SMASH Previews — Page 4

I might be in the minority but I’m thrilled they pivoted from the tv show in a big way. I mean, I love the tv show but it really is so bad.

I think the change would be justified if the ending makes it worth it and the new show has something to say. At least the open rehearsal ending did that. This one is now just… what’s the point of this all? The Karen/Ivy rivalry is a bit bigger in this version. But it also downplays Chloe who now just seems like they threw her a number for no reason instead of giving her a proper arc.

It really is a “damned if you do/don’t” scenario.

Nobody has mentioned scarves? Do they make an appearance?

I too appear to be in the minority as well. I had a really good time, it is definitely a theatre person’s show. That being said I think they do a really nice job of making a stand alone product here, meaning if you didn’t see Smash you can still go in and have a great time and understand what’s going on. The music is all still there for the most part. There are some 32 bar cuts, but looking back on the show, that’s what they were there too- for recordings they were expanded on. There is one plot point that I think can be cut- the pills need to go! The ending, though it makes sense, the song that is currently there is an underwhelming one to go out on. The performances were uniformly excellent with Robyn really being a knockout and this role showcases her many talents- even though Ivy is written to hate, the audience stays with her- I agree her denouement come too late. It is a first preview- to those saying they should’ve staged Bombshell- what was Bombshell but a framework? We never saw Bombshell other than the numbers in rehearsal on Smash so I’m not sure what commenters are looking for. Perhaps we wanted too much after the wait, but I think what we got was really in keeping with the show.

Updated On: 3/12/25 at 11:46 AM

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "It is a first preview- to those saying they should’ve staged Bombshell- what was Bombshell but a framework? We never saw Bombshell other than the numbers in rehearsal on Smash so I’m not sure what commenters arelooking for. Perhaps we wanted too much after the wait, but I think what we got was really in keeping with the show."

Even the digital booklet from the Bombshell album had a decent plot. Granted, a lot to fit into a musical, but at least some meat from the structure we only saw onscreen.

https://smash.fandom.com/wiki/Bombshell

raddersons said: "I might be in the minority but I’m thrilled they pivoted from the tv show in a big way. I mean, I love the tv show but it really is so bad.


It really is a “damned if you do/don’t” scenario."

Completely completely agreed. Let’s not pretend that had this just been a 1:1 of Bombshell that most theatre and Smash diehards would be out in droves to write this off as a reasonably uninspired biomusical copout to add to the pile of other commercialized unnecessary biomusicals (even if we all love Marilyn a whole bunch), instead of a uniquely revisionist adaptation of an original TV show we got instead. I think the sheer existance of it and devotion to fanservice the team has made speaks for itself even if the final product is never “perfect”-however you define that.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be critics and advocate to improve art, but this was an uphill battle no matter how they approached the Smash/Bombshell IP and all things considered I think there is a lot to love here!

Updated On: 3/12/25 at 12:46 PM

Is the set for the curtain call indicative of the design as a whole? It's not terribly appealing to my eye at least...

Dan6 said: "Is there a version of “Let Me Be Your Star” in the show that matches the melody line of the original? Iwasn’t thrilled with the changes made in the released video."

Yes, the version posted is the opener and they “re-write” it to the version we know

"I want the camp parody version where Debbie Messing's scarves get bigger and more ridiculous every time she appears onstage and it's never commented on."

I agree and personally I liked the "running gag" of Eileen constantly throwing drink in Jerry's face -lol

So what’s next for the Imperial?

Bombshell as a real-world show concept had one VERY cool stylistic element going for it, which the show used in a meta way but didn't use in the "canon" Bombshell: the more pop and low-key Norma Jean and the jazzy bombshell bimbo Marilyn uneasily coexisting and sharing a single narrative.

Would THAT version of the show play well onstage? I'm not sure, but I'd be glad to see it if it existed. Unfortunately, it's also in the shadow of two much more successful pieces of art: The Substance, which does the "two personas uneasily sharing one life" narrative explicitly instead of metatheatrically, and MJ, which pushes the "three actors play different phases of a superstar's life" to dark psychological places.

Basically, the thing that made Bombshell seem so shocking and cool as a staged reading... isn't all that shocking anymore.

You mean they haven't included one of my favourite songs from the first season of Smash 'A Thousand and One Nights' ? That isnt surprising.

It was THE most random of songs in the whole series, as it had absolutely nothing to do with the show, but just an excuse to give Raza Jaffrey something to sing. It wasn't even included on the album. SHAME!

Ellis stealing the jewels still makes me laugh.

Updated On: 3/12/25 at 09:15 PM

ACL2006 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "So what’s next for the Imperial?"

SMASH probably survives just on its fan base through Labor Day alone."

I just spit out my wine. U do know that Labor Day is…far far faaaaaarrr away…right?