Broadway Vet Will Chase to Appear on NBC's Smash, Opposite Debra Messing

Broadway vet Will Chase will join the already Broadway-heavy roster of Smash, the new NBC TV show set around the drama of producing a Broadway musical. Chase has been cast in the recurring role of Steven, who has a history with the lyricist character played by Debra Messing. The eagerly anticipated new series will also feature Angelina Huston, Katharine McPhee (American Idol) and Broadway favorites like including Megan Hilty, Christian Borle and Brian d’Arcy James.

Chase’s Broadway credits include Billy Elliot, The Story of My Life, Rent, High Fidelity, Lennon, Aida, The Full Monty and Miss Saigon. His film and TV credits include Rescue Me, Royal Pains, White Collar and the upcoming Pan Am, along with Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway, Everyday People, Shaft, Cupid, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Third Watch, Guiding Light and All My Children.

Based on an idea by executive producer Steven Spielberg, Smash follows the trials and tribulations of producing a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Borle stars as the Broadway composer writing the musical alongside his lyricist pal, played by Messing. The show also features Huston as a theater producer, d'Arcy James as Messing's husband, and Hilty and McPhee as dueling divas.

The first episode of Smash will air on February 6, 2012. The pilot was directed by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot), written by playwright Theresa Rebeck and features original songs by the Tony-winning team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), who also serve as producers.