Concord Theatricals has announced its acquisition of the exclusive worldwide licensing rights to “Smash.” Concord is now accepting applications to license the musical from college, community and professional theater companies in the U.S. and internationally via its website.
“Smash,” based on the NBC series of the same name created by Theresa Rebeck, features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman wrote songs for the original series, in addition to new songs for the stage version. Shaiman and Wittman, who won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for their work on 2003’s “Hairspray,” have also composed the scores for other screen-to-stage adaptations like “Catch Me If You Can” and “Some Like It Hot.” The “Smash” book, co-written by four-time Tony nominee Rick Elice and Tony winner Bob Martin, centers on the chaotic production of a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on June 1.
“We are so happy that Concord Theatricals will be ‘Moving the Line’ for ‘Smash,’ so that people all across the country can join in with ‘The National Pastime,’ roll out their ‘Secondhand White Baby Grands’ and sing out to the world ‘Let Me Be Your Star,’” said Shaiman and Wittman in a joint statement.
“I grew up in New York, when theater tickets were cheaper than a movie,” added Elice. “So on rainy Saturdays as a kid, I’d try to see a show. Finally, in high school, we were able to license a musical and put it on for all our friends and families. It was the happiest I’d ever been. Concord handles three of my shows now — but ‘Smash’ is gonna be special, because it’s not just a musical, it’s a love letter to musicals. I can’t wait for students to dig into Marc and Scott’s fantastic songs. I think it’ll inspire a whole new generation of theater kids, just like working on it was such a joyful time for me.”
“‘Smash’ was a labor of love,” said Martin. “I am thankful for Concord’s support during the development process and thrilled that they are partnering with us to bring this big, sassy, ballsy, flashy, fun, singing, dancing celebration to the world!”
“Smash” officially opened at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on April 10, 2025, where it ran through June 22. Its Broadway production starred Robyn Hurder and Caroline Bowman, with Brooks Ashmanskas receiving a Tony nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his turn as Nigel.
