PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

If there were a sing-off between Glee and Smash, who would win? “It depends. Do you like your songs with a little more honey? I think maybe we’re a little more Frank Sinatra; Glee is a little more Red Hot Chili Peppers.” —ANJELICA HUSTON

—KATHARINE MCPHEE

You write the music for the show. Let’s talk about the songs ... “We’re writing a song right now as we speak. We could do it about this red carpet and call it ‘Smashed.’” —MARC SHAIMAN

—DEBRA MESSING

Have you ever had a horrible director, like the one you play on the show? “Not quite, no. I’ve suffered at the hands of a few Machiavellian people in my time. I’m not listing any of them, though—I’d probably end up in court.” —JACK DAVENPORT

—MAMIE AND GRACE GUMMER

So you’re the guy in the show who gets to play Joe Dimaggio ... “I think it’s because I resemble Joe Dimaggio so much! Just kidding. It’s great, because I play a Broadway star who wants to be on television. Come on: life, art, art, life.” —WILL CHASE

—SARAH JESSICA PARKER

Would you want to guest on Smash? “Yeah! I’d like to play some freaky janitor or something. Just some janitor all the chicks want. Like if they can’t hook up with the director, they hook up with me.” —JUDAH FRIEDLANDER

—AARON CARTER

You and Anjelica have both played Morticia in The Adams Family— “But we’ve never talked about it! I’ve never met her. Is she here? I don’t think she wants to talk to me about Morticia—she’s got other things on her mind.” —BEBE NEUWIRTH

—ABIGAIL BRESLIN

Do you remember the first Broadway show you saw? “Oh, one of the first I ever saw was the original Hair. I was wild and crazy. That was my life. I loved it.” —VICTOR GARBER

—UMA THURMAN

Where did you like shooting in New York City most? “In Times Square, at night, on a Friday night. There’s so much adrenaline and excitement.” —CHRISTIAN BORLE

—BERNADETTE PETERS

Do you ever sing in the shower? “I warm up in the shower. I just do technical stuff, scales.” —MEGAN HILTY