Broadway Shock: ‘Smash’ Reveals Final Show Following Tony Awards Drama—What You Need to Know!

Every musical has its ups and downs. “Smash,” a Broadway play inspired by the NBC series, has officially announced it will close its curtains after a rough run. The producers, Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, and Neil Meron, shared the news that the final performance will be on June 22, following only 32 previews and 84 regular shows.

“Smash” tells the story of theater artists trying to create a musical about Marilyn Monroe called “Bombshell.” Directed by Susan Stroman and featuring music by Marc Shaiman, it aimed to capture the excitement of putting together a Broadway production.

However, the show struggled at the box office. At its peak, it was making about $1 million weekly, but recent earnings had dropped to around $656,000, according to The New York Times. A staggering $20 million was poured into bringing “Smash” to life, but that investment hasn’t been recouped.

It’s worth noting that “Smash” was the first Broadway show to close after a disappointing showing at the 2025 Tony Awards, where it left empty-handed despite nominations for Best Choreography and Best Featured Actor. Interestingly, both “Smash” and “Boop! The Betty Boop Musical” were not allowed to perform during the awards show, despite being willing to pay the hefty $300,000 appearance fee. This decision led to some backlash among producers, with one calling it “bizarre.”

The musical had been in the works since 2020, seven years after the NBC series ended in 2013. Spielberg expressed his affection for the project, stating, “‘Smash’ is near and dear to my heart.” His hope was that it would resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers to the story.

According to recent surveys, theater attendance in New York has seen fluctuations post-pandemic, with many productions facing challenges in attracting crowds. A report from the Broadway League indicated that while some shows thrive, others struggle. This might partly explain “Smash’s” tough journey. As audiences return, filling theaters remains a challenge, making the survival of new productions even more precarious.

In the competitive world of Broadway, the fate of shows can change rapidly, influenced by ticket sales, word of mouth, and even award show performances. “Smash,” while it had ambition, faced too many hurdles to achieve lasting success.

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