MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 12:00am

It’s not the end.

Four years after its North American premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, the new, original musical Maybe Happy Ending arrives at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway tomorrow night (October 16), prior to a November 12 official opening. The futuristic romcom stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen as neighboring robots; the two are joined onstage by Dez Duron and Marcus Choi. Music, lyrics, and book for Maybe Happy Ending are by Will Aronson and Hue Park; Michael Arden directs.

“Inside a one-room apartment on the outskirts of Seoul, Oliver lives a happily quiet life, listening to jazz records and caring for his favorite plant. But what else is there to do when you’re a Helperbot 3, a robot that has long been retired and considered obsolete? When his fellow Helperbot neighbor Claire asks to borrow his charger, what starts as an awkward encounter leads to a unique friendship, a surprising adventure, and maybe even… love?”

Who’s making the trek to South Korea?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 12:43am

Caught this at Alliance.  It's oddly very similarly directed to the South Korean production with an American sized budget.  Turning stage, lit panels, slide framing moments etc, like in S. Korea.  Curious if any new ideas have crept in since the Atlanta / S. Korean-styled version that felt a little ...... similar to its eastern counterpart . 

Casting has changed since Atlanta.  My partner worries it's not for the better but  for money.  I'm not sure if actors or creative team will bring in money, as none are known for new musicals?  Criss was cute on Fox glee but seeing him in H2$ wasn't very exciting.

A "new" musical is nice to have in New York, but it also felt so similar of the N. Korea version, is it new or a revival of an established work?

Updated On: 10/15/24 at 12:43 AM

[inception]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 9:28am

Re: is it new or a revival...

Was Les Miz considered new or a revival when the English translation of the French musical was first produced, in a version that came from London?

This was on my longlist to see during my November visit from the West Coast, but got knocked off for a few reasons.  The main being a 7pm start time that I doubt will work on a three show day after see the Jamboree thing.  Alex Moffat for under $100 off-Bwy sold me over Darren Criss. The marketing overall for this has been poor.  Hopefully they push & get onto some of the daytime shows like Kelly Clarkson or Kelly Rippa or Drew Barrymore.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 10:24am

I do have my concerns about the potential longevity. Darren Criss is a draw for many, but the lack of marketing (beyond a logo) makes this one of the many shows competing for space that aren’t making the effort they need to stand out. SWEPT AWAY and TAMMY FAYE are the others.

It really says something that I’m continuing to be bombarded by GATSBY ads on YouTube multiple times every day (to the point of beyond annoyance), but to a lay person, it’s advertised like it’s the only show on Broadway.

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 2:54pm

I’ve been seeing so many ads for this show. I haven’t seen any Gatsby ads at all. 
I hope the dress rehearsal goes well this evening.