Smash changed ending SINCE OPENING-No spoilers

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 1:54pm

I saw the final preview performance on April 9, and a friend took me to the show yesterday, May 4. The ending is completely different. How rare is it for a show to put in changes after it opens? (BTW, this is confirmed info). I’d guess it’s exceedingly rare. Does anyone know of another example. (I prefer the new opening). 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:00pm

Wicked has made changes over the years.

[itsahopi]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:05pm

RaisedOnMusicals said: "I saw the final preview performance on April 9, and a friend took me to the show yesterday, May 4. The ending is completely different. How rare is it for a show to put in changes after it opens? (BTW, this is confirmed info). I’d guess it’s exceedingly rare. Does anyone know of another example. (I prefer thenew opening)."

What changed?

 

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:15pm

itsahopi said: "RaisedOnMusicals said: "I saw the final preview performance on April 9, and a friend took me to the show yesterday, May 4. The ending is completely different. How rare is it for a show to put in changes after it opens? (BTW, this is confirmed info). I’d guess it’s exceedingly rare. Does anyone know of another example. (I prefer thenew opening)."

What changed?

I’d rather not spoil it for others but will gladly respond to a private message  if you do that, summarize the ending you saw and I’ll let you know exactly  

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:18pm

I'm pretty sure you are mistaken.  I saw the show a few times in previews and then again this past Saturday -- and nothing  substantive has changed in the ending.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:20pm

RaisedOnMusicals said: "itsahopi said: "RaisedOnMusicals said: "I saw the final preview performance on April 9, and a friend took me to the show yesterday, May 4. The ending is completely different. How rare is it for a show to put in changes after it opens? (BTW, this is confirmed info). I’d guess it’s exceedingly rare. Does anyone know of another example. (I prefer thenew opening)."

What changed?

I’d rather not spoil it for others but will gladly respond to a private message if you do that, summarize the ending you saw and I’ll let you know exactly

"

You can just use the spoiler tag function in the editing toolbar. It’s next to the smiley face. 

[singer234]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:21pm

If I recall both Mean Girls and Frozen implemented substantial changes to the material well within their runs.

[raddersons]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:30pm

And Lion King made trims as well, cutting Morning Report

[copskid949]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:39pm

So technically speaking, if everyone here is correct, Smash could have either:

A. Made a substantial change to its ending during final preview that never went anywhere.

or B. They changed the ending literally yesterday, the day after JSquared saw it.

Curious to see what’s up!

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:51pm

Perhaps OP is thinking of the pre-Broadway workshop ending last year?

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/smash-broadway-original-ending-exclusive?srsltid=AfmBOoq0a8A-8L9yR2jfEg80JldRxbQCekb8653CmxN_jl1OmFkfNsUQ

 

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 2:54pm

Nevermind. Ew. 

Updated On: 5/5/25 at 02:54 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 3:08pm

Dreamgirls changed the entire opening of the second act well into its riginal run.  

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 3:37pm

Updated On: 5/5/25 at 03:37 PM

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 4:14pm

Direct quote from material on the internet:

 

The Broadway adaptation of Smash underwent a significant transformation in its ending between its opening night on April 10, 2025, and the present. Initially, the musical concluded with a dark and dramatic twist: Ivy Lynn, the central character, dies onstage during a high-energy number, symbolically mirroring Marilyn Monroe’s tragic fate. This ending was supported by producer Steven Spielberg and embraced during the first table read, as it was deemed powerful and structurally sound 

However, during early workshops, audiences reacted negatively to this grim conclusion. The backlash was largely due to the charisma and popularity of actress Robyn Hurder, who portrayed Ivy. Audiences disliked the final act without Ivy and criticized the downbeat tone. As a result, the creative team decided to alter the ending. In the revised version, Ivy survives, and the fictional show Bombshell within the musical fails due to its somber ending. This change allowed the musical to retain its meta elements and humor, earning audience praise despite mixed reviews .

The final version of Smash now ends on an upbeat note, reflecting a more optimistic tone while still acknowledging the challenges of Broadway productions. This adjustment was part of a broader effort to make the stage adaptation distinct from the TV series, focusing on a comedic backstage narrative about staging a Marilyn Monroe musical .

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 4:24pm

So you’re saying the show you saw on April 9th had Ivy dying?

[Kad]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 4:28pm

Yeah, what are you talking about? Why are you quoting a random source from the internet- one that doesn't even back up what you're claiming- when you are the one who claimed you saw an early preview and then a post-opening performance with a substantially changed ending?

The workshop ending was never on Broadway.

Updated On: 5/5/25 at 04:28 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 4:28pm

RaisedOnMusicals said: "Direct quote from material on the internet:



The Broadway adaptation of Smash underwent a significant transformation in its ending between its opening night on April 10, 2025, and the present. Initially, the musical concluded with a dark and dramatic twist: Ivy Lynn, the central character, dies onstage during a high-energy number, symbolically mirroring Marilyn Monroe’s tragic fate. This ending was supported by producer Steven Spielberg and embraced during the first table read, as it was deemed powerful and structurally sound

However, during early workshops, audiences reacted negatively to this grim conclusion. The backlash was largely due to the charisma and popularity of actress Robyn Hurder, who portrayed Ivy. Audiences disliked the final act without Ivy and criticized the downbeat tone. As a result, the creative team decided to alter the ending. In the revised version, Ivy survives, and the fictional show Bombshell within the musical fails due to its somber ending. This change allowed the musical to retain its meta elements and humor, earning audience praise despite mixed reviews .

The final version of Smash now ends on an upbeat note, reflecting a more optimistic tone while still acknowledging the challenges of Broadway productions. This adjustment was part of a broader effort to make the stage adaptation distinct from the TV series, focusing on a comedic backstage narrative about staging a Marilyn Monroe musical .

So are you now saying that your initial post was based on the (incorrectly summarized) account you posted from the internet -- and not based on your personal experiences seeing the show?  Very confusing.  Ivy has never "died" on Broadway.

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 4:37pm

This poster seems to be a shill for smash. Most of their recent posts are only positive remarks about the show or shooting down any negative reviews.

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 5:06pm

Conclusion, there are no changes and this post should be deleted.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

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

RaisedOnMusicals said: "Direct quote from material on the internet:



The Broadway adaptation of Smash underwent a significant transformation in its ending between its opening night on April 10, 2025, and the present. Initially, the musical concluded with a dark and dramatic twist: Ivy Lynn, the central character, dies onstage during a high-energy number, symbolically mirroring Marilyn Monroe’s tragic fate. This ending was supported by producer Steven Spielberg and embraced during the first table read, as it was deemed powerful and structurally sound



"

Wrong.

The ending where Ivy dies was only the workshop, that ending was NOT on Broadway at any point in the run.

You have copied AI written garbage with clearly zero fact-checking.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 6:45pm

So you....haven't seen the show twice, then? 

[merle57]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 7:14pm

Major changes were made to Damn Yankees the day after it opened dropping a musical number, moving another musical number, and turning Gwen Verdon back into a bewitching witch.  Wish You Were Here also had extensive changes to book, musical score, staging for the entire first month after it opened. Kean had major musical numbers dropped after the opening (Domesticity). Hello, Dolly! had major musical number cut a year and a half after it opened (Come Be My Butterfly), Les Miz made cuts after several years to shave down the running time. I am sure there are many other examples. 

[fray3]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 7:58pm

I do believe OP asked which other shows changed after opening. Even if they are wrong about Smash, that's not a response to their question It's great to correct people when they're wrong, but there are ways to do that without being mean or insulting.

[OrchardAndRivington]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 8:36pm

fray3 said: "I do believe OP asked which other shows changed after opening. Even if they are wrong about Smash, that's not a response to their question It's great to correct people when they're wrong, but there are ways to do that without being mean or insulting."

Not on the Broadway World Message Boards, unfortunately. 

[fray3]

Posted: 5/5/25 at 8:45pm

OrchardAndRivington said: "fray3 said: "I do believe OP asked which other shows changed after opening. Even if they are wrong about Smash, that's not a response to their question It's great to correct people when they're wrong, but there are ways to do that without being mean or insulting."

Not on the Broadway World Message Boards, unfortunately."

So I've noticed.