Marc Shaiman Done w/ Theatre?

I totally get his disappointment, but hope he changes his mind regarding "I won’t put myself through this ever again" though I'm excited for the book!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKw9CWUM9Uy/

I just completed my memoirs, and in the Prologue, I recount an experience at The Oscars that led me to say that show business likes to put you on a pedestal on Tuesday, just to get a better shot at your balls on Thursday.

Well, just this past Sunday night, Scott & I were riding high from Cynthia Erivo's sensational performance at the Tony Awards of the Opening song we wrote with Benj and Justin.

And then - right on schedule, two days later - the announcement was made that SMASH would be closing on Broadway after only 10 weeks.

Lou & Samuel both commented on my Zen-like reaction. I had to tell them they were mistaking humiliating defeat as Zen.

There is so much more to say (read my book this January!) but for now I will just say that there is not a more talented cast than the one performing SMASH for 16 more performances at The Imperial Theatre. And you’d be a fool to miss them.

And as far as my aforementioned humiliation is concerned, yes, this closing is devastating, but I do know the person I try to be and I do know what I’ve accomplished in this business for the last the fifty years and I’ve nothing to prove to anyone.

But I won’t put myself through this ever again. As Bette Midler and I said in this short film we made many, many tears ago…”Why Bother?”

Updated On: 6/11/25 at 11:25 AM

Seems the link doesnt work or his post has been deleted? All that to say...I LOVE Marc and his style of composing, it's the ****ty books he keeps aligning himself with in my opinion.

Ew. That post is giving off Lempicka closing night speeches vibes. Bitter man. That's show biz!

To clarify I did see Smash. I liked it. I can't imagine why people expect shows to keep running if sales are so bad, and another show wants to use that theater.

Any Broadway show’s closure is a bruising experience, especially when you’ve been with those songs for about fifteen years. Nothing he wrote is out of line.

I know he spoke about having a good deal of heartbreak over SOME LIKE IT HOT, too, which had a longer run but still closed after just a year and lost money.

It can be hard when your first real Broadway show is HAIRSPRAY, which is a dreamy and better-than-usual experience of making a show.

A bit of time away from theatre to recharge and come back with a great idea could do him good. I love Shaiman & Wittman scores!

Updated On: 6/11/25 at 01:02 PM

Oh good Lord, he'll be fine.

I get that it’s a big blow that you can’t help but take personally.

I also get that the show itself is not good but is made up of incredible performers. You’re not really a success story if all people can praise are the individuals involved and not the material itself. That being said, his specific work on the show is the strongest out of literally everyone on the creative team. The failure of this show does not fall on his shoulders.

I hope his “never doing this again” pertains to the people he’s collaborating with and not theater as a whole.