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So, the ITBR finally made it to see SMASH the Hit? Broadway Musical, and we do not hold back with our reviews so buckle up for an energetic and lively conversation that asks did the musical match the energy of the TV show?
Spoilers Ahead So Skip and Just Listen to the Episode If You Don't Want to Know Our True Feelings:
The positive aspects first...
Robyn Hurder is incredibly talented and her charisma, vocal power, and dance moves light up the stage!
If you have never seen the TV show before, you are definitely going to not have as much to critique than if you were a major fan of the show (like the three of us).
If you like plays that have a lot of music in them, then this musical is for you! We get into what we mean by this even though the Tony Awards have categorized this as a musical.
Now our critiques...
The Bombshell musical numbers are not properly highlighted and there are so many missed opportunities to explore the different dimensions of Marilyn's life. As Andrew says, this could have been a musical about any iconic celebrity's life, like Judy Garland, and it would have had the same effect.
The creative team is more concerned about showing the behind the scenes of creating a Broadway musical, more so than what the material is about.
Now if anyone from the creative or cast happen to encounter this review, first we absolutely love the talent that is on stage, and we are major fans of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's work (I mean Hairspray is iconic), we just didn't happen to thoroughly enjoy this adaptation of the TV show. We found both pros and cons in this adaptation, and we encourage everyone listening to go and see this musical. Judge it for yourself. That's what the arts are about!
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