‘Smash’ star Megan Hilty to perform with Boston Pops

By June Wulff, Globe Staff

Before you plop onto the sofa to welcome “Smash” back into your life Tuesday night, make a note in your calendar that on May 23 one of the show’s stars, Megan Hilty, will perform with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. At this gig, the beautiful blonde won’t have to look over her shoulder to see if her rival, Karen, (played by Katharine McPhee) is waiting in the wings.

Now back to the show...

So many questions are unanswered from Season 1 of TV’s “Smash.” Will “Bombshell” make it to Broadway after a successful tryout in Boston? Will Julia’s marriage survive? Will Ivy cling to the show biz vine after losing the title role to Karen? Let’s hope we get the answers during tonight’s two-hour season premiere on NBC (which tonight stands for Neverending “Bombshell” Caper in honor of the show’s “show”).

For you “Smash” virgins, the musical drama chronicles the highs and lows _ in and behind the scenes _ of mounting a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe called “Bombshell.” The stars returning for round two include Debra Messing, McPhee, Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, and Anjelica Huston.

Guests joining them throughout the season will include Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”), Emmy-winner Sean Hayes (“Will & Grace,” “Promises, Promises”), Jesse L. Martin (“Law & Order,” “Rent”), Harvey Fierstein (“La Cage aux Folles”), and Nikki Blonsky (“Hairspray”).

Globe music critic Sarah Rodman recently visited the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights where the cast was rehearsing.