Garson Kanin has been marinating in the theater since before most of us were ever in an audience…. [In his eighth] novel, "Smash"—the story of the development, from auditions to opening, of a fictitious Broadway musical ("Shine On, Harvest Moon")—he relates his theatrical tale with the facility of a master, someone who has seen it all and can still smile with affection at this world of magic and mania.

Mr. Kanin puts the narration into the mouth of novice production secretary Midge Maghakian, whose Journal and Company Bulletins chronicle the dizzying interactions among an evil producer ("The Barracuda"), vulnerable director, tortured composer, blindingly narcissistic star, heroic and lovable writer (who captures Midge's heart), and other members of the company. It's hard to say which is more complex, the painstaking construction of that many-dimensioned art form, the musical show, or the network of intrigue and emotional games...