(Photo Credit: NBC.com)
Cue the glitz, glamor, lights, and pray that you won’t forget me! It was announced earlier today that producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron would host a one night only concert presentation benefiting The Actors Fun called Bombshell.
Bombshell is the musical based on the short-lived TV series Smash. It was also confirmed that making appearances for the reunion of this stellar show would be the famous cast, including Megan Hilty, Katherine McPhee, Debra Messing, Christian Borle, and Will Chase.
The Actors Fund announced that the event would be taking place on Monday, June 8, 2015, at The Minskoff Theatre (currently home to Disney’s THE LION KING). For those of you who are unaware, no performance of THE LION KING has been canceled that night, because the show is “dark” or does not run Monday evenings!
Bombshell tells the iconic story of the life, career, and death of America’s Sweetheart Marilyn Monroe. It follows her rise to fame, battle with drugs and alcohol, as well as her steamy relationships with some of the biggest names in the 20th century during that time.
(Photo Credit: NBC.com)
This was the basis of the TV series Smash; the behind the scenes look at putting up a show on Broadway, from its conception to opening night and beyond. It showed the ups and downs of show business, from friendships and love, success and failures, rehearsals and auditions, and the cruel dog eat dog world that the musical theater world can sometimes be, including sleeping your way to the top.
It had every musical theater junkie glued to their seats each week to watch what would happen between Karen (McPhee), and Ivy (Hilty), as they both tried to make it as the next ‘Marilyn’. So will Bombshell be saying “Broadway here I come”? It is unlikely as of now. It has been stated by the producers of the show that though there has been a demand for this to come to the stage on Broadway, they currently have no plans to do so.
The Actors Fund is a non- profit organization that represents and works for everyone in the industry from actors, directors, producers, stage managers, and more. To provide them with benefits for medical expenses, and to make sure they are taken care of in times of need, and when they are retired.
They are an incredible organization that works with a budget of 27 million dollars a year. They hold big events like the Actors Fund Gala, and different staged readings and concert events! ”We’re incredibly grateful to Craig and Neil and to everyone in this generous cast and creative team,” said TONY Award winner, and Actors Fund Chairman, Brian Stokes Mitchell exclusively. “Bombshell will be a one-of-kind benefit night thanks to them, and will raise much-needed funds to help The Actors Fund continue their unique mission of helping everyone in need in our performing arts community across the country.”
One of the incredible things about this organization is they allow everyday people to be a part of the magic that is happening on Broadway. This concert is allowing fans to listen to songs from the beloved show such as “Let me Be Your Star”, “Let’s Be Bad”, and others as well. Tickets will go on sale for this show on April 14th.
However, in an attempt to raise even more money for this event, and to make sure enough money is raised, the Actors Fund has started a Kickstarter campaign which is allowing you to donate money, and get little incentive/ goodies for donating. Among the rewards are the following Bombshell items: bumper stickers, hats, posters, rehearsal access, and post-show party access.
Of course, this all depends on your donations! For instance, if you donate $10, you will receive a Bombshell bumper sticker for your car; if you donate $100 you get advanced ticket notifications on April 13th, a ‘Thank you’ on the Actors Fund Website, as well as in the commemorative program, the bumper sticker, and a commemorative baseball hat.
If you are really feeling generous, or have a big checkbook with a lot of money (first, let me know and I will be happy to take some), you receive a lot more. You can pledge the $10,000 level and receive all the following: a one year “Friends” level Actors Fund membership, show poster, 4 passes to attend the rehearsal on the day of the event, 4 VIP center orchestra tickets to see the show and 4 passes for the VIP Cast Party Photo with members of the cast!
This is sure to be a night that will be all for the taking with all the magic we’ll be making and much more! Tickets will range in price ($100/$125/$200/$250/$500) and, as stated before, will be on sale to the public April 14, 2015 (NOTE: Backing the concert DOES NOT mean you have a ticket, you still need to purchase one from Ticketmaster, unless you paid for the option that includes tickets!).
Tickets that include a post-performance cast party will start at $1,000 (so start saving). This will be a helluva night, and for any Smash fan, this will be a night you will not forget! I will be sending out an update via Twitter and Facebook the day tickets go on sale!!
Please comment below and tell us about your excitement for this show, and who your favorite Smash character was, as well as your favorite song!
Bombshell’s creatives: Marc Shaiman (Music & Lyrics), Scott Wittman (Lyrics; Co-Director), Joshua Bergasse (Choreographer; Co-Director), and Producers: Craig Zadan, Neil Meron.
For more information about the Bombshell event, please visit, www.actorsfund.org/Bombshell
Location:
The Minskoff Theatre
200 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10019