Smash (musical)

American musical

Smash

2025 Playbill Cover

Music| Marc Shaiman
Lyrics| Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Book| Rick Elice and Bob Martin
Basis| Smash (TV series)
Productions|

* 2025 Broadway

Smash is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Rick Elice and Bob Martin. Based on the 2012–2013 NBC television series of the same name created by Theresa Rebeck, the musical includes songs from the TV series and an original finale song written for the stage. Like the television series, the musical follows the creation of a musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe. The show opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 10, 2025.

## Development

[edit]

In June 2015 the original cast of the NBC series reunited in a concert co-directed by Joshua Bergasse, who also choreographed the show, and Scott Wittman. Tickets for the event were made available to fans who donated to a Kickstarter campaign to fund the concert and were sold out in an hour.[1] Series leads Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee were joined by Christian Borle, Debra Messing, Will Chase, Jaime Cepero, Brian d'Arcy James, Ann Harada, Jeremy Jordan, Donna McKechnie, Leslie Odom Jr. and Wesley Taylor.

In May 2020, shortly after a virtual cast reunion during a live-streamed concert, it was announced that a musical based solely on the plot of the series was in the works for a Broadway production. Producer Steven Spielberg, Greenblatt, and Meron are all attached as producers, with Bob Martin and Rick Elice penning the book to Wittman and Shaiman's score, and Bergasse returning to choreograph.[2] Of the announcement, Spielberg stated, "Smash is near and dear to my heart, and it seems fitting that a new musical inspired by what we did on the show would eventually come to the stage. I'm beyond thrilled to be working with this incredible creative team and my producing partners, who began the Smash journey with me over 10 years ago."[3]

On May 20, 2022, a first reading followed by a week-long workshop occurred of "SMASH: The Musical," with a script by Martin and Elice, music and lyrics by Wittman and Shaiman, and produced by Spielberg, Greenblatt, and Meron. According to Shaiman, while there are no "concrete plans" to bring the musical to Broadway, he was hopeful it would premiere on Broadway "sooner than later." Among the performers were Hilty, Krysta Rodriguez, who also appeared in the TV series, Brooks Ashmanskas, Beth Leavel, Bonnie Milligan, Daniel Breaker, Kristine Nielsen, Maddie Baillio, and Christian Thompson, with Stephen Oremus as musical director.[4][5][6]

## Synopsis

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: a full synopsis, including where each musical number is in each act. You can help by adding to it. (May 2025)

|

Based on the 2012 TV show, Smash follows the backstage chaos of Bombshell, a new musical about Marilyn Monroe. Broadway star Ivy Lynn, stressed under the pressure of such a legendary story, causes a series of roadblocks that challenge the authors, producers, director, and the understudy of the show. But it's going to open, whether the actors are ready or not! The musical contains many of the songs and dances from the original TV show. [7]

## Productions

[edit]

### Broadway (2025)

[edit]

On March 22, 2023, it was announced that Smash would officially open during the 2024–25 Broadway season with five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman directing and Bergasse choreographing, music and lyrics by Shaiman and Wittman, and a book by Elice and Martin.[8] On January 4, 2024, it was announced that Smash would have a six-week workshop starting that month, with cast members Ashmanskas, Alex Brightman, Yvette Nicole Brown, Bella Coppola, Nihar Duvvuri, Casey Garvin, Robyn Hurder, Nielsen, Rodriguez, and Jonalyn Saxer.[9] Smash began performances at the Imperial Theatre on March 11, 2025 with an official opening scheduled for April 10. Announced cast members included Hurder as Ivy, Caroline Bowman as Karen, Ashmanskas as Nigel, Rodriguez as Tracy, John Behlmann as Jerry, Nielsen as Susan, Jacqueline B. Arnold as Anita, Bella Coppola as Chloe, and Casey Garvin as Charlie.[10] The show closed on June 22, 2025 after 32 preview performances and 84 regular performances.[11]

## Musical numbers

[edit]

Act I

* "Let Me Be Your Star (Opening Version)" – Ivy, Ensemble
* "The National Pastime" – Karen, Ensemble
* "Public Relations" – Ivy, Nigel
* "Second Hand White Baby Grand" – Tracy, Ivy
* "Cut, Print...Moving On" – Ivy, Chloe, Ensemble
* "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" – Ivy, Charlie
* "Don't Say Yes Until I Finish Talking" – Jerry, Ensemble
* "The 20th Century Fox Mambo" – Karen, Ivy, Ensemble
* "Don't Forget Me" – Karen, Ivy
* "(I Wanna Be a) Smash" – Ensemble
* "Let Me Be Your Star" – Chloe

Act II

* "Entr'acte"
* "Let's Be Bad" – Ivy, Ensemble
* "Dig Deep" – Ensemble
* "(Let's Start) Tomorrow Tonight" – Jerry, Ensemble
* "They Just Keep Moving the Line" – Karen
* "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl" – Ivy, Ensemble
* "Cut, Print...Moving On (Reprise)" – Chloe, Ivy, Ensemble
* "Second Hand White Baby Grand (Reprise)" – Ivy, Karen
* "Bombshell Finale" – Ivy, Ensemble
* "Smash!" – Ensemble

|

"Never Give All the Heart" is heard as background music in the second act during Jerry's drunken antics.

## Characters and original cast

[edit]

* Ivy Lynn, a well-respected Broadway star, plays Marilyn Monroe in Bombshell
* Nigel Davies, the director and choreographer of Bombshell
* Tracy Morales and Jerry Stevens, the married book writers and songwriters for Bombshell. Jerry is an alcoholic and in therapy.
* Susan Proctor, an eccentric and elderly acting coach that Ivy hires who is dedicated to method acting
* Karen Cartwright, Ivy's best friend and understudy
* Chloe Zervoulian, associate director and choreographer
* Anita Molina Kuperman, the lead producer of Bombshell
* Charlie, Karen's husband, also portrays Joe DiMaggio in Bombshell
* Scott, Anita's assistant who is more knowledgeable in social media than musical theater

Character  | Reading[12] | Reading[13] | Staged Reading  | Broadway

|
|
|
|

2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025
Ivy Lynn  | Megan Hilty | Robyn Hurder
Nigel Davies  | Brooks Ashmanskas
Tracy Morales  | Krysta Rodriguez
Jerry Stevens  | Daniel Breaker | Alex Brightman | John Behlmann
Susan Proctor  | Kristine Nielsen
Karen Cartwright  | Maddie Baillio | Kerry Butler | Jonalyn Saxer | Caroline Bowman
Chloe Zervoulian  | Bonnie Milligan | Bella Coppola
Anita Molina Kuperman  | Beth Leavel | Vanessa Williams | Yvette Nicole Brown | Jacqueline B. Arnold
Charlie  | —  | Casey Garvin
Scott  | Christian Thompson  | Justin Cooley | Nihar Duvvuri  | Nicholas Matos

## Reception

[edit]

Smash received mixed reviews upon its Broadway debut, with critics divided over its adaptation from the cult television series. Jesse Green of The New York Times designated it a Critic's Pick, praising its transformation into "a real musical comedy" and calling it a "reclamation" of the series.[14] Others were less convinced: Jackson McHenry of Vulture criticized its safe, sanitized approach,[15] and Charles Isherwood of The Wall Street Journal found the plot convoluted and repetitive.[16] While some, like David Cote (Observer) and Christian Lewis (Variety), commended the cast and theatrical flair, others,[17][18] such as Greg Evans (Deadline) and Robert Hofler (The Wrap), took issue with the show's depiction of Marilyn Monroe and an overabundance of show-stopping numbers. Adam Feldman of Time Out New York noted the production "embraces failure" in a self-aware, almost affectionate way, and Kristen Baldwin (Entertainment Weekly) acknowledged its transition from "NBC mess" to Broadway spectacle. Across the board, the score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman garnered praise, but the book and tone drew criticism for lacking cohesion and clarity.[19]

### Awards and nominations

[edit]

Since a majority of the songs in the production were originally written for the TV series, the production is ineligible for Best Score.

Year  | Award  | Category  | Nominee  | Result

|
|
|
|

2025  | Drama League Awards[20] | Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Smash | Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Musical  | Susan Stroman | Nominated
Distinguished Performance  | Brooks Ashmanskas | Nominated
Robyn Hurder | Nominated
Tony Awards | Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Brooks Ashmanskas | Nominated
Best Choreography | Joshua Bergasse | Nominated

## Differences between TV and stage

[edit]

The stage musical is described as a comedy, compared with the more dramatic tone of the series. Ivy is no longer a member of the ensemble looking for her big break as Marilyn, but a seasoned and famous Broadway performer.[21] Karen, instead of being Ivy's main competitor for the role of Marilyn, is her understudy, but the stage version does not focus on the rivalry between the two. Several other characters are renamed in the stage version: Julia is Tracy, book writer and lyricist; Tom is Jerry, composer of the show and married to Tracy; Derek is Nigel, director and choreographer of Bombshell and Eileen is Anita, producer who used to be a dancer.[22]

New characters are introduced in the stage version, such as Susan Proctor, an Actor's Studio teacher; Chloe, a former performer and current associate director/choreographer and Nigel's right hand; Scott, son of a wealthy Bombshell investor; Holly, Bombshell's stage manager; and Charlie, actor/singer/dancer who's married to Karen and plays Joe DiMaggio in Bombshell.[23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ ""Smash" Stars Reunite for Tonight's Broadway Bombshell Concert | Playbill". December 17, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
2. ^ Coleman, Nancy (May 21, 2020). "'Smash,' NBC's Short-Lived Musical Drama, Eyes the Stage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
3. ^ Beresford, Trilby (May 21, 2020). "Steven Spielberg-Produced Musical 'Smash' Headed for Broadway". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
4. ^ Evans, Greg (May 23, 2022). "'Smash' Musical Could Hit Broadway "Sooner Than Later", Says Composer Marc Shaiman; First-Look Photos Of All-Star Reading Unveiled". Yahoo News. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
5. ^ Tomeo, Marissa (May 22, 2022). "SMASH: THE MUSICAL Has First Reading; Teases Future Broadway Run". Broadway World. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
6. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (February 3, 2022). "Musical Adaptation of SMASH Plans for Workshop This Summer". Broadway World. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
7. ^ "THE ULTIMATE LOVE LETTER TO BROADWAY IS ACTUALLY NOW ON BROADWAY!". Smash Broadway. 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
8. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (March 22, 2023). "Let It Be Your Star: Smash Confirms Broadway Bow". Playbill. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
9. ^ Malkin, Marc (January 4, 2024). "'Smash' Broadway Musical to Mount Six-Week Workshop (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
10. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (October 22, 2024). "Let Them Be Your Stars: Robyn Hurder and Caroline Bowman Will Lead Smash On Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
11. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (June 10, 2025). "Broadway's 'Smash' to Close After Getting Blanked at the Tony Awards". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
12. ^ Evans, Greg (May 23, 2022). "'Smash' Musical Could Hit Broadway "Sooner Than Later", Says Composer Marc Shaiman; First-Look Photos Of All-Star Reading Unveiled". Yahoo News. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
13. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (September 21, 2023). "Robyn Hurder, Kerry Butler Lead NYC Industry Reading of Smash Stage Musical". Playbill. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
14. ^ Green, Jesse (April 11, 2025). "Review: In a Musical Comedy Makeover, 'Smash' Lives Up to Its Name". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
15. ^ McHenry, Jackson (April 11, 2025). "Smash Is the Wrong Kind of Dud". Vulture. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
16. ^ Isherwood, Charles (April 11, 2025). "'Smash' Review: An Inside-Broadway Musical". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
17. ^ "'Smash' Is Escapist Fluff and Exactly What We Need Right Now". Observer. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
18. ^ Lewis, Christian (April 11, 2025). "'Smash' Review: TV-to-Stage Metamusical is a Fizzy, Fun Comedy With a Few Surprises for Fans". Variety. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
19. ^ Cristi, A. A. "Review Roundup: SMASH Opens On Broadway Starring Robyn Hurder and More". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
20. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 22, 2025). "2025 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
21. ^ Vizcaíno, Jeffrey (February 4, 2025). "Robyn Hurder Is Putting Her Smack on Smash". playbill.com.
22. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (January 21, 2025). "'Smash' Exclusive First Look: NBC's Cult Favorite Hits Broadway With 'So Many Twists, Turns and Surprises'". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
23. ^ Dziemianowicz, Joe (April 11, 2025). "Everything you need to know about 'Smash' on Broadway". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 14, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Smash

Episodes|

| Season 1|

* "Pilot"
* "The Callback"
* "Enter Mr. DiMaggio"
* "The Cost of Art"
* "Let's Be Bad"
* "Chemistry"
* "The Workshop"
* "The Coup"
* "Hell on Earth"
* "Understudy"
* "The Movie Star"
* "Publicity"
* "Tech"
* "Previews"
* "Bombshell"

|

Season 2|

* "On Broadway"
* "The Fallout"
* "The Dramaturg"
* "The Song"
* "The Read-Through"
* "The Fringe"
* "Musical Chairs"
* "The Bells and Whistles"
* "The Parents"
* "The Surprise Party"
* "The Dress Rehearsal"
* "Opening Night"
* "The Producers"
* "The Phenomenon"
* "The Transfer"
* "The Nominations"
* "The Tonys"

Music albums|

* The Music of Smash
* Bombshell

Original songs|

* "Never Give All the Heart"
* "The National Pastime"
* "Let Me Be Your Star"
* "The 20th Century Fox Mambo"
* "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
* "History Is Made at Night"
* "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl"
* "Let's Be Bad"
* "On Lexington & 52nd Street"
* "Touch Me"
* "Don't Say Yes Until I Finish Talking"
* "Dig Deep"
* "A Thousand and One Nights"
* "Second Hand White Baby Grand"
* "Don't Forget Me"
* "I Can't Let Go"
* "Heart Shaped Wreckage"
* "Rewrite This Story"
* "I Heard Your Voice In a Dream"

Other|

* Smash (novel)
* Bombshell (musical)
* Hit List (musical)
* Smash (musical)
* Characters

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Marilyn Monroe

* Performances and accolades
* Death

Songs|

* "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"
* "Happy Birthday, Mr. President"
* "Heat Wave"
* "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"
* "That Old Black Magic"
* "You'd Be Surprised"

Clothes|

* Pink dress
* White dress
* John F. Kennedy birthday dress

Artworks of|

* Marilyn Diptych (1962)
* Gold Marilyn Monroe (1962)
* Shot Marilyns (1964)
* Marilyn Monroe portfolio (1967)
* Marilyn Monroe mural (1981)

Films about|

* Marilyn (1963 documentary)
* The Legend of Marilyn Monroe (1966 documentary)
* Goodbye, Norma Jean (1976 film)
* This Year's Blonde (1980 film)
* Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980 film)
* Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn (1989 film)
* Marilyn and Me (1991 film)
* Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996 film)
* Blonde (2001 film)
* My Week with Marilyn (2011 film)
* Love, Marilyn (2012 documentary)
* The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015 film)
* Blonde (2022 film)

Popular
culture|

* "Candle in the Wind" (1973 song)
* Marilyn (1980 opera)
* Insignificance (1985 film)
* Taxi (1988 pinball machine)
* Calendar Girl (1993 film)
* Marilyn Forever Blonde (2007 play)
* Marilyn and Ella (2008 play)
* Forever Marilyn (2011 statue)
* "Marilyn Monroe" (2012 song)
* Smash 2012 TV series
* Bombshell
* Norma Jeane Baker of Troy (2019 play)
* "Nxde" (2022 song)
* Smash (2025 musical)

Related|

* James Dougherty (first husband)
* Joe DiMaggio (second husband)
* Arthur Miller (third husband)
* Gladys Pearl Baker (mother)
* Berniece Baker Miracle (sister)
* John F. Kennedy document hoax
* The Last Sitting
* 12305 Fifth Helena Drive

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template