Bombshell (musical)
| Bombshell | |
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 Broadway Poster | |
| Music |
Marc Shaiman Scott Wittman |
| Lyrics |
Marc Shaiman Scott Wittman |
| Productions |
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Bombshell is an American musical with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman, based on the original fictitious musical from the first season of the NBC television series Smash. The songs include soulful jazz anthems and upbeat pop songs. Bombshell is the life story of Marilyn Monroe. It tells the story of the aspiring starlet, who transforms herself to into a worldwide sex symbol, her early life, and her alleged affair with American President John F. Kennedy.
Within the television series Smash characters Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) set out to write their next Broadway sensation. The book and lyrics for Bombshell are by the character "Julia Houston", with music by "Tom Levitt". Bombshell centers around three characters, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio and Kennedy.
A soundtrack featuring the music from the musical was released in 2013.[1] The songs were featured in a one-night charity concert, and the musical is being adapted to a real stage musical on Broadway.
Productions
Benefit concert
Shaiman and Wittman said a charitable organization may put on a concert featuring songs from Bombshell: "A concert could feature the cast and additional performers from Broadway. That would be a wonderful way for the show to live on".[2]
In December 2014, it was announced that Bombshell would see life on Broadway as a special, one-night-only benefit event in 2015. Smash executive producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan produced the show and some of the original Smash cast, including Megan Hilty as Monroe, also reprised their roles.[3] The single Monday June 8 performance in the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway was sold-out.[4]
Original Broadway production
During production of the show, executive producer Craig Zadan said: "We stand on the set, watch the Bombshell numbers and say, "Wouldn’t this be great on Broadway? And so far that’s where we’ve left it. Our priority now is producing a great TV show".[5]
In June 2015 following the sold-out performance at the Minskoff Theatre, it was announced that Bombshell would head to the Broadway stage. The executive producers of Smash and the Bombshell concert, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, are set to executive produce the Broadway production. No timeline for the show has been announced.[6]
Trivia
- In the second season, the musical goes into competition with another fictional musical, Hit List.
- According to Broadway.com, "Fans are Begging for Bombshell to Hit Broadway".[7]
- The New York Times said: "Bombshell Doesn’t Exist, but Its Songs Are Real Hits".[8]
- Debra Messing, who played the on-screen lyricist Julia Houston, said “There’s a real musical there, if they get a really talented book writer”.[9]
Musical numbers
TV Show/Album
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Benefit Concert
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Casts and characters
| Character | Fictitious Workshop Cast | Fictitious Boston Previews Cast | Fictitious Broadway Cast | Original Concert Cast | Broadway production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Jeane / Marilyn Monroe | Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) | Rebecca Duvall (Uma Thurman), Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) | Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) | Katharine McPhee/Megan Hilty | (Rumored) Megan Hilty[10] |
| Joe DiMaggio | Michael Swift (Will Chase) | Michael Swift (Will Chase) | N/A | Will Chase | |
| Arthur Miller | Petey (Glenn Kalison) | Petey (Glenn Kalison) | Petey (Glenn Kalison) | Brian d'Arcy James | |
| Darryl F. Zanuck | N/A | Marc Kudisch | Marc Kudisch | Christian Borle | |
| John F. Kennedy | N/A | N/A | Simon (Julian Ovenden) | N/A | |
| Lee Strasberg | Justin (Henry Stram) | Justin (Henry Stram) | Justin (Henry Stram) | N/A | |
| Johnny Hyde | Dave (Tim Wright) | Dave (Tim Wright) | Dave (Tim Wright) | N/A | |
| Gladys Baker | N/A | N/A | Leigh Conroy (Bernadette Peters) | Donna McKechnie | |
| Young Norma Jeane | N/A | N/A | Sophia Caruso | Ripley Sobo | |
| Nat King Cole | N/A | N/A | Sam Strickland (Leslie Odom Jr.) | Leslie Odom Jr. | Role will most likely not exist |
External links
References
- ↑ "Megan Hilty Talks 'Smash' Future, 'Bombshell' And New Album". The Huffington Post. 19 February 2013.
- ↑ ""Smash" Musical Bombshell May Live On in Charity Concert". Playbill.
- ↑ ""Smash" Musical Bombshell to Play Broadway for One-Night-Only Benefit". Playbill.
- ↑ "A concert presentation of BOMBSHELL". actorsfund.org.
- ↑ "'Smash' producers want musical to hit Broadway".
- ↑ ""Smash" Musical Bombshell Headed to the Stage". Playbill.
- ↑ "Smash Survey Results: Fans are Begging for Bombshell to Hit Broadway". Broadway.com.
- ↑ Morgan, Richard. "'Bombshell' Doesn't Exist, but Its Songs Are Real Hits".
- ↑ Casey Mink. "'Bombshell' On Broadway: Will The 'Smash' Musical Come To Life? - Hollywood Life". Hollywood Life.
- ↑ Casey Mink. "[INTERVIEW] Megan Hilty In 'Bombshell' On Broadway? 'I Hope I Get An Audition' - Hollywood Life". Hollywood Life.
