While most television shows with ardent fan bases get revived for new seasons at other venues, NBC’s Smash is being revived by heading on stage. Bombshell, the short-lived show’s show-within-a-show is actually going to be produced on the stage.
Smash only ran for two seasons and never had high ratings after its first episodes. It was ultimately cancelled in May 2013. Starring Debra Messing, Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee, the series was about putting on a Broadway show. Bombshell itself was inspired by the life of Marilyn Monroe and was previously produced on the stage in a one-night only benefit concert for the Actors Fund on June 8.
NBCUniversal and Universal Stage Productions announced the project, which has yet to find a book writer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the same team behind NBC’s recent live TV musicals, is producing the show. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s music will again be featured. The choreographer will by Joshua Bergasse (On The Town).
“There is a still a lot of love for Smash and a rabid fan base out there, and we’re thrilled to be able to keep the dream alive as we work towards bringing Bombshell to theatre audiences,” NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement. “Smash was ambitious because every episode was a complicated musical for television and we also built the foundation of the musical-within-the-musical about Marilyn’s endlessly fascinating and tumultuous life. Over the course of two seasons an entire Bombshell score was written to service Smash storylines, and now that show will have a chance to stand on its own.”
Spielberg, who was an executive producer on Smash will be involved in some capacity. Amblin TV presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank are also producing.
No casting was announced. It might be hard for them to get McPhee again, since she’s currently starring in CBS’ Scorpion, which was renewed for a second season.