Smash

[kyleham]

I have seen so many mediocre shows this season. I did see Smash the other night and finally found a show that is actually good! By that I mean as how with good music where I was humming the songs when I left. Excellent choreography and very cute and somewhat hunky chorus boys. A feel good musical! Is it going to win a lot of Tony's probably not but just a fun night.

[d.anders]

The debut of the TV show knocked me off my chair. Everyone who loves musical theater was talking about it. I thought the music was electrifying. Then the show went to shit. I remember thinking this music should not go to waste. I've read the stage musical is very different from the TV show. I'm glad to hear someone enjoyed it.

[samhexum]

19 minutes ago, d.anders said:

The debut of the TV show knocked me off my chair. Everyone who loves musical theater was talking about it. I thought the music was electrifying. Then the show went to shit. I remember thinking this music should not go to waste. I've read the stage musical is very different from the TV show. I'm glad to hear someone enjoyed it.

I have one of the songs on my computer.  I think it was the biggest production number:

 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Chatter on the various theatre boards isn't positive, but for the sake of the cast/creatives, I hope they find an audience.  

What I am finding tough is hearing the show sung by very different voices.  Much of the original music was created for the cast (Hilty and McPhee) and the new orchestrations clip a lot out.  You get snippets of songs you know, but not always the entire song.

 

[d.anders]

2 hours ago, samhexum said:

I have one of the songs on my computer.

I don't think that song was from the 1st episode.

1 hour ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

What I am finding tough is hearing the show sung by very different voices.  Much of the original music was created for the cast (Hilty and McPhee)

I thought Hilty and McPhee were perfectly cast, and their voices harmonized together beautifully. I guess they are too old now, and probably doing other things. I haven't heard much, but from what I did hear, the new lead voices sounded very good. The one thing about Broadway, it attracts a constant stream of new talent. There seem to be a fair share of young Hiltys and McPhees.

In the video, I love watching the male theater queens. They get so exercised.

[samhexum]

44 minutes ago, d.anders said:

I don't think that song was from the 1st episode.

I didn't mean to imply that it was. It was a number that involved the whole cast and I enjoyed it so much that I have kept listening to it all these years.

 

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Chatter on the various theatre boards isn't positive, but for the sake of the cast/creatives, I hope they find an audience.  

What I am finding tough is hearing the show sung by very different voices.  Much of the original music was created for the cast (Hilty and McPhee) and the new orchestrations clip a lot out.  You get snippets of songs you know, but not always the entire song.

 

That’s unfortunate. I’d be curious to see how they make a whole musical of it with a beginning middle and end considering it’s 2.5 hours, but the show limped along for 2 seasons.

There were some nice songs - songs that need to be sung in full or they lose their impact. For example, the show’s signature song - Let me be your star - I can’t imagine that song being edited or sung any differently. It would lose a lot of propelled the dynamic between the two stars and their motivations, I think.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

1 hour ago, d.anders said:

I thought Hilty and McPhee were perfectly cast, and their voices harmonized together beautifully. I guess they are too old now, and probably doing other things. 

Hilty is currently co-starring on Broadway in Death Becomes Her.  She was excellent when I saw the show last month.  I found it amusing that Smash is playing at a theater on the same block as Hilty's show.

Edited March 28 by sam.fitzpatrick
word choice

[skynyc]

I saw an early preview of Smash and was disappointed. i liked, but not loved, the show, but the songs were great.  Well, the songs are still here in the musical, and some of the characters names are the same, but otherwise, the book is completely new...and not very good. There are so many little sub-plots, some of them quite dreadful. The talent on the stage is GREAT! Dancing is fun...(I liked Boop better)...and songs are mostly familiar from TV show. But I fear the critics with thrash it. (Or maybe they've fixed some of it.) 

[d.anders]

This was in today's Feed. Too bad the Broadway hairdressers couldn't get her hair right. Didn't they see the movie Blonde? (Can you tell I was once married to a fabulous hairdresser?)

 

 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

There's a lot about SMASH that isn't working, but instead of taking the time to fix it, they've basically frozen the show.

The two female leads (Robyn Hurder and Caroline Bowman) are capable performers, but lack the star power to carry the show.  

Their voices are overamplified, safe and pretty.  Disney princess voices.  Not ballsy.  Not edge-of-your-seat exciting.  

The music suffers for it.

With so much producing power behind this show (Spielberg, Susan Stroman, Jennifer Hudson), it's a shame this is what we ended up with.

I will say that as much as I love Bob Martin (Drowsy Chaperone), he shouldn't write another modern musical's book.  His work here was awful.

[d.anders]

47 minutes ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

it's a shame this is what we ended up with

47 minutes ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

His work here was awful.

So disappointed to hear this. It is interesting that they are teasing on YouTube. Probably hoping to drum up word-of-mouth.

[+ ApexNomad]

5 hours ago, d.anders said:

This was in today's Feed. Too bad the Broadway hairdressers couldn't get her hair right. Didn't they see the movie Blonde? (Can you tell I was once married to a fabulous hairdresser?)

 

 

Wow this was the first time hearing this. Oh boy. This show is not gonna last long. They got the whole feel of it wrong, especially with that number. They’re banking on a known IP that wasn’t a “smash” to begin with for NBC (couldn’t resist the pun). 

Next time the lights dim on Broadway, you can bet it’ll be this show getting the last curtain call—and not in a good way.

[Cooper]

I was a fan of the TV show SMASH, so, I was looking forward to seeing it on Broadway.

If you know the plot it’s about the making of a musical comedy called “Bombshell”, the life of Marilyn Monroe. You get to witness the rehearsals, meet the people behind the scenes, and get involved with all the drama  they face and there’s a lot. 

The show opens with an excellent and well choreographed dance number. Yes, sit close as there are some hot looking young men performing. From there we get introduced to the many cast members. All I found to be most talented and likable. 

The feud between the actors wanting to play Marilyn gives the audience an opportunity to hear each one’s amazing voice. Fortunately, the show has a happy ending. And, it isn’t till the ending that you find out why the show is called “SMASH”. 

The show has it all. Good singing, dancing, amazing cast, and humor. Even a happy ending for the producer. 

I found it very entertaining! I LoL during the laxative scene and found the old woman a hoot. The kiss scene between the 2 men was priceless. 

It’s an easy ticket to get.  If  you have TDF you can order one for $60. The show runs 2hrs 30min, with an intermission. Rest rooms are large and the line moves quickly. 

The matinee performance I saw was a full house. 

On a personal note, I live in NY, so, I see a lot of shows. Some good, some bad. If you’re visiting NY and want to see a musical, keep in mind there are better choices than this. IMO, “Boop” might be a better choice. 

[foxy]

I’m glad you found some positive things about a show that maybe isn’t the greatest. But even when I’m not crazy about a show I think of the talent and hard work that goes into it. Just the idea of being on a stage acting, singing and dancing to me must take tremendous courage. I’m sure most of us would die of stage fright. And I’ve often read that many established actors still suffer from it but manage to perform even when they are sick. The show must go on. And to think that the odds of becoming a success let alone a star are pretty slim. I think there are probably many talented people that never get their names in lights. So support the arts. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Robyn Hurder didn't get the TONY nomination they expected.  A clear snub to this show by voters.

SMASH got almost totally shut out.  

I hope they can survive this one.

[d.anders]

3 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

SMASH got almost totally shut out.

That's not good. Very difficult to overcome. I heard Boop was struggling and may have to close early. Not sure if it's true.

[+ ApexNomad]

I predict Smash will be the first to close. It needed Tony love and didn’t get it.

Maybe Happy Ending is the little engine that could. I see this show really benefiting from today’s nominations. It has great word of mouth already (as it should - great show). And I think Darren Criss could pull an upset over Jonathan Groff for best actor. 

[foxy]

I loved Maybe Happy Ending and thought Darren Criss was terrific. I actually got teary eyed towards the end. I’d be happy if he wins a Tony. Of course Jonathan Groff could get a second one and that’s ok too. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I think that’s a pun. 

[ShortCutie7]

I saw Smash last night and very much enjoyed it… the theatre was packed and the audience was very enthusiastic.  I found the book, score, and performances to all be very strong.  In another year, all three Marilyns could have been locks for nominations, but I can see why Hurder was not nominated in this year’s extremely competitive field since she was not given as much to do as the leads in other shows (this came across as more of an ensemble cast), plus the other two were so strong that her character was NOT the clear choice (which in context of the show makes sense).  I agree with everything @Cooper wrote in his post including that “Boop” would likely be a better choice for the average theatregoer if one had to choose, but both shows were really fantastic IMO.

[skynyc]

I found the book of SMASH to be so implausible that it irked me. The talent on stage being underused in a parody of the industry. SPOILERS. The ha-ha treatment of both pill addition and alcoholism, and the laxative scene with no repercussion, other than it backfired on him. And even in our "woke" society...I don't think that anyone would scream "body-shaming" over reluctance to cast a plus-sized woman as Marilyn Monroe. The inanity got in the way of my being simply entertained. 

That all being said...the cast is amazing. Brooks is doing his usual schtick, wonderfully. Robyn is a true triple-threat. Krsytal and John are terrific. I walked out more sad than thrilled. 

Boop, on the other hand, carried me along, almost completely because Jasmine Amy Rogers is so exceptional. Of course, the costumes and dancing didn't hurt. This is the one I am sending people to. I will probably go again. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

2 hours ago, skynyc said:

I found the book of SMASH to be so implausible that it irked me.

This is why I say that Bob Martin should never again be allowed to write a Broadway book.  He's lost the magic.

And why do they let Susan Stroman continue to handle a show when she's now had a string of bombs.

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

And why do they let Susan Stroman continue to handle a show when she's now had a string of bombs.

Bc they’re expecting The Producers-level hit. That’s never going to happen again. That’s lightening in a bottle.

[ShortCutie7]

12 hours ago, skynyc said:

I found the book of SMASH to be so implausible that it irked me. The talent on stage being underused in a parody of the industry. SPOILERS. The ha-ha treatment of both pill addition and alcoholism, and the laxative scene with no repercussion, other than it backfired on him. And even in our "woke" society...I don't think that anyone would scream "body-shaming" over reluctance to cast a plus-sized woman as Marilyn Monroe. The inanity got in the way of my being simply entertained. 

These points are part of why I DID like the book- I thought the lack of realism in the tone was exactly what the show needed to work.

[d.anders]

8 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

Bc they’re expecting The Producers-level hit. That’s never going to happen again. That’s lightening in a bottle.

Broadway is one of the few places where dreams don't die. If someone directs a smash hit, there's always a chance they can do it again.