“I just wish I could play that part!” sing the hopeful performers who want nothing more than to be a Broadway star, in NBC’s newest show.

Smash, which premiered on February 6, follows the production of a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and two women striving for the main role as Marilyn herself — Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty). After the show’s producers cut countless potential Marilyns, these aspiring starlets are the only girls left standing.

The producers of the musical, Derek Wills (Jack Davenport), Julia Houston (Debra Messing), and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle), find themselves in heated arguments as they attempt to agree on which woman to pick for the role; the confident Ivy Lynn has many years of performing experience, and emulates Monroe with her light blonde hair, yet Karen is exactly the fresh, somewhat naïve character they are looking for.  So which to choose?

In the first episode, Smash already demonstrated many of the scandals involved in show business. An assistant working on the project records Ivy Lynn singing on his phone, and leaks it to the internet in his excitement to be involved in such a production.  Soon after, Derek Wills asks Karen to perform the racy, “Happy Birthday” scene with him in the privacy of his own home late at night–as he says, to prove to him that she can be a convincing Marilyn.  Thankfully, the already taken Karen knows when to draw the line.  Only one episode into the first season and the story is already heating up.

But the drama doesn’t stop with the Marilyn Monroe production. Tensions in the characters’ personal lives also add interesting twists to the show.  Julia Houston and her husband are set on adopting a child, a process which is taking what feels like an eternity to them.  However, Julia’s workaholic tendencies as well as her passion for the theatre– much in contrast to her husband’s hatred of the theatre– lead to frequent disagreements between her and her husband. Such issues that come with producing a major Broadway show as well as the conflict in the lives of the characters behind the scenes are sure to keep audiences interested.

And of course, you can’t forget the element that really defines the show: the music!  In the premiere, McPhee delivers stunning performances of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.

As the season continues, there is no doubt that there will be many more amazing renditions of pop songs and show tunes to feast your ears on, not to mention the scandal and excitement that comes with producing a musical.  Haven’t seen Smash?  It’s not too late! Tune into NBC this Monday at 10 PM to join in on the drama.