A blockbuster show that ‘blew fans’ socks off’ is set to make a sensational return 12 years after it was brutally axed.
Smash originally aired on NBC between 2012 and 2013 for two series and was based on a fictional New York City theatre community who worked on a musical production about Marilyn Monroe.
Produced by Steven Spielberg, it starred Jack Davenport, Debra Messing, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hitly, Angjelica Huston and Christian Borle.
Jack recalled to Vanity Fair: ‘It was insanely ambitious and profoundly original. And for people who love musical theatre, it blew their socks off.’
The acclaimed series won four Emmys, a Golden Globe and a Grammy but was axed after just two seasons.
However, blockbuster Smash is now set to make a return – as a Broadway musical next month.
Smash originally aired between 2012 and 2013 for two series and was based on a fictional New York City theatre community who worked on a musical production about Marilyn Monroe
Produced by Steven Spielberg , it starred Jack Davenport, Debra Messing, Katharine McPhee , Megan Hitly, Angjelica Huston and Christian Borle
From March 10, Smash will debut on stage and will follow the making of Bombshell, a musical about Marilyn Monroe that the original TV series centred around.
Broadway veteran Robyn Hurder is set take on Megan’s role as Ivy, while Brooks Ashmanskas landed the role of gay director Nigel and Krysta Rodrigeuz stars as Tracy.
Writers Rick Elice and Bob Martin have described it as ‘a comedy about making a musical’.
After a feedback workshop, they described how ‘the wind blows you in a different direction’ when they received ‘backlash’ on the ending and the writers decided to change the final scene to a more upbeat tone.
It comes after Elton John’s Broadway show, the Tammy Faye musical, was cancelled after a battle to sell tickets last year.
Back in November, it was announced that the musical would close its curtains on December 8 after just 24 previews and 29 performances.
The show – based on the life of televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, had been struggling to sell tickets at the Palace Theatre despite a highly anticipated transfer from London.
Insiders previously told The Mail the show was always ‘at risk of not working’ after reviews ‘killed it’.
However, blockbuster Smash is now set to make a return – as a Broadway musical next month
From March 10, Smash will debut on stage and will follow the making of Bombshell, a musical about Marilyn Monroe that the original TV series centred around
A source close to the production said: ‘It was always going to be difficult, even the writers feared the storyline didn’t translate for the audience.
‘The 1700 capacity venue was only selling 300 tickets a night. This is not exactly great for Elton.
‘The first night reviews were not exactly positive, they thought they’d be cancelled before the year is out.’
Smash will play at the Imperial Theatre, New York from March 11.