In Defense of Karen Cartwright on ‘Smash’: Discussing the Show’s Two Marilyns

Smash is the musical theatre show that, over a decade ago, hooked theatre kids and introduced others to the crazy world of musical theatre. Despite lasting only two seasons, the series achieved a cult following.

Now that Smash is streaming on Peacock in anticipation of its Broadway stage adaptation, an all-too-familiar discussion has gained prominence once more.

The plot of Smash follows the development of a new musical based on Marilyn Monroe and the process of choosing the actress to portray the lead role. In the pilot, it comes down to two women. They are seasoned Broadway performer Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) and newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee).

The first season focuses on the rivalry between the two women as they compete for the part.

At first, it’s Ivy. She plays Marilyn in the initial workshop. But after the show undergoes a major restructuring, Karen ends up playing the part for the out-of-town trial in Boston.

In the second season, Ivy ends up getting the part for the Broadway transfer when Karen decides to leave Bombshell in favor of another new musical, Hit List.

From the moment we are introduced to them, it’s clear Ivy would be the right choice due to her experience and talent. She also resembled Marilyn and better embodied her.

However, Karen was talented, and she impressed everyone in the audition room. Everyone’s hesitation stemmed from the fact that Karen was “green.” In other words, she was new to the industry and didn’t have the experience to justify casting her for such a role.

There was also the financial aspect. They wanted a well-known or somewhat familiar name to be able to sell the production, and Karen didn’t check those boxes.

Still, Karen went through the entire audition process and workshops. She would not have been put through all that trouble if the creative team did not believe in her.

Most importantly, Marilyn Monroe started as an unknown who was given a chance. And that’s who Karen was: someone hoping to be given a chance. Her story was like Marilyn’s rise to fame, which was also mentioned by other characters.

A lot of actors and singers start off as “green” and reach their breakthrough when someone finally believes in them. That’s Karen, she had the talent, was putting in the work, and was noticed for it. It wasn’t her fault that she was picked over Ivy to be Marilyn. She was also worthy of playing a lead role.

Karen’s storyline was the most realistic aspect of Smash, she was a hardworking aspiring actor, who was finally recognized.

It was hypocritical of Ivy and the others to criticize her for being unfamiliar with the industry when they were like her once.

The industry is cutthroat, and not everyone is there to make friends, which is what that rivalry showcased.

Karen’s rise to fame in the TV show was also very similar to that of Broadway’s Sutton Foster. Foster was the understudy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, before having to take over the titular role at the last minute before the Broadway transfer.

What was unrealistic, in my opinion, was Ivy’s story.

Probably the biggest plot hole in the series (other than how fast they can write a musical, have an out-of-town-trial, and open on Broadway in less than six months) is how Ivy’s mother is Leigh Conroy, that universe’s Bernadette Peters, and did not have any sort of privilege.

It’s unlikely that Ivy spent ten years in the ensemble without getting a chance to understudy a lead role when her mother was that famous.

It was also unrealistic that she wouldn’t at least have more auditions for lead roles. After all, everyone else trembled at the mention of her mother.

It’s understandable that Ivy would be upset at Karen even having a shot at playing Marilyn. However, she seemed to have forgotten that she also started as a “nobody.”

Now, was Marilyn Monroe THE role for Karen? No. She made the right decision going to Hit List; that musical better suited her voice and abilities.

Still, saying that Karen was untalented and less worthy is not fair to her; she was just miscast. She then went on a journey of realization that, even though she had been chosen fairly, the role did not align with her artistic vision.

Hit List was a role that was better suited for her, and she built it from the ground up. That leap of faith paid off, she made her Broadway debut and was nominated for a Tony.

The series ended with Karen and Ivy at the height of their respective careers. Despite the intensity of the first season, it worked out for them. They also gained mutual respect for each other, which seemed unlikely at first.

Keeping that in mind, as Smash fans, we need to put the Team Ivy and Team Karen debate to rest and focus on the real problem of the series: why were they performing while wearing stilettos on a Broadway stage?

Smash is now streaming on Peacock.

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