When I tell most people that I love SMASH, they almost always assume I’m talking about Super Smash Brothers (the video game). In reality, I’m talking about the very short-lived T.V. show.  This results in confused looks as I rush to give a cliff-notes summary of the show’s insane plot. My love for SMASH began two years ago when my friend Holly recommended I watch it. She texted me asking if I had seen the musical drama, in which I (like many) told her I had never heard of the show and had no idea what she was talking about. She then proceeded to fill me in on the show as it revolved around a Broadway creative team attempting to create an entirely new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. She informed me that you see every step of the process and the drama that comes with creating an original musical.  She told me that I needed to start watching it and that as a theater kid, I would appreciate every aspect of the show.  I trusted Holly’s advice and began bringing the T.V. show.  I was immediately interested in this show, hooked from the very first line.

The process of workshopping an original musical is quite the ordeal as depicted in the show’s first season.   One of the biggest components of the show was the ongoing competition between newcomer Karen Cartwright and seasoned ensemble veteran Ivy Lynn for the coveted role of Marilyn in Bombshell.  They are both cast in the workshop production, forcing them both to try to set aside their personal feelings for the good of the production. Of course, the tension between the two never really falters. Throughout the show’s run, both characters find themselves in Marilyn’s iconic dresses yet the deep-rooted competition is always underlying.  Part of the brilliance of the show is that who you are routing for changes not only depending on the episode but also with each rewatch. The dynamic between Karen and Ivy is truly the driving force of the show and it would be impossible to imagine this story without these characters at the helm.  Some of the series’ other key players include arrogant director Derek Wells (Jack Davenport), book writer/lyricist Julia Houston (Debra Messing), and Julia’s composing partner Tom Levitt (Christian Borle).

Aside from the complicated interwoven relationships of the characters, another leading component of the show comes from its music.  As the show revolves around the creation of an original musical, the music is used to enhance every element of the story(both within the realm of the new musical as well as in the character’s personal lives). The show featured original music from Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman throughout its run. Pasek + Paul and Joe Iconis also had songs appear within the show as did other composers.  The music within this show is sung by Broadway veterans and truly raises the show to another level.  Bombshell’s soundtrack is so good that if Houston and Levitt had really composed the songs, they would have won the real Tony Award for it. Bombshell features songs such as “History Is Made At Night”, “Let’s Be Bad”, and “Don’t Say Yes Until I Finish Talking”. I truly cannot imagine SMASH without the many iconic musical numbers produced in the show’s duration.   The second season of the show introduced another musical(Hitlist) going through development, giving audiences songs such as “Broadway Here I Come”, “Rewrite This Story”, and “I Heard Your Voice In A Dream”. It would be remiss to talk about SMASH‘s discography without talking about “Let Me Be Your Star”. The iconic number became the show’s anthem appearing in numerous episodes throughout the two seasons. The song served both as a duet between Karen and Ivy as well as a solo for each of them individually. The song was nominated for a Grammy and is one of the first things many fans think of when they hear the show’s title. 

With all this being said, I think it is obvious that I am truly a fan of this show.  Despite my deep love for the show, I found it too late as it has been off the air for over a decade. Yet this has not stopped me belting Let Me Be Your Star around my house and it has not stopped my constant rewatches. SMASH (even through its many moments of intensity) is overall such a joyful and captivating show. Despite the constant competition between Karen and Ivy as well as the fight between Hitlist and Bombshell in season two, SMASH is exceptional at bringing people together. My friend introducing me to SMASH was one of the best things she has ever done.  From constantly referencing it, quoting it or better yet referring to each other as Houston/Levitt, SMASH  has deepened our friendship. It has also pushed us to become better writers and to take risks within our storytelling. While the series ending was satisfying, audience members were left feeling as though there was more story to tell.  Not only would fans of SMASH be overjoyed with a third season, but it appears as though much of the main cast would be willing to reprise these iconic roles. However, instead of bringing the show back to our screens, SMASH will be opening as a Broadway musical later this year. And let’s just say I’m not sure it’ll live up to its bombshell predecessor. 

Despite the series only consisting of two seasons, every minute of the show was extremely meticulous and calculated. They packed as much story as they possibly could into those two seasons, with shocking plot twists coming in pretty much every episode. So when I heard the news of this adaptation being in the works I was overjoyed. SMASH coming to the stage made so much sense and as a fan, I couldn’t wait to see it adapted. I had many conversations with Holly about which plotlines we thought would transfer over(Julia’s adultery, Derrek and Tom’s rivalry, Derrek’s scandal, and Ivy’s struggles with medication just to name a few). We also heavily discussed whether the musical would include plot points from the final season or if it would just be sticking to storylines revolving around Bombshell. Through all of the many conversations we shared, I never assumed the production would be going in the direction it has.  SMASH the musical will not feature the familiar plotlines of the show it won’t even feature most of the familiar characters. Karen and Ivy are the only two characters to be transferred to the stage production.   Not only have characters been renamed but completely rewritten according to audience members who snagged tickets to a workshop performance.  With these rewritten characters and the musical allegedly missing many of the key components of the hit show, can this even be considered an adaptation anymore? 

As each piece of news about the musical has been announced, I have tried to remain excited and optimistic about the transfer. However, my excitement very quickly dwindled when I was sent a TikTok of a performance of Robyn Hurder as Ivy singing “Let Me Be Your Star”.  I was eager to see her portrayal of this character and to hear her take on the song. What I was expecting to hear when I opened the video was the version of Let Me Be Your Star that audiences fell in love with all those years ago. However, it had undergone an entire revamping of tempo and style. It was also noticeable as a fan of the source material that in addition to the revamping of the song, “Let Me Be Your Star” had gone under a series of lyrical rewrites that did not feel nearly as impactful as the original. It is abundantly clear that the musical and the show will exist as separate entities nearly sharing the same name.  There is always a level of suspense for fans when an adaptation is announced.  As a fan, you want to ensure that this staged version of the story feels as though it was handled with care.  The best musical adaptations have changed, but the changes feel as though they have always been part of the story. It feels as though it is a continuation of the story in a different medium, not an entirely different book.  With all of the changes being made, this musical feels as though it is not being handled with the fans in mind at all. For a T.V. show with such a loyal fan base, the fans could have seriously increased the sales at the box office.  If this TikTok is any indicator, I won’t be the only fan turning my T.V. on to rewatch the show, instead of watching this show live on stage… 

TV version

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Musical Version