Let them be your stars! Smash only lasted for two seasons, but that was enough time for it to develop a cult following — and a real-life Broadway musical.
The musical drama was premiered on NBC in February 2012, following a group of producers who were working on a Broadway show called “The Musical Drama.” BombshellBased on Marilyn Monroe’s life, Debra MessingJulia Houston, the co-writer of the fictional musical, was a Broadway star. Christian BorleAs composer Tom Levitt, he appeared.
Producers fought over Monroe’s role as the musical was put together. Ivy Lynn (Megan HiltyKaren Cartwright (or ), a veteran theater veteran.Katharine McPhee), an inexperienced upstart from Iowa who nails her audition.
Smash was critically acclaimed when it premiered, but reviews — and ratings — went downhill as the show progressed. After only 32 episodes, NBC pulled the series from its schedule in May 2013. SmashThe show became a cult classic because the online fan base was active. The show was also mentioned on several other TV shows, such as in a 2017 episode. GirlsElijah (Andrew Rannells) auditioned for a musical with his rendition of “Let Me Be Your Star,” arguably Smash‘s most famous song.
“Coming from that Broadway world, I know all of those people who are on that TV show,” the Girls 5EvaStar spoke with us during a March 2017 interview Jimmy Fallon. “I knew all those folks, and it was a show that everybody watched.” Rannells added that legendary Broadway composer Marc ShaimanHe was first hired in the musical by his father, the composer of the tune. Hairspray.
In 2015, SmashCast reunited for a sold-out, one-night-only performance called Bombshell at Concert. They performed the same event in 2020, benefitting The Actors Fund (a charity that supports performing arts workers in crisis).
Speculations about a Broadway version of the story. Smash have circulated for years, and in May 2022, Shaiman claimed that the project is still “alive and kicking” after many delays. “We have no concrete plans yet,” the Tony Award winner wrote via Instagram at the time. “This was just the first reading, but I think I can safely say that, unless the world ends soon, you really will get to see Smash on Broadway sooner than later!”
Continue scrolling to see the cast. SmashSince the show ended in 2013, has been doing this.