CMU School of Drama


Thursday, January 04, 2024

Broadway-Bound Smash Musical to Give NYC Workshop

Playbill: The workshop follows an industry reading late last year, though the cast has changed somewhat since then. Variety is reporting that the workshop cast will include Brooks Ashmanskas, Alex Brightman, Robyn Hurder, and Krysta Rodriguez from the earlier reading, newly joined by Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), Bella Coppola (SIX), Nihar Duvvuri, Casey Garvin (Some Like It Hot), Kristine Nielsen (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), and Jonalyn Saxer (Back to the Future). Susan Stroman (New York, New York) is directing.

2 comments:

Reigh Wilson said...

I watched the first season of the Smash tv-show a few years ago and really enjoyed it, it’s the perfect show for theater nerds since it’s all about the production process and stars a bunch of incredible theater actors. I haven’t gotten around to watching the second season yet, but I’ll probably do it soon since I’ve wanted to. I’ve heard rumors about them adapting the show for stage for the past few years so I am excited to see an actual workshop come to life. Originally I had heard ideas about them creating the actual Bombshell Musical rather than a Smash Musical, but it seems that they have strayed from that idea a bit. I think the show worked very well because of its film format so I am very interested in seeing how they adapt it, but they have a great lineup of talent apart from this workshop so far, so I'm very intrigued!

Abigail Lytar said...

Growing up I loved the TV show smash, it was just so much to watch and experience. I honestly wish more television shows like that were created. I personally still enjoy watching SMASH today, occasionally if I see it on or for free I will just rewatch it. Which is why when I heard it was headed to Broadway a few years ago, I was ecstatic. I cannot wait to see the stage production or even just learn more about the plot and technical elements. I am a little sad to hear the musical plot differs from the NBC Television show however, it is not entirely unexpected. I am excited to see what the writers have come up with that has “liberally changed” the story. I hope that after its long journey to fruition it will reach the Broadway stage very soon and I cannot wait to see what comes of the workshop in the next few months. Hopefully with some sneak peeks into the show!