Watching television is one thing, but sitting in a theater as the curtain goes up and the lights go down is something else entirely. There's nothing like the feeling of watching a live Broadway musical, and NBC brings that magical feeling into living rooms across the nation with its latest prime-time offering.

Anjelica Huston stars in "Smash"

Kick off the workweek with a look at the lives of theater professionals in "Smash," airing Mondays on NBC.

It's an optimistic title for the network, which has been floundering in the ratings game lately. Luckily, NBC executive Robert Greenblatt brought the project to the network when he left cable network Showtime last year. Executive producer Steven Spielberg reportedly proposed the idea for "Smash" a couple of years ago, and Greenblatt hung on to it.

Now in its third week, the series boasts a show-within-a-show concept as it follows the process of bringing a new musical to the Great White Way. Emmy winner Debra Messing headlines as Julia, one half of a successful songwriting duo charged with writing a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Although she recently promised her husband Frank (Brian d'Arcy James) she'd focus on their efforts to adopt a child, she can't resist the lure of musical theater. Stage actor Christian Borle comes to television as Julia's professional partner, fellow songwriter Tom.

At the Centre of "Smash" is the rivalry between two potential starlets battling to play the iconic film star. Real-life Broadway star Megan Hilty is chorus girl Ivy Lynn, an experienced performer who longs for her big break. Former "American Idol" finalist Katharine McPhee stars as Karen, a naive Midwestern girl hoping to snag the debut role of a lifetime.

The biggest name on the "Smash" bill is undoubtedly Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, who brings tenacious producer Eileen to life. English actor Jack Davenport, best known to North American audiences as James Norrington in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series, tackles the role of egocentric director Derek.

Some writers and bloggers have described the show as "'Glee' for grown-ups," but executive producer Neil Meron has promised much more. If the show has an authentic Broadway feel, then it's because real-life Tony winners are working both in front of and behind the cameras. Tony winners and nominees represent the crème de la crème of stage professionals, and "Smash" has them in spades. In addition to stars Borle and d'Arcy James, both being Tony nominees themselves, the show relies on the talents of Tony nominee David Marshall Grant, who serves as an executive producer.

Behind the scenes, Tony and Grammy winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have created original songs for "Smash," which will also feature a number of existing hits. For those not in the know, they were the acclaimed songwriters behind the music for such Broadway smashes as "Hairspray" and "Catch Me If You Can," and even "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut" (1999).

Anticipating a high demand for the show's music, NBC has already announced a soundtrack deal with Columbia Records. The deal, which guarantees worldwide rights to the first season's music, was confirmed in June.

"Music is at the heart of 'Smash,'" explained Columbia executive Rob Stringer, "and with our wonderfully creative broadcast partners, we will develop innovative strategies to present this music to a huge audience."

The Tony winners don't stop at the regular cast and crew either. Bernadette Peters, one of Broadway's most celebrated performers, will appear as Ivy's mother, Leigh Conroy, a one-time theater sensation trying to live vicariously through her daughter.

"Smash" has attracted the attention of some other high-profile guest stars too. Golden Globe winner Uma Thurman has signed on to play a diva movie star who shows an interest in starring in "Marilyn." Disney darling Nick Jonas is set to appear as a sitcom star who started out on Broadway.

While the established stars may draw viewers, at the Centre of the "Smash" story is a performer with little experience. In this case, art imitates life as McPhee vies for her big break in the acting biz. Many young performers dream of hitting the big time, and the former "American Idol" singer is the embodiment of that hope.

Just as in "Idol," she's the rookie to root for, as "Smash" tells a story about a dreamer and about hope.

It's a story today's viewers seem to need. The musical offers an uplifting message to a country still reeling from job losses and financial downswings. "Smash" brings viewers a positive message in a sea of gut-wrenching crime dramas, frivolous comedies and voyeuristic reality TV.

To build on that sense of hope, NBC's "Smash" aims to make musical theater more accessible to underserved schools across the U.S. The network has teamed with iTheatrics, an organization that provides resources for teachers and schools to develop musical theater programs. In the program's initial rollout, 20 schools will have the benefit of working with Broadway professionals, who will mentor both students and teachers. Schools wishing to be part of the next cycle can apply at makeamusical.org.

Until the next generation of performers hit the stage, viewers can enjoy a little taste of Broadway in the comfort of their own homes with "Smash," airing Mondays on NBC.