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"Smash" is more than just the first TV show Jaime Cepero has ever been in. It's a lot like his life.

The new NBC series is set behind the scenes of a Broadway musical-in-the-making. Songs are written, money is raised, production numbers are mounted, unknown actors get their big breaks. Unknowns like Cepero.

The actor had performed in a few New York workshop productions, the touring company of "Porgy & Bess" and a few regional theater shows. But he was down on his luck when he auditioned for "Smash."

"Yeah, it was a pretty rough month for me when I was going through callbacks for this," he said. "I was staying with a friend at the time. I was out of money. I was sleeping on her floor."

But he won the role of Ellis Tancharoen, the assistant to composer Tom Levitt (Christian Borle, "Legally Blonde: The Musical"). As the series begins, Ellis is a fresh-faced kid who suggests turning Marilyn Monroe's life into a Broadway musical — and "Smash" is off and running. Making dreams come true. Just as it did for Cepero.

"I cried when they told me I got the part," he said. "It was amazing. This has been, like, 60 dreams come true for me."

"Smash" is "Glee" for grown-ups, or Broadway for Middle America. Whatever the description, it's one of the best shows to hit TV this season.

It tells the story of how an idea becomes a musical. Ellis proposes "Marilyn," and it sparks something in Tom and his partner, lyricist Julia Houston (Debra Messing, "Will & Grace"). Soon producer Eileen Rand (Oscar-winner Anjelica Huston) is interested, and she draws in talented-but-difficult director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, "Pirates of the Caribbean").

They've all got backstories and lives, but their jobs consume them.

And a pair of incredibly talented women battle for the lead. In this corner we have Broadway veteran Ivy Bell (Megan Hilty,"Wicked" and "9 to 5: The Musical"), and in this corner we have newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, "American Idol").

The producers like to compare "Smash" to "The West Wing." And "Smash" is a continuing workplace drama about smart, ambitious people determined to get ahead and be the best. There's original music from the team of Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray," "Catch Me If You Can").

It's hugely entertaining. It's loaded with Broadway talent. And, according to everyone involved, it rings true.

"There are so many people here that come from this world that it keeps it very authentic," Hilty said. "I can't tell you how many times I've been backstage, looking around, going, 'Where's the camera? There needs to be a camera here.' Because the drama that happens behind the curtain is way more interesting than what's happening on the stage."

Shaiman added: "Everything on the show is really very authentic. Not authentic to the point of boredom, but everyone is very committed to making it the way it really is."

Which means some of the actors would like to do a bit more. Maybe sing. Maybe dance. Even if, right now, they're playing the composer's assistant.

"Would I want to be in the production numbers?" Cepero said. "Are you kidding? It's so hard for me to watch this stuff. I just want to do it all. But I'm standing next to Jack Davenport and Anjelica Huston. I'm doing scenes with these people. It's out of control. It's fantastic."

spierce@sltrib.com; facebook.com/nowsaltlake —

The backstage story of 'Smash'

The series "Smash" premieres Monday, Feb. 5, at 9 p.m. on NBC/Channel 5.