Monthly Archives: April 2012

Katharine headlined the launch of the Partners in Preservation initiative in New York City yesterday.  Partners in Preservation is a community-based program which provides preservation grants for local historic places, sponsored by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Kat performed a stunning rendition of “New York, New York” at the event in front of holographic images of a selection of New York City’s many beautiful, historic landmarks.  Check out the performance below!

Just a few days after wrapping the first season of SMASH at the end of March, Katharine headed over to Africa as celebrity ambassador for non-profit organization Malaria No More.  Recently, Kat wrote a blog for Huffington Post discussing her time in the country and the importance of supporting charities like Malaria No More.  Everyone can truly make a difference!  This is a must-read — click here to check it out.  Below is an excerpt from her journal:

The best part was when a group of young school children put on a skit about malaria. The kids cast me in the role of Assistant Doctor, but I was given strict instructions that they had been rehearsing for a long time and I had to stick to the script. This meant I was powerless when a young actor got sick from malaria. I couldn’t save him with medicine; he had not slept under a mosquito net, and had not gotten tested in time for treatment to work.

Still buzzing about the phenomenal music from Smash‘s most recent episode — entitled ‘Publicity’?  Katharine performed two fantastic numbers, including an epic Bollywood number with co-star Raza Jaffrey and company.  We can’t stop watching it!

The song featured in the number is original track “A Thousand and One Nights”, written and composed by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.  The song can be purchased for your listening pleasure on iTunes now — click here!

Katharine’s amazing cover of Snow Patrol‘s “Run” was also featured in the episode.  You can take a listen to the full studio version over at PopCrush!  The track will be featured as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the SMASH soundtrack, which will be available at Target.

First of all, I apologize for the complete lack of updates over the past month.  Life has gotten hectic and blah, blah I’m sure you guys don’t want to hear about me!  So, let’s get back to Katharine — lots to catch up on!

The first soundtrack compilation for SMASH will be released under Columbia Records next Tuesday, May 1st.  It is aptly titled “The Music of Smash” and features 13 songs from the first season of the show, a mix of originals and covers.  From the track list, Kat’s songs on the soundtrack include the originals “Touch Me” (produced by Ryan Tedder), “Let Me Be Your Star” (featuring Megan Hilty), and “The 20th Century Fox Mambo”.  Covers by Kat are “Beautiful”, “Stand” (featuring Leslie Odom), “Shake It Out”, and “Brighter than the Sun”.

Pre-ordering: You can pre-order the soundtrack now through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Head over to AOL First Listen to hear all of the tracks in full!

Deluxe Edition: Also, an exclusive deluxe edition will be available through Target.  It includes 5 bonus tracks — including Katharine’s covers of “Our Day Will Come” and “Run”.  Click here for ordering information on that version!

WATCH: In ‘The Movie Star’, episode #11 of SMASH, Rebecca Duvall makes her movie star entrance and turns “Bombshell” and its cast and crew upside-down as her diva antics come into play — but not before Derek has a mesmerizing fantasy of Karen as Marilyn Monroe performing a sultry cover of “Our Day Will Come”.  Is Rebecca  truly the woman he wants being the star of the show?

Katharine’s rendition of “Our Day Will Come” will be featured as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the SMASH soundtrack, which will be available exclusively at Target beginning on May 1st.

WATCH: Episode #10 of SMASH, called ‘The Understudy’, encompasses Karen’s promotion from ensemble member to understudy for the lead role of Marilyn Monroe in “Bombshell” after the show’s new Marilyn, movie star Rebecca Duvall — played by Uma Thurman, gets stuck in Cuba.  Karen must quickly learn how to be a star as Derek puts immense pressure on her.  Derek, however, quickly begins to see an inner Marilyn in Karen.  She performs a lovely original, entitled “Never Give All the Heart”, at the end of the episode!

PURCHASE: Grab a copy of the episode over at iTunes!  While you’re there, purchase the emotional original number “Never Give All the Heart” as performed by Kat!

WATCH: Catch up on the ninth episode of SMASH, entitled “Hell On Earth” below!  Karen (Kat) highlights from the episode include a hilarious orange juice commercial gig and an impromptu Times Square performance of Rihanna‘s “Cheers (Drink to That)” with Ivy (Megan Hilty).

PURCHASE: Loved it?  You can now get the episode on iTunes so you can watch it anytime you want!  “Cheers (Drink to That)” as performed by Katharine and Megan is also available for purchase on iTunes — click here to buy it and add it to your playlist!

We absolutely loved tonight’s episode of SMASH!  What did you think?  Post your thoughts in the comments or in the tagboard!

One of the highlights of the episode was Karen (Kat) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) performing a cover of Rihanna‘s “Cheers (Drink to That)” in Times Square!  You can purchase a copy of their fun version of the track on iTunes now!  Click here to check it out.