“The Parents” premiered on April 2nd, 2013, so Happy belated April Fools? It was written by Jordon Nardino, and directed by Tricia Brock, both new to the Smash family. The viewership fell again this week, this time by 70,000 viewers, for a total of 2.98 million.

We had only three featured songs this week, but they were all originals! From Hit List, we had Katharine McPhee’s rendition of “Broadway Here I Come,” and another Andrew McMahon original entitled, “Reach For Me” sung (and swung) by Krysta Rodriguez. From Bombshell, Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman delivered the mother-and-daughter duet called “Hang the Moon” performed by Megan Hilty and Bernadette Peters.

The role of Marilyn’s mother, Gladys, has finally been cast and rather than going with Patti LuPone, Eileen and Tom have gone with someone a little closer to home: Ivy’s mother: The Broadway star Leigh Conroy is stepping out of retirement to play the role only she could play! Ivy can only feign excitement about the casting, as her relationship with Leigh is filled with competition. 

Karen’s Dad is also in town on business, but it means that he can stop by Hit List rehearsal and attend the theatre’s gala that evening. Since the gala is Hit List’s introduction to the board members and theatre patrons, Scott Nichols wants to add the Diva’s number to the gala performance.

In rehearsal, Ivy and Leigh are dealing with the tension by being nice to each other. Too nice, in fact, that they aren’t playing any of the stakes in the book scenes. That is, until they begin to tell disparaging stories about each other in front of the entire company. But in performing a heartfelt ballad called “Hang the Moon,” both pairs of Gladys and Marilyn, as well as Leigh and Ivy seem to feel empathy for one another. The song makes Mailyn, Ivy and Julia all cry.

At the Manhattan Theatre Workshop’s gala, Karen’s rendition of “Broadway, Here I Come” goes well, but it’s Ana’s gravity-defying performance of “Reach For Me” on silks that brings the house down. And when the Arts Editor of the New York Times commends Ana’s performance, Scott Nichols wants to make the character bigger. And who does he ask to help work as dramaturg to make it happen but Bombshell writer Julia!

And while Karen’s dad isn’t initially behind her leaving Bombshell, after her gala performance he can see why she would both make the jump to Hit List and be interested in Jimmy. But Jimmy is having his own problems, including stealing from the gala’s coat check to pay off a drug dealer.

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