SMASH To Close June 22, 2025- Page 4

[TellZ]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 8:08pm

singerunlimited said: "pinktonyclub said: "Katie Webber,(Insta@katiewebbernyc) ensemblist who left The Great Gatsby to do Smash, says on her story "our show is struggling but it wasn't doing that bad. They just gave up on it. Sorry, somebody had to say it.""

If you go to her Instagram stories right now, you can see her throwing her entire script binder into the trash…"

So?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 10:56pm

singerunlimited said: "pinktonyclub said: "Katie Webber,(Insta@katiewebbernyc) ensemblist who left The Great Gatsby to do Smash, says on her story "our show is struggling but it wasn't doing that bad. They just gave up on it. Sorry, somebody had to say it.""

If you go to her Instagram stories right now, you can see her throwing her entire script binder into the trash…"

Damn, she held nothing back on IG. And she's out for the closing show?

[Dolly80]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 2:06am

She seems massively self absorbed. And throwing away that script looks petty and unprofessional. (Even if it does belong in the trash)

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 3:13am

ACL2006 said: "singerunlimited said: "pinktonyclub said: "Katie Webber,(Insta@katiewebbernyc) ensemblist who left The Great Gatsby to do Smash, says on her story "our show is struggling but it wasn't doing that bad. They just gave up on it. Sorry, somebody had to say it.""

If you go to her Instagram stories right now, you can see her throwing her entire script binder into the trash…"

Damn, she held nothing back on IG. And she's out for the closing show?"

Katie is delusional. The show is struggling because it’s terrible and it’s CLOSING 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 7:34am

Had a good laugh at Bowman calling her a “Broadway Legend” on IG. She’s a ‘holistic nutritionalist’ who’s been in the ensemble of five crappy failed shows and brief stints in four successful ones. The ones saying massively self absorbed and delusional are right on the money. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 8:26am

she also has this post pinned on her IG. it's confusing because it sounds like she doesn't like the work schedule of a Broadway actor, but then she keeps on booking show after show.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_N-L0MO7KC/

[inception]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 9:42am

I think you all are making too much of it.  Just went through her stories and her cast mates genuinely seem to love working with her.  Is she supposed to save the binder?  It didn't seem malicious.  Just cleaning out her station before she left the show.  It was a job.  Everyone involved must realize that the show is a piece of sh!t, and probably knew from the moment they first read the script.  But it was a job.  Sometimes you gotta take what is available. 

[FolliesCabaret]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 10:28am

Just watched the video Katie Webber posted of her singing They Just Keep Moving the Line while covering Caroline Bowman

... I bet she's an incredible dancer!

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 10:52am

FolliesCabaret said: "Just watched the video Katie Webber posted of her singing They Just Keep Moving the Line while covering Caroline Bowman

... I bet she's an incredible dancer!"

🤣🤣🤣

[itsahopi]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 2:17pm

DramaTeach said: "FolliesCabaret said: "Just watched the video Katie Webber posted of her singing They Just Keep Moving the Line while covering Caroline Bowman

... I bet she's an incredible dancer!"

🤣🤣🤣"

 

I dunno, I have major respect for this entire cast because they’re all so talented and really worked hard to sell the script they were given. I know it’s the job of an actor but it felt like the creative team didn’t do their job, so it all fell on the cast 8 shows a week while they made lucrative royalties. Cast gets a free pass from me to act however they want about it.

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 2:51pm

Four swings on for the closing show. Very bizarre.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 2:55pm

ACL2006 said: "Four swings on for the closing show. Very bizarre."

Thematically appropriate, at least…

[binau]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 3:11pm

I do think it’s possible a career ensemble member is not necessarily attuned to the financial situation of shows today. 5-10 years ago before costs have increased exponentially it might have been more shocking for a show to close so quickly. It also feels highly provocative that they would throw out the script in the trash but with the context that they likely believe in the show and wish it weren’t closing I assume the intention was to express the frustration that the show is being needlessly thrown in the trash, even if the optics probably aren’t the best and it was a mistake to do so. 

[ivy3]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:01pm

ACL2006 said: "Damn, she held nothing back on IG. And she's out for the closing show?"

she mentioned she had taken a day off this sunday for something personal before the closing announcement and that's why she would be missing the final day. 

 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:35pm

itsahopi said: "I dunno, I have major respect for this entire cast because they’re all so talented and really worked hard to sell the script they were given. I know it’s the job of an actor but it felt like the creative team didn’t do their job, so it all fell on the cast 8 shows a week while they made lucrative royalties. Cast gets a free pass from me to act however they want about it."

No one on this creative team made lucrative royalties on Smash. With a weekly running cost of over 1 million dollars (rumored to exceed 1.1 million), my bet is the team was asked to waive their royalties from the beginning of the run.

Updated On: 6/22/25 at 04:35 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:39pm

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:45pm

Charley Kringas Inc said: "ACL2006 said: "Four swings on for the closing show. Very bizarre."

Thematically appropriate, at least…"

Sarah Bowden and David Merritt are out with injuries. Katie Webber had a pre scheduled personal day. Not sure on the other male ensemble member who's out.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:47pm

I am here at the Smash intermission.  I love Robyn Hurder's singing and dancing.  Caroline Bowman is thrilling up watch.  I didn't expect to see and hear what the director decided to present.  I was thrilled to anticipate Karen going on as Marilyn.  I really was hoping ho see it.  But they come up with a silly plot line about Karen eating a tampered cupcake and being unable to go on.  WTF!  I realize that the producers didn't want to replicate the tv show, but their choices are insane. It's almost unrecognizable .  Granted , the lady who went on for Karen had a good voice,. slightly soprano like.  The audience liked her.  At this point, I frankly don't know what to expect.  Also,  the old lady in black is frankly annoying.  P.S.  There was a good deal of extended applause when she finished Don't Forget Me.  She was visibly moved.  Uh oh, intermission is almost over.  I am typing on one finger.

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 4:50pm

ACL2006 said: "Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1."

Shaiman is pretty famous for making cameos in his own works, usually on film. What did he do in this one?

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 5:07pm

" I really was hoping ho see it.  But they come up with a silly plot line about Karen eating a tampered cupcake and being unable to go on.  WTF!  I realize that the producers didn't want to replicate the tv show, but their choices are insane. It's almost unrecognizable. "

I agree 100%. I have written a few posts saying WTF also. They did not need to totally copy the TV series, but these changes were lame IMO. I have posted a few times my thoughts on how to tweak the storyline of the TV series for the Broadway show. Eliminate a few characters and make Ivy's overbearing mother (Broadway star Leigh Conroy) from the TV show the reason for her personal problems for example. Turning this show into a "farce" was major mistake. The buzz from the "Bombshell" concert was pretty big and it is shame to see how badly they ruined this show.

[always bway]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 5:07pm

darquegk said: "ACL2006 said: "Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1."

Shaiman is pretty famous for making cameos in his own works, usually on film. What did he do in this one?"

Oof -the show is devoid of any emotional truth or any story line that even nears truth. Without it, all the singing and dancing in the world means nothing. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 5:21pm

ACL2006 said: "Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1."

The composing team being a divorced couple who still write together would have been a much more interesting angle for the authors of the show-within-the-show!

Updated On: 6/22/25 at 05:21 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 6:29pm

darquegk said: "ACL2006 said: "Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1."

Shaiman is pretty famous for making cameos in his own works, usually on film. What did he do in this one?"

He was playing the piano and Scott was standing behind it. He then made the joke about Catch Me If You Can and Hairspray.

This show would have done better a few years ago, didn't include the character of Chloe and changed the ending.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 6:45pm

Hurder got a standing ovation after "Don't Forget Me", Bowman got a standing ovation after "They Just Keep Moving the Line". Both Bowman and Hurder were emotional during the reprise of*Second Hand...". I adored the music for this show and am happy they did a cast recording at least. Wouldn't be surprised to see some regional theaters produce this in a few years.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 8:03pm

darquegk said: "ACL2006 said: "Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman made a cameo in Act 1."

Shaiman is pretty famous for making cameos in his own works, usually on film. What did he do in this one?". He was playing the piano.  Outside the stage door, I overheard him say it was really tough trying to keep his cameo appearance a secret from the cast.  Shaiman also spent a good deal of time signing autographs.