‘Smash’ premiere

The cast of NBC‘s new show “Smash” gathered in New York on Thursday night to celebrate the musical drama’s Feb. 6 debut. The show centers on competing Broadway hopefuls Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) as they try out for the lead role in a new musical about Marilyn Monroe.

From left, Hilty and McPhee with costars Angelica Huston and Debra Messing at the opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Charles Sykes / Associated Press)

March 22, 2014 9:06 AM PT

“American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee plays a small-town girl going after her Broadway dreams in the Big Apple. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Megan Hilty’s Ivy Lynn has Broadway experience but wants to be a star. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Debra Messing plays Julia Houston, one of the creators of the Marilyn Monroe musical. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Angelica Huston plays Eileen Rand, a theater producer going through a divorce and looking for a fresh project. (Charles Sykes / Associated Press)

Christian Borle portrays Julia Houston’s creative partner Tom Levitt. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Raza Jaffrey plays Karen Cartwright’s boyfriend Dev Sundaram. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

No strangers to the stage, Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the “Smash” premiere. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Broadway veteran Nathan Lane attends the opening. (Andy Kropa / Getty Images)

Actress Sally Field at the “Smash” premiere. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Mamie and Grace Gummer, daughters of Meryl Streep. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Tony Danza (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Andrew McCarthy (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actress Stephanie March. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Megan Hilty, left, the “Smash” costar whose stage credits include “Wicked” and “9 to 5,” stands with Broadway leading lady Bernadette Peters. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)