Choreographer Joshua Bergasse reacts to his 2025 Tony nomination for 'Smash'

Don't say yes until he's finished talking! Bergasse, who also choreographed the original TV show, is thrilled to represent the joyful Smash musical this season.

Let him be your star! The new musical Smash, which digs into the juicy behind-the-scenes drama during the making of a Marilyn Monroe Broadway musical, scored two Tony Award nominations, including one for Joshua Bergasse for Best Choreography.

“It’s very exciting,” Bergasse told New York Theatre Guide about this prestigious recognition. “I’m really happy that I can represent our show and […] spread the word about how joyous [it] is.”

This is Bergasse’s second Tony nomination: He was previously nominated back in 2015 for the Broadway revival of On the Town. “It’s been a while,” Bergasse said. “So it’s nice to be recognized again.” (Also recognized from Smash is three-time nominee Brooks Ashmanskas in the Best Featured Actor in a Musical category.)

Smash was a particularly fun project for Bergasse, who also choreographed the dynamic routines on the original TV series – and won an Emmy Award for his work. Now he’s brought this love letter to theatre onto a Broadway stage.

“It was such a great, great opportunity when I did it on TV,” he explained. “And then to […] take that material and revisit [it], and also to create some new material, with brand new collaborators […] it’s really been great.”

Those collaborators include the esteemed director Susan Stroman. Working with her has been “a career high,” enthused Bergasse. He also loved getting to choreograph for talented cast members such as Robyn Hurder, who stars as Marilyn actress Ivy Lynn. “I’m so lucky,” said Bergasse.

Smash is not just a show for fans of the original TV series, Bergasse pointed out, although it does have “a lot of the familiar songs and choreography”. But it features a “totally different” story: “It’s not a melodrama. It’s a fall-out-of-your-seat-laughing comedy. And if you didn’t see the TV show, you’re not going to be lost.”

He’s thrilled with the musical’s reception: “Audiences are loving it. Every night […] the audience is having a blast.” Smash’s new Tony nominee summed up: “It’s a real great show for everybody.”

Get Smash tickets now.

Photo credit: Smash on Broadway. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)