In yet another meta moment for Broadway, a cult hit TV show inspired by the Great White Way will serve as the basis for a new musical production that will grace the actual stages of Broadway sometime in the future.
Smash, the 2012 NBC show that starred Debra Messing and lasted two seasons, will see a revival in a new iteration on a New York City stage, telling a similar story to that of the TV series – a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Bombshell, a fictional Broadway musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe.
The announcement comes after Wednesday’s live stream event showing a 2015 Actor’s Fund benefit concert that featured songs from the show, which also virtually welcomed back Smash stars Messing, 51, along with Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty.
New announcement: Smash, the 2012 NBC show that starred Debra Messing and lasted two seasons, will see a revival in a new iteration on the Broadway stage
Titled Smash, A New Musical, the new stage show will revive the characters of Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn, played by McPhee and Hilty in the series, as the pair of rival actresses hoping to land the lead role of Monroe in the fictitious musical.
Julia Houston and Tom Levitt, respectively played by Messing and actor Christian Borle on the original show, will also figure in the stage production, according to People.
And while it’s not yet confirmed whether those TV actors will reprise their roles for the stage, Smash’s creative team will be involved in the theatrical production – including producers Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron and Steven Spielberg.
A tale of two Marilyns: Titled Smash, A New Musical, the new stage show will revive the characters of Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn, played by Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty in the series (pictured)
‘I am personally thrilled to be a part of this musical and its road to Broadway,’ Spielberg said in a statement. ‘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 ten years ago,’ he added.
The television show also featured Anjelica Houston, Leslie Odom Jr, Brian d’Arcy James, Ann Harada, Jack Davenport, Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor in the cast.
Smash won a Primetime Emmy in 2012 for Outstanding Choreography, also receiving several accolades and nominations for its music.
Lauded: Smash won a Primetime Emmy in 2012 for Outstanding Choreography, also receiving several accolades and nominations for its music
Still to be seen: While it’s unconfirmed whether the TV actors will reprise their roles for the stage, Smash’s creative team will be involved in the production, including Steven Spielberg
And Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tony and Grammy-winning team behind many of Smash’s original songs, will provide the score for the new production.
Ahead of the announcement, Wednesday night saw a live stream of the one-night only sold-out Bombshell in Concert from 2015 that took place on Broadway at Minskoff Theater in New York City.
Messing, McPhee and Hilty reunited virtually during intermission of the streaming event, which was introduced by Chicago star Renee Zellweger.
The special benefited The Actors Fund, which is helping artists in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reunited: The announcement comes after Wednesday’s live stream event showing a 2015 Actor’s Fund benefit concert that featured songs from the show, which also virtually welcomed back Smash stars (from left) McPhee, Messing and Hilty
Giving back: The special benefited The Actors Fund, which is helping artists in need during the COVID-19 pandemic