fade In On a Star…

Last week, Bombshell bombed in previews. Julia and Tom were charged with coming up with a new ending but Julia was too mad at Tom for being a professional. Karen and Dev reconcile and get engaged. But he left the ring in Ivy’s room after their night of drunken sex. Rebecca ended up drinking a smoothie laced with peanuts and was rushed to the hospital. Bombshell is stuck in hell as they await news of their leading lady. So they go to church where Sam and Karen sing gospel and Julia and Tom make up. Rebecca recovers but decides this was a sign she shouldn’t do Bombshell and quits. That leaves one question: Who is Marilyn?


This week, we start fifteen minutes before the curtain goes up. Tom and Julia work on something and rush to give the changes to Linda. They ask her to give it to Marilyn. We then see the camera go through the hallways as people wish the camera good luck…in theater terms, of course. The camera hits its mark and the curtain rises.


12 Hours Earlier

And It Explodes

Last week, Derek and Eileen decided to test out another direction for Marilyn the Musical. It bombed. They decided to go with a star, sending Ivy back to the chorus and Michael to the curb.


This week, Eileen wants a star! And Ellis is determined to get her one. So he networks and works hard to get “Rebecca Duvall” onboard. He even flirts with a male assistant to do so! Apparently, Ellis is bi, I guess.

Kill the Director

Last week, Marilyn the Musical had its workshop! And it had its ups and downs. Bernadette Peters played Ivy’s hard-to-please mother. Backers showed up and it was sweltering! In the end, the critics weren’t too kind to Marilyn. The creatives decide to sack Michael and look to the future.


This week, radio silence. Julia and Tom haven’t heard anything from Eileen. Julia is really worried so Frank sings to her. It’s not Brian d’Arcy James’ best performance but there is a promise of a proper performance from him later in the season to look forward to. In his bedroom, Leo can hear the song and smiles, thinking all is well.

Everything’s Coming Up…

Last week, Ivy’s voice gave out. She went on prednisone and went a little crazy. Tom and Sam took care of her before she dumped Derek at rehearsal. Karen took a bar mitzvah for Jessica, who took it for Ivy, and gets a call from a top music producer. Julia and Michael crossed the point of no return and had sex. And Eileen got closer with that rat Ellis and met Thorsten Kaye.

This week, it’s time for the workshop performance of “Marilyn the Musical”! And the boiler is broken so the performance space is sweltering. Eileen yells at Brad Oscar, who is playing the building manager. But he can’t get a plumber in just yet to look at it. Eileen is frustrated and goes to the bar. Nick (Thorsten Kaye) says there is a guy in the building who can fix the boiler, except he’d have to do it on the down low. Eileen stops drooling long enough to agree to it.

Hallucinating Marilyn

Let me start by saying that I was thrilled to see Thorsten Kaye’s name pop up in the credits. The soap lover in me yelled “ZACH!”

Last week: Karen was a sexy Marilyn to get information for her boyfriend. Ivy confronted Derek and we found out Sam is gay. Michael decides he wants Julia, pursues her and then kisses her in front of her son. Who Tom had to have his date bail out of prison.

Let’s Be Bad

Last week, rehearsals for Marilyn began! Ivy was queen bee and Karen felt isolated. Then some chorus members took her under wing as Derek threw a party. And a Jonas brother showed up.

This week, rehearsals continue. Except they are hitting some snags. The workshop is less than two weeks away and Julia still hasn’t finished the script. It’s a bit difficult when her husband is calling her every five minutes from his teacher’s retraining retreat. Or if she wasn’t fighting the attraction she feels toward Michael. He tells her he has some concerns about how she’s writing DiMaggio and they go out after rehearsals to discuss this. And share an apple pie—namely, Julia eats all his whipped cream on him. She gets a call but doesn’t recognize the number. So she does what most people do—lets it go to voice mail.

Welcome to the Chorus Line

I feel like a bad theater nerd. I couldn’t come up with a better “A Chorus Line” reference for the title. I apologize.


Last week: The show found it’s Joe DiMaggio in Michael Swift.


This week: Rehearsals begin for “Marilyn, the Musical.” Oh, hey, the assistant in rehearsals is Ann Harada AKA Christmas Eve from “Avenue Q”!


Cast Members AB Has Seen Live


Christian Borle
Will Chase
The dancer from “Grenade”
Michelle Federer
Ann Harada

Jumpin’ Joe DiMaggio

Last week, Ivy got the lead in “Marilyn the Musical.”

This week, Derek’s meeting Karen in a posh restaurant. He asks her how she’s doing now that she’s not Marilyn. She says she’s fine and she’s good with being in the ensemble. Derek tells her she should be pissed and Karen’s clearly flummoxed. I’ve noticed some people on the internet don’t like how Karen’s not thrilled to be in the ensemble, which is a big step for her. But I can understand it. We don’t know how much time has passed between episodes. Karen may not have gotten over the disappointment of not getting the lead just yet.

A Letter

Dear Broadway, 

Could you please find a vehicle for Will Chase that doesn't close within days or weeks? It would be much appreciated. He's a fine talent--a gorgeous voice, a great actor and has a good sense of comedy. I've loved him since the disaster that was Lennon--when bad musicals happen to a good cast. So please, please, let him have his own hit. 

Thank you. 

Sincerely,

Me.