Smash musical set for Broadway premiere

A Smash musical is slated to make its premiere on Broadway in the 2024/25 season.

Based on the cult TV series, a workshop was presented in New York City this week.

The stage adaptation promises to deliver a mix of the harrowing and hilarious efforts involved in bringing the fictional musical “Bombshell,” about the life of Marilyn Monroe, to life, while also introducing significant changes from the television series.

The workshop showcased a star-studded cast including Brooks Ashmanskas as Nigel, Alex Brightman as Jerry, Yvette Nicole Brown as Anita, Bella Coppola as Chloe, Nihar Duvvuri as Scott, Casey Garvin as Charlie, Robyn Hurder as Ivy, Kristine Nielsen as Susan, Krysta Rodriguez as Tracy and Jonalyn Saxer as Karen.

The ensemble is further bolstered by the talents of Wendi Bergamini, Giovanni Bonaventura, Jim Borstelmann, Zachary Downer, Tiffany Engen, Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, Megan Kane, Caleb Marshall-Villarreal, Connor McRory, JJ Niemann, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, Brian Shepard, Sarah Sigman, Jake Trammel, and Katie Webber.

Renowned figures Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Steven Spielberg are leading the production as producers. The musical’s direction will be under the baton of five-time Tony-winning director Susan Stroman. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tony- and Grammy-winning duo known for their work on Some Like It Hot, Hairspray, and Mary Poppins Returns, are set to provide the score.

They will incorporate over two dozen songs crafted for the television show, along with new material. The book is a collaboration between Tony-nominated Rick Elice and Tony-winner Bob Martin, with Emmy-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse returning to lend his expertise to the stage adaptation.

Further details about the planned Broadway run are to be confirmed.