MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 16

[binau]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 1:58pm

TimeToDither said: "kidmanboy said: "I have a feeling some perceptions of the score will change once there is a cast recording. It is very well written."

A cast album justifies it being boring in the actual musical?"

No I think the point is that it's hard to take in a new score for the first time - so the patterns, melodies, harmonies etc. aren't as striking or obvious until you listen a couple times. But sometimes once you're familiar it all kind of clicks into place. 

That said, I'm still not 100% convinced in the Maybe Happy Ending score so I'll wait for myself (and I have been listening to the demo tracks!). That's not to say there is anything 'wrong' with it, it serves it purpose. I just think for me at least based on the one viewing the real strength of the show was the book (characters + twists + emotions), the acting and the production/staging. 

In a weird way, I kind of thought the experience was more like a play with music than a musical with a capital B for Broadway. Even looking at the website now I can't say that it reflects the tone of what I thought I saw - which I remembered to be a bit more subtle and not big bright colours like a dance show such as "Here Lies Love". 

This photo below is more how I remembered it...

[binau]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 1:59pm

...

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 4:52pm

Huss417 said: "JSquared2 said: "The over the top praise and emotional outpouringfrom the MHE stans (e.g. "I was crying so hard at the end I could barely walk down the street" to paraphrase just one of them) is REALLY becoming tiresome. It's a cute (but forgettable) little show, with a big budget and some great direction.

If it was running at New World Stages, it could becomethe next "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"."

Thanks for belittling my feelings about the show. I really appreciate it."

 

The opinions I stated were not directed at you, nor at any specific person for that matter.   I had to look for your post to see what you were talking about.  If you read through the thread, there have been numerous posts from people sobbing before, during and after the show -- and the hysterics only seem to be increasing as the run goes on.  It's all becoming a bit...much??

[Dan6]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 10:20pm

OBC recording first listen:
https://youtu.be/kA13pEHiwzQ?si=MG6zLFUqRbVz0QM-

Updated On: 2/13/25 at 10:20 PM

[Dan6]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 10:53pm

I was at the “Firefly Fan Event” performance tonight. Everyone got a “Party Like It’s 2064” tote, a “Little Forest Robots” firefly pin, and a firefly finger light. After the show, the cast (including understudies) did a half-hour audience Q&A along with Michael Arden, Dane Laffrey, Will Aronson, Hue Park, and the stage manager (sorry, didn’t catch his name). The full cast closed with an acoustic medley of songs from the show, with Darren Criss on guitar. It was all lots of fun, and the show was just outstanding, with a sold-out, highly appreciative and respectful audience. It was my second visit, and I was even more moved than the first time (sorry to certain people on this thread, but my wife and I were pretty much crying throughout). Also appreciated the score much more on a second listen, so looking forwrad to the cast recording. Here’s video of the medley:

https://youtu.be/25mPFmsjQzI?si=HMhTden9IV8uyCyK

Updated On: 2/13/25 at 10:53 PM

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 7:07am

BMcGregor said: "Describing any of the work in this show as pedestrian is profoundly unserious."

The score is pedestrian

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:01am

Saw it last night- Maybe Happy Endings was good but not great- Gypsy was the matinee- and it was thrilling- I highly recommend Gypsy!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 1:06pm

Anyone here seeing Hannah Kevitt make her Claire debut this evening?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:24am

The show will make its TV performance debut on The Tonight Show this Monday, March 3. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 12:44am

 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 9:08am

Good lord, Dez Duron's voice is like butter. Chills just from his first note.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 11:20am

Duron has the show's best voice .  Is Criss' voice okay?

Updated On: 3/20/25 at 11:20 AM

[Ensemble1726583963]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 11:57am

What would be wrong with his voice, he sounds great, too. I think they all did a lovely job.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 12:40am

Did anyone here catch Claire Kwon’s Claire debut tonight?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/22/25 at 4:49pm

Steven Huynh made his Oliver debut this afternoon and will be on for most of the week. 

[binau]

Posted: 3/23/25 at 6:55am

Will be interesting to see how/if Darren Criss' absence affects the box office. 

[BETTY22]

Posted: 3/23/25 at 7:55am

There’s plenty to enjoy in this show —the performances are strong, the design is polished, and the energy is undeniable.

It’s fun, it’s flashy, and it knows exactly what kind of show it wants to be.

But for all its charm, something just didn’t click all the way for me.

I liked it. Truly! But I didn’t fall head over heels.

Maybe it was the thin plot, or maybe the emotional beats didn’t land quite as deeply as they could have. Whatever it was, the spark that turns a good night at the theater into a great one was just a little out of reach.

Still, if you’re in the mood for an easy, enjoyable evening, this one more than delivers.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/23/25 at 10:40am

Heard the show is a technical marvel, do we think it'll tour as is? Like is there anything unique about seeing it on Broadway that I wouldn't get to see on tour?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/23/25 at 1:21pm

The physical production would have to be rethought for a touring production. I think it’ll still be magical because Michael Arden and company are smart people, but it will almost certainly be different.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/29/25 at 11:04pm

Christopher James Tamayo made his Oliver debut today. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 2:31am

Arden won't have to rethink the tour much.  Laffrey (set designer) will have the hardest part.  Set will be changed and simplified significantly.  The show will not tour as is or before it closes on Broadway.    It's not a "technical marvel" just a lot of scenic elements, we've seen used before, thrown in the same sink/show.  It tricks to divert from the thin rom-com story & score. 

 

Updated On: 3/30/25 at 02:31 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 2:11pm

MERCH

Updated On: 3/30/25 at 02:11 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/31/25 at 2:23am

In response to truly no one, the scenic and projection design of this show is quite complex with lots of automation, lifts, scrims, and special effects. It requires expert precision from stage management and all crew members to get the timing of the entire show just right. I think the intricate design elements contrast and complement the sophisticated simplicity of the jazz- and traditional musical theatre-influenced, character-driven score, which has heartfelt orchestrations that echo the sentiment of the deeply human story and embody the unspoken emotion. The themes explored in this deceptively simple story are anything but thin, which is why the show has resonated with so many people. When all elements tell the same story, as I believe they do here, that’s a major success.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/31/25 at 2:34am

It's a lot of production to Broadway-fie it more after the Korean runs under Kim Dong-yeon's direction.  It will be interesting to see this simple rom-com in other productions where it will have bigger emotional impact - and the discussion more about the set and the massive production on it.  

It's going to be simplified for any tour.  It will have to be.

Updated On: 3/31/25 at 02:34 AM

[bear88]

Posted: 3/31/25 at 4:44am

CoffeeBreak said: "Arden won't have to rethink the tour much. Laffrey (set designer) will have the hardest part. Set will be changed and simplified significantly. The show will not tour as is or before it closes on Broadway. It's nota "technical marvel" justa lot of scenic elements, we'veseen used before,thrown in the same sink/show. It tricks todivert from the thin rom-com story & score.

You have trashed this show repeatedly for forever. I will see it in less than two weeks, and I might agree with you or disagree. But give it up already. You’re not adding anything new and you’re only reinforcing everyone’s impression that you have some connection with another show - or just have a beef with this one due to something other than the musical’s merit.