“Smash,” a meta TV-to-stage musical, will close on Broadway after failing to score any love at the Tony Awards.
The show, which earned mixed reviews from critics, will play its final performance on June 22 after 32 previews and 84 regular performances at the Imperial Theatre. This is the first production to issue a closing notice after the Tonys on Sunday night, where “Maybe Happy Ending” won for best musical. It’s not unusual for shows to quickly shutter after leaving empty-handed from the awards ceremony.
During its brief run, “Smash” has been struggling to sell tickets and playing to half-empty houses. Grosses stalled at $656,161 over the last week with the theater at 66% capacity — a disastrous turnout for a show of its size and scale. “Smash” was nominated for choreography and supporting actor for Brooks Ashmanskas, but wasn’t included in the lineup for best musical contenders.
Based on the cult-favorite television series, “Smash” chronicled the backstage chaos of the fictional “Bombshell,” a musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe. The production takes a turn when the lead actress, portrayed by Robyn Hurder, decides to go Method and becomes obsessed with channeling Marilyn — pills and all.
Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, all of whom were involved in mounting the TV show, were the lead producers on the musical. They’ve said that dedicated fans had been asking about a stage musical of “Smash” for more than 10 years.
Unfortunately, not enough of them showed up at the Imperial Theatre.
