The highly anticipated stage adaptation of the fan-favourite NBC series, “Smash”, is set to make its way to Broadway with rehearsals officially kicking off on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The new musical, based on the making of a fictional Marilyn Monroe bio-musical called Bombshell, is poised to be a hit with performances scheduled to begin at the Imperial Theatre in New York City on Tuesday, March 11, culminating in an opening night on Thursday, April 10, as exclusively reported by PEOPLE.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/SMASH-rehearsal-photos-012325-3-fdbd03ced32f495ba7c23d5847a50521.jpg)
Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos by showbiz photographer Jenny Anderson provide a sneak peek into the rehearsal room, capturing the cast in action. Tony nominee Robyn Hurder leads the ensemble as Ivy Lynn, a role originally portrayed by Megan Hilty on screen. The show promises a fresh take on the beloved TV series, with a new storyline crafted by book writers Rick Elice and Bob Martin, known for their previous successful works.
The cast is a star-studded lineup of Broadway veterans, with two-time Tony nominee Brooks Ashmanskas as ‘Nigel,’ Krysta Rodriguez and John Behlmann as the songwriting and book-writing team ‘Tracy’ and ‘Jerry,’ and Kristine Nielsen as acting coach ‘Susan.’ Jacqueline B. Arnold, Nicholas Matos, Bella Coppola, Caroline Bowman, and Casey Garvin, among others, round out the ensemble, adding depth and talent to the production.
The first day of rehearsals saw the cast and creative team come together under the guidance of Tony Award-winning director Susan Stroman, Emmy Award-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse, and acclaimed composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The duo is responsible for crafting Smash’s score, featuring well-loved musical theater tunes such as “The 20th Century Fox Mambo” and “Let Me Be Your Star.”
“Smash” originally premiered on NBC in 2012 and enjoyed a successful two-season run, subsequently becoming available for streaming on Peacock. The move to Broadway marks a significant milestone for the show, with EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson joining the producing team alongside industry heavyweights like Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Steven Spielberg.
The musical promises to capture the essence of the beloved TV series while offering new twists and surprises for both dedicated fans and newcomers to enjoy. With tickets now on sale, audiences can look forward to experiencing the magic of “Smash” live on stage, celebrating the glamour and drama of Broadway in a fresh and captivating way.