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The Surprise Party

43 min | 2013

With guest star Liza Minnelli in tow, Tom (Christian Borle) plans a surprise for Ivy (Megan Hilty) in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship.

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With guest star Liza Minnelli in tow, Tom (Christian Borle) plans a surprise for Ivy (Megan Hilty) in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship.

Season 1

Episode 1

Pilot

The hit-making Broadway writing team of Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) unites with producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) to create a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and seasoned chorus girl Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) vies with newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) for the dream role.

Episode 2

The Callback

Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) as they pursue the role of a lifetime.

Episode 3

Enter Mr. DiMaggio

The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone’s first choice, Michael (guest star Will Chase), has a secret.

Episode 4

The Cost of Art

Karen must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek hosts a party for hot young star Lyle. Eileen tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom goes on a first date.

Episode 5

Let's Be Bad

Karen finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael and Julia heats up, as Eileen and Tom’s ambitious assistant Ellis forge an alliance. Ivy senses trouble in her relationship with Derek.

Episode 6

Chemistry

Ivy faces major problems as her voice begins to fail her. Julia struggles to avoid Michael - but she can’t. Eileen explores her inner hipster at a downtown dive bar with her new pal Ellis, while Karen is an even bigger fish out of water, as she books a side gig at a bar mitzvah on Long Island.

Episode 7

The Workshop

Everything comes to a head as Eileen, Derek and the team present 'Marilyn The Musical' to would-be investors. Ivy is under pressure to perform, while her mother, Broadway star Leigh Conroy, undermines her at every turn. Karen must decide between the workshop and a meeting with a big-time music producer. Julia and Michael must face up to the consequences of their actions.

Episode 8

The Coup

Grace Gummer and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic guest star.

Episode 9

Hell on Earth

The team begins their pursuit of a marquee star, as Eileen charges Tom and Julia with finding a title for the newly reinvigorated musical. Karen and Ivy find themselves in competition again -- this time for an orange juice commercial. Relationship troubles abound, as Frank makes an unwelcome discovery.

Episode 10

Understudy

The show has landed a star, the mercurial Rebecca Duvall, but Eileen is thrown into a panic when Rebecca gets stuck in Cuba. Derek puts Karen in as understudy, but she must learn to perform under extreme pressure as he threatens to break her will.

Episode 11

The Movie Star

"Bombshell" is turned upside-down by the arrival of movie star Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman).

Episode 12

Publicity

Karen (Katharine McPhee) finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman) -- but can Rebecca be trusted?

Episode 13

Tech

"Bombshell" moves to Boston.

Episode 14

Previews

"Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman). The team of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank (Brian D'Arcy James) must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift (Will Chase) to his life.

Episode 15

Bombshell

The big night is finally here. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) forever.

Season 2

Episode 1

On Broadway

Back from a successful run in Boston, Eileen, Julia and Tom are blindsided by both personal and professional obstacles as they seek to take 'Bombshell' to Broadway. Karen consults her new mentor, Broadway star Veronica "Ronnie" Moore (guest star Jennifer Hudson), as she finds herself on the brink of fame, but her success may come at cost to Ivy.

Episode 2

The Fallout

Bombshell returns to New York in hopes of landing a theater for its Broadway debut, but a new scandal puts its fate in jeopardy.

Episode 3

The Dramaturg

Partnerships are tested as Eileen asks Tom and Julia to contend with an unwelcome new collaborator, while Jimmy and Kyle prepare to present their work for the first time.

Episode 4

The Song

Derek calls in help for a special event, but Jimmy's pride might get in the way of a huge opportunity Karen orchestrates for him and Kyle.

Episode 5

The Read-Through

Julia's fears increase when Tom airs his suspicions of Peter. Jimmy and Kyle confront their own crisis of confidence as Hit List is read for the first time.

Episode 6

The Fringe

Derek (Jack Davenport) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) find themselves at a surprising crossroads, forcing one of them to make a difficult choice.

Episode 7

Musical Chairs

New circumstances give rise to conflicts as Karen, Tom, Julia, and Derek adjust to their new surroundings. Tensions at Liaisons are also coming to a boil, ensuring that the show will find its place in Broadway history. Meanwhile, Eileen may have found the key to saving Bombshell with the help of her daughter, Katie (guest star Grace Gummer).

Episode 8

The Bells and Whistles

When Ivy (Megan Hilty) brings Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.), back to town, Tom (Christian Borle) finds himself in an awkward situation.

Episode 9

The Parents

After Leigh Conroy (guest star Bernadette Peters) joins the cast of Bombshell, Tom (Christian Borle) finds himself struggling to diffuse the years of tension between her and Ivy (Megan Hilty).

Episode 10

The Surprise Party

With guest star Liza Minnelli in tow, Tom (Christian Borle) plans a surprise for Ivy (Megan Hilty) in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship.

Episode 11

The Dress Rehearsal

As Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race to ready Bombshell for previews, Tom's eagerness to prove himself may not be the best thing for the show.

Episode 12

Opening Night

It's Bombshell's opening night. As Ivy's (Megan Hilty) nerves get the better of her, support comes from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) look to their next project.

Episode 13

The Producers

An off-the-rail Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) threatens Hit List's future, as Karen (Katharine McPhee), Derek (Jack Davenport), Ana (Krysta Rodriguez) and Kyle (Andy Mientus) try to help him before something bad happens.

Episode 14

The Phenomenon

An unexpected event bonds both Bombshell and Hit List.

Episode 15

The Transfer

With his sights set on the Tony, Tom (Christian Borle) pulls out all the stops at a Houston and Levitt tribute night, but can Julia (Debra Messing) turn away from Hit List long enough to help? Ivy (Megan Hilty) is afraid of damaging her reputation when Tom asks her to perform a risque number. The cast of Hit List is rocked by a betrayal close to home.

Episode 16

The Nominations

It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom (Christian Borle) crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy (Megan Hilty) copes with some very distracting news, Derek's (Jack Davenport) past has repercussions for the entire Hit List team. Part 1.

Episode 17

The Tonys

It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom (Christian Borle) crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy (Megan Hilty) copes with some very distracting news, Derek's (Jack Davenport) past has repercussions for the entire Hit List team. Part 2.

Details

Actor
Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Jr., Krysta Rodriguez, Anjelica Huston
Director
SJ Clarkson
Writer
Julie Rottenburg, Elisa Zuritsky