Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Will Lead MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway- Page 5

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 1:48pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "So I guess the answer to my initial question on this thread is no,Criss cannot sell a new musical. Hewill also be on the insufferable Z100 morning show tomorrow, andI'll assume this is where the bad news will become official.

The Belasco would be a nice fit forThe Motive and the CueorGlengarry Glen Ross.

"

Hey now let's not hit Elvis Duran with collateral damage. I happen to enjoy the morning show.

[malcs98]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:08pm

theatergoer3 said: "If not where the current sourcing is from, there is a TikTok by the Oracle.

Edit: Criss is on SiriusXM tmrw for this and Elsie Fest"

Can we just realize that the Sweaty Oracle is the worst...he gets most his information from chat forums like this one and probably speculation. I don't know if he has industry connections at all, but if you're a theatre influencer like myself, or work in Broadway press, there is no way he should have access to all of this information. It's gotten to the point where I don't trust a single thing he says. 

UPDATE: The production just uploaded an advertising video on IG and TikTok 29 minutes ago as of this message.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 03:08 PM

[MatthewS1]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:13pm

I honestly do wonder if someone swooped in and saved the show. They just posted on TikTok for the first time in 6 days.

[malcs98]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:26pm

Maybe...but don't forget marketing a show takes time... and believe me, I've seen little marketing for some of the new shows this fall 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:27pm

Whether it's true or not, sometimes agencies aren't privy to this stuff OR they have the directive to keep posting to fend off rumors. The show also posted on Instagram yesterday. Even financially-stable shows don't need to be posting on TikTok this far out. There's nothing to share.

Last year there were at least two shows that were allegedly exploring options to shut down prior to rehearsals beginning (Heart of Rock & Roll and Ohio) due to funding issues. Both made it to Opening Night, both closed quickly at a total loss for investors. So what the Oracle is reporting may indeed be true NOW, and in a few days it may no longer be true. Things change rapidly for lots of reasons.

Also depends on how much has yet to be committed. If they're missing $5 million, that might be raisable. If they're missing $10 million, that's a much bigger thing.

Whatever it is must have happened quickly because the show changed its key art on August 7th.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 03:27 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/18/24 at 2:15am

Updated On: 8/18/24 at 02:15 AM

[malcs98]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 2:12pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Whether it's true or not, sometimes agencies aren't privy to this stuff OR they have the directive to keep posting to fend off rumors. The showalso posted on Instagram yesterday. Even financially-stable shows don't need to be posting on TikTok this far out. There's nothing to share.

Last year there wereat leasttwo shows that were allegedly exploring options to shut down prior to rehearsals beginning (Heart of Rock & Roll and Ohio) due to funding issues. Both made it to Opening Night, both closed quickly at a total loss for investors. So what the Oracle is reporting may indeed be true NOW, and in a few days it may no longer be true. Things change rapidly for lots of reasons.

Also depends on how much has yet to be committed. If they're missing $5 million, that mightbe raisable. If they're missing $10 million, that's a much bigger thing.

Whatever it is must have happened quickly because the show changed its key art on August 7th."

OK EXCITING UPDATE EVERYONE: According to Sweaty Oracle, the payment has been met and the show will be going on as set load-in is rescheduled to start tomorrow!!!

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 2:50pm

That was a quick cash infusion. But also paired with the sudden radio PR interview getting pulled, not a look that inspires confidence. 

 

 Luckily most of your prospective investors these days aren't listening to Tik Tok or this board for their news. So there's that, I guess.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 2:52pm

I hope they make it! The sales aren't really looking great still. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 11:39am

I bet this opens and closes. Ticket prices are terribly pricey for a low budget musical with no stars and it's not selling at all!

Our Sunset and Tammy tickets in front mezz were far cheaper than what they're asking $258-$318!!!

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 11:48am

This is the last I'm going to try to chime in on this for a while, but I didn't realize this was shortened to 90 minutes. Was it always that way? I swore when I saw it in Atlanta there was an intermission. That's honestly disappointing. 

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 12:16pm

Well you remembered wrong. It was always one act and 90 minutes long. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 12:35pm

Robbie2 said: "a low budget musical with no stars"

This show reportedly costs $18 million and it has Darren Criss (an Emmy and SAG Award winner) in the cast.

That doesn't make it good, nor does it guarantee it will sell well enough to have a long run, but don't spread falsehoods.

Updated On: 8/21/24 at 12:35 PM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 12:38pm

It just looks like an off broadway show to me.  Theres only two people on stage?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 12:48pm

Broadway Flash said: "It just looks like an off broadway show to me. Theres only two people on stage?"

I mean, idk how many people are onstage at a given time but 4 actors/characters have been announced so far (double the cast size of GUTENBERG, LAST FIVE YEARS, LADY DAY, and I DO, I DO). 

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/maybe-happy-ending-539781#OpeningNightCast

 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 12:48pm

QueenTwinnied said: "Well you remembered wrong. It was always one act and 90 minutes long."

Why thank you, how kind. This only increases my vitriol for a 90 minute musical costing $18 million. Ask anyone in town for a copy of the offering documents.

[charlie525600]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 1:10pm

I don't understand the confusion that a one act musical is similarly expensive to a 2 act. The cast/crew/musicians still have to be paid in full - the productions' expenses aren't proportionate to the runtime.

There are 4 cast members, 2 leads and 2 supporting, high tech sets, an original score, and a charming plot. Not every story is better told with an intermission - Come From Away, Once On This Island, and Six have all been successful without one.

I'm a bit saddened by the negativity towards this show from folks who have never seen it. "Maybe Happy Ending" has been a huge hit in Korea, had several successful runs in China and Japan, and won many awards abroad. It also had a well sold run in Atlanta with an overall positive reception. I'm personally really excited for it

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 6:31pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "QueenTwinnied said: "Well you remembered wrong. It was always one act and 90 minutes long."

Why thank you, how kind. This only increases my vitriol for a 90 minute musical costing $18 million. Ask anyone in town for a copy of the offering documents."

Drop the vitriol. You were spreading wrong info and I corrected you. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 7:56pm

Grossed out but can't say I'm not surprised by the high ticket prices, his name was getting $180-$350 for Little Shop. But the Little Shop name was a big help. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 9:53pm

FYI at the end of today's Elvis Duran show, he said Darren might be interviewing tomorrow. Interesting that he said maybe.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 10:23pm

charlie525600 said: "II'm a bit saddened by the negativity towards this show from folks who have never seen it. "Maybe Happy Ending" has been a huge hit in Korea, had several successful runs in China and Japan, and won many awards abroad. It also had a well sold run in Atlanta with an overall positive reception. I'm personally really excited for it"

So... Big in Japan?

But in all seriousness, I'm praying for all these upcoming musicals (especially new ones) that have 90% of unsold seat inventory. Some plays seem to be doing much better, thankfully. Limited runs, lean sets and tiny cast, especially if an A list celeb is involved, is the only way to make to make some money it seems. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 10:32pm

Updated On: 8/21/24 at 10:32 PM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 11:15pm

They’re loading in the theatre according to their socials.  Darren criss took a picture in front of the theatre. So it seems like it’s happening 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 11:54pm

Updated On: 8/21/24 at 11:54 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/22/24 at 7:29pm

Darren was on Elvis Duran Show, and discusses the show!

Darren Criss On Elsie Fest 2024, Broadway's 'Maybe Happy Ending' + More | Elvis Duran Show