What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSmash
Theresa Rebeck · Series · 2012
If you loved Smash, start with Dreamgirls (2006) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Smash across media.
If you loved Smash, you crave stories where the relentless pursuit of artistic perfection inevitably collides with raw human ambition and heartbreak.
Books on the same thread
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
Like the dreamers in Smash, the characters here are driven by an obsession with an idealized vision that ultimately leads to personal tragedy and the loss of innocence.
Never Mind the Happy
Marc Shaiman · Book
Shares a thread with Smash: Creative process.
This memoir offers the same authentic look at the creative process and collaborative friction found in Smash, pulling back the curtain on the real-world stakes of musical theater.
Torch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein · Book · 1983
Explores: drag culture, mother-son relationship, acceptance.
Just as Smash explores the complex lives of theater performers, this play captures the gritty, emotional reality of pursuing personal identity and artistic expression within the New York scene.
Hamilton: The Revolution
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter · Book · 2016
Shares a thread with Smash: Ambition.
For those who enjoyed the behind-the-scenes drama of Smash, this companion provides an intimate look at the grueling work and political intrigue required to build a Broadway masterpiece.
Films on the same thread
Whiplash
Damien Chazelle · Film · 2014
Shares 2 threads with Smash: Ambition, Musical Drama.
While Smash focuses on theater, this film mirrors the intense, high-stakes perfectionism and the blurred lines between mentorship and abuse that define the pursuit of greatness in any field.
Nashville
Robert Altman · Film · 1975
Shares 2 threads with Smash: Ambition, Musical Drama.
Much like the ensemble dynamics in Smash, this film tracks a web of ambitious characters all struggling to navigate the cutthroat and often corrupt music industry in Nashville.
The Social Network
David Fincher · Film · 2010
Shares a thread with Smash: Ambition.
This film captures the same sharp, ambitious energy found in Smash, focusing on the betrayal and personal cost that often accompany the rapid creation of a cultural phenomenon.
Dreamgirls
Film · 2006
Shares a thread with Smash: Musical Drama.
Fans of Smash will recognize the familiar arc of fame, ambition, and personal sacrifice as these singers fight to break through barriers and claim their moment on the stage.
Podcasts on the same thread
RADIOSHOW
Podcast
Explores: celebrity interviews, pop culture analysis, behind the scenes.
This podcast mirrors the deep-dive interest in the artistic process seen in Smash, providing the same analytical look at the craft behind the curtain in theater and film.
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
If the serialized, character-driven drama of Smash kept you hooked, this long-running audio series offers a similar immersion into the complicated, interconnected lives of its rural community members.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the central premise of Smash?
Smash follows a diverse group of dreamers and schemers who share a single, common desire to become a Smash. The series explores the beauty and heartbreak of Broadway theater as these individuals strive to achieve success in the competitive world of professional stage production.
Who created the television series Smash?
The television series Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck. The show originally premiered in 2012 and focuses on the high-stakes environment of Broadway, documenting the lives of those attempting to make a name for themselves in the theater industry.
Is Smash focused on the Broadway theater industry?
Yes, Smash is entirely focused on the Broadway theater industry. The series highlights the beauty and heartbreak of the stage, tracking a cross section of characters who are all working toward the goal of becoming a Smash while navigating the pressures of the New York theater scene.
What is the main goal for characters in Smash?
The main goal for characters in Smash is to become a Smash. This ambition drives the narrative as the show follows various dreamers and schemers throughout their journey in the Broadway theater world, balancing the beauty of their craft with the heartbreak of the industry.