The show opens with Dale Wilson Shears, chairman of the fictitious Young American Miss Foundation, explaining to the audience the qualities of an ideal Young American Miss. The contestants begin to enter and, throughout the course of the song, prepare for their journey to the pageant in Santa Rosa, waving goodbye as the number ends.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Historical Production
Broadway Scorecard's critic review coverage begins in 2005. Cast, creative team, and production details are available for this historical production.
Critic Scorecard
Archived critic reviews for this production are being collected and will appear here as they're processed.
Audience Grade
This show predates most audience rating platforms. Critic reviews only.
Awards Scorecard
1986-87 seasonBox Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicFrequently Asked Questions
Is Smile still running on Broadway?
No, Smile has closed. It played at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and closed on January 3, 1987.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueA handsome Art Deco house with a distinctive celestial ceiling and wide auditorium. Sightlines are good from center seats but the wide layout means far-side seats lose some stage width. Notoriously narrow seats make comfort a challenge for longer shows.
Seating Scorecard
5 sectionsClosest and most direct view of the stage at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, with the fullest sound. The standard top pick for any show here.
Based on aggregated audience reports and editorial judgment. Sightlines vary by show and seat.
Original Broadway Cast
- Mana AllenPatti-Lynn BirdContestant/El Centro
- Jodi BensonDoria HudsonContestant/Yuba City
- Anne Marie BobbyRobin GibsonContestant/Antelope Valley
- Andrew CasseseFreddy
- Veanne CoxSandra-Kay MacaffeeContestant/Bakersfield
- Tommy DaggettLittle Bob Freelander
- Donna Marie ElioGina MinelliContestant/San Luis Obispo
- Laura GardnerRobin's mom
Creative Team
- Jerry BelsonPlaywright
- Howard AshmanDirector
- Howard AshmanBook
- Paul GemignaniMusic Direction
- Howard AshmanLyrics
- Marvin HamlischMusic
Quick Facts
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Nov 24, 1986
- Closed
- Jan 3, 1987
- Run Length
- 2 months
- Theater
- Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
- Synopsis
- The show opens with Dale Wilson Shears, chairman of the fictitious Young American Miss Foundation, explaining to the audience the qualities of an ideal Young American Miss. The contestants begin to enter and, throughout the course of the song, prepare for their journey to the pageant in Santa Rosa, waving goodbye as the number ends.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
