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Broadway’s ‘Smash’ Musical Closes After Tony Awards Shut-Out
“Smash,” the meta-musical about creating a Broadway show, will end its run on June 22 after struggling to find its audience, despite years of anticipation from devoted fans. The production became the first Broadway show to announce its closing following the 2025 Tony Awards ceremony, where it failed to win either of its two nominations.
The musical managed 32 preview performances and 84 regular shows at the Imperial Theatre after opening on April 10. Based on the beloved NBC television series that ran for two seasons, “Smash” tells the story of theater makers attempting to mount a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, complete with backstage drama and artistic challenges that mirror real-life Broadway production struggles.
Despite having legendary producers Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, and Neil Meron behind the project—all veterans from the original TV series—the show couldn’t overcome mixed critical reception and disappointing ticket sales. The production received nominations for Best Choreography and Best Supporting Actor for Brooks Ashmanskas, but went home empty-handed from the Tony ceremony.
Box Office Struggles Tell the Story
The numbers painted a challenging picture for the ambitious production. During its final week, “Smash” earned only $656,161 while filling just 66% of available seats—a concerning performance for a show of its scale and production value, Deadline notes.
The musical featured an impressive creative team, including five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman as director and choreographer Joshua Bergasse, who had worked on the original television series. The score combined songs from the TV show with new material by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, according to Playbill.
Leading performances came from Robyn Hurder as Ivy Lynn and Caroline Bowman as Karen, supported by a talented ensemble that brought the fictional world of Broadway show creation to life. The production also featured Ashmanskas, Krysta Rodriguez, John Behlmann, and Kristine Nielsen in key roles.
Legacy Beyond the Stage
While the Broadway run ends earlier than hoped, “Smash” leaves behind several lasting contributions to musical theater. Concord Theatricals recently released the original Broadway cast recording, which captures the performances and songs that television fans had been requesting for over a decade.
The musical’s book was crafted by Rick Elice and Bob Martin, who worked to adapt the television series’ concept for live theater while maintaining the meta-theatrical elements that made the original show unique. The creative team included notable designers like Beowulf Boritt for scenic design and Alejo Vietti for costumes.
Executive producer Jennifer Hudson, who guest-starred in the television series’ second season, joined the producing team, adding her EGOT-winning credentials to the project. The collaboration represented a genuine effort to honor the original series while creating something new for Broadway audiences.
