Smash Announces Abrupt Closing on Broadway

Sometimes, life imitates art. Smash, the musical about the hijinks-filled making of a musical, has announced it will be closing on Broadway. Smash, based on an NBC television of the same name, will play its final performance at the Imperial Theatre June 22 (after opening April 10). By the time it closes, the musical will have played 32 previews and 84 regular performances.

The show was heavily anticipated by fans of the original TV series, which ran for only two seasons on NBC. But the score was loved by theatre fans, who clamored for a stage version. Unfortunately, Smash could not find a footing in the busy theatre season. It had weeks of low box-office grosses and mixed reviews from critics (though the ). At the 2025 Tony Awards, Smash was nominated for two awards but received none.

Smash follows a group of theatre makers trying to make a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, and the struggles and moments of artistic brilliance that come with making art. The musical features a score by Tony, Emmy, and two-time Grammy winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who wrote over two-dozen songs for the television series, many of which are being used for the stage show alongside new compositions. The book is penned by Rick Elice and Bob Martin.

Concord Theatricals Recordings recently released the original Broadway cast recording of Smash, which is now streaming . The CD and vinyl are also available for preorder now, for release this summer. Pre-save the album or sign up to be notified . The album was produced by Shaiman, Grammy winner Scott M. Riesett, two-time Grammy-winning music supervisor Stephen Oremus, three-time Grammy winner Sean Patrick Flahaven, and score supervisor Samuel Hoad. The album was recorded by four-time Grammy winner Lawrence Manchester and three-time Grammy winner Isaiah Abolin, mixed by Manchester, and mastered by seven-time Grammy winner Oscar Zambrano, with art direction by Derek Bishop.

Five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman directed Smash with Joshua Bergasse choreographing. Leading the company are Robyn Hurder as Ivy Lynn and Caroline Bowman as Karen, with Brooks Ashmanskas as Nigel, Krysta Rodriguez as Tracy, John Behlmann as Jerry, Kristine Nielsen as Susan Proctor, Jacqueline B. Arnold as Anita, Bella Coppola as Chloe, Casey Garvin as Charlie, and Nicholas Matos as Scott.

The company also includes Wendi Bergamini, Sarah Bowden, Deanna Cudjoe, Daniel Gaymon, Merritt David Janes, Megan Kane, David Paul Kidder, McGee Maddox, J Savage, Jake Trammel, and Katie Webber. Swings Jacob Burns, Chelle Denton, Ndaya Dream Hoskins, Ian Liberto, Libby Lloyd, and Connor McRory round out the company. Casting is by Bernard Telsey and Kristian Charbonier.

The creative team also includes scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer Ken Billington, sound designer Brian Ronan, projection designer S. Katy Tucker, orchestrator Doug Besterman, dance and incidental music arranger Sam Davis, music supervisor Stephen Oremus, and music director Paul Staroba. Hair and wig design are by Charles G. LaPointe, and makeup design is by Joe Dulude II. 101 Productions, Ltd. serves as general manager. Johnny Milani is production stage manager.

Smash is based in part on the NBC series created by Theresa Rebeck; executive producers included Steven Spielberg, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Rebeck, David Marshall Grant, and Joshua Safran. The show was produced by Universal Television.

Smash is being produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, Meron, and Spielberg. Also on the producing team is EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, who appeared as a guest star on an episode in the series' second season.

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