MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews — Page 20

AC126748 said: ""At its core,Maybe Happy Endingis a story about the longing for connection and the complexities of being human (and Helperbot, and Vegetable) — universal themes that transcend all backgrounds. We’re proud to continue embracing infinite and exciting possibilities in casting, and to showcase this role as one that welcomes different interpretations and lived experiences. We’re so excited for what Andrew will bring to this next chapter and can’t wait to see who will plug into Oliver’s charger next."

-Will Aronson, Hue Park, and Michael Arden"

There’s something inherently wrong with your show’s dramaturgy if you have to release a statement like this one.

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "We are still allowed to be disappointed to not allow another Asian actor the opportunity to step into the role… it’s not like there aren’t plenty?"

I don't think either of the above posters were at all suggesting we aren't allowed to be disappointed. They were just providing context for this casting decision.

I still don't love this direction and the potential that these roles may soon be completely whitewashed, but I can't deny that their chemistry will be off the charts.

Updated On: 7/24/25 at 09:12 AM

Please god, don’t let this show get Great Cometed

I feel like Criss is returning after that engagement, for some reason. Perhaps through the holidays?

“This is what happens when white people produce shows about people of color. Every time.”

Please list those times.

Helperbots are viewed as an underclass in Korean society within the context of the show, so it makes a certain dramaturgical sense that they wouldn't look interchangeable to humans.

Aladdin is a terrible comparison to make here. That show, which is set on the Arabian peninsula and is therefore about Middle Eastern people, is FULL of white actors. The title character was originally played by Adam Jacobs, who is Filipino and white. Jasmine was originally played by Courtney Reed who is Vietnamese and white. Aladdin's three friends were played by white and Latino actors. I haven't seen the same amount of outrage towards this show, which continues to frequently not cast Middle Eastern actors in these roles.

I'm already over the knee jerk reactions on social media. I saw an Instagram comment from some woman saying she hoped what happened to The Great Comet didn't happen to this show...except she was saying it as in "I hope they don't start casting white people in these roles." (I guess folks STILL don't recognize that Pierre was originated by a white guy and that ALL the roles in the production were designed to be played by actors of any race). What's more likely is that the immediate furor online gets picked up by major media and causes a controversy that hurts the show, just like Comet. Except this role is a ROBOT. The creators have signed off on the casting. And obviously the producing team feels like they need someone with a fanbase in one of the lead roles. Andrew Barth Feldman has 226K insta followers. If you want an Asian actor cast, great! Who would you suggest if it needs to be someone who is a known quantity? Telly Leung? Conrad Ricamora? What happens when one of those Asian Broadway actors with a following is busy and scheduling doesn't work out? OR they simply don't want to play this role or be a replacement? 9 weeks is a short contract for a long-running musical, so this reads as "we needed to fill a gap." So why not go with Shen's real-life partner Feldman? He has a decent sized following and the relationship gives the marketing and PR team a built-in selling point. And the creators have okayed it! oy y'all.

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "Aladdin is a terrible comparison to make here. That show, which is set on the Arabian peninsula and is therefore about Middle Eastern people, is FULL of white actors. The title character was originally played by Adam Jacobs, who is Filipino and white. Jasmine was originally played by Courtney Reed who is Vietnamese and white. Aladdin's three friends were played by white and Latino actors. I haven't seen the same amount of outrage towards this show, which continues to frequently not cast Middle Eastern actors in these roles.

I'm already over the knee jerk reactions on social media. I saw an Instagram comment from some woman saying she hoped what happened to The Great Comet didn't happen to this show...except she was saying it as in "I hope they don't start casting white people in these roles." (I guess folks STILL don't recognize that Pierre was originated by a white guy and that ALL the roles in the production were designed to be played by actors of any race). What's more likely is that the immediate furor online gets picked up by major media and causes a controversy that hurts the show, just like Comet. Except this role is a ROBOT. The creators have signed off on the casting. And obviously the producing team feels like they need someone with a fanbase in one of the lead roles. Andrew Barth Feldman has 226K insta followers. If you want an Asian actor cast, great! Who would you suggest if it needs to be someone who is a known quantity? Telly Leung? Conrad Ricamora? What happens when one of those Asian Broadway actors with a following is busy and scheduling doesn't work out? OR they simply don't want to play this role or be a replacement? 9 weeks is a short contractfor a long-running musical, so this reads as "we needed to fill a gap." So why not go with Shen's real-life partner Feldman? He has a decent sized following and the relationship gives the marketing and PR team a built-in selling point. And the creators have okayed it! oy y'all."

So tell me, would you be completely fine with a white genie? I'm asking earnestly.

BorisTomashevsky said: "^ I would be okay with that. A white Genie cover went on in Australia and played it more like Robin Williams."

And do you believe that outrage from Black artists would be justified? Once again, just asking in earnest.

Falsettolands said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "^ I would be okay with that. A white Genie cover went on in Australia and played it more like Robin Williams."

And do you believe that outrage from Black artists would be justified? Once again, just asking in earnest."

I believe outrage from actual genies or specters or apparitions or ghosts MIGHT be justified. Any races that have a problem with it have no argument.

^ It was an Asian actor in a lead role based on an actual person who was white in real life. I think it’s valid to use this as an example of lead roles that have been played by Asian performers.

Updated On: 7/24/25 at 10:37 AM

BorisTomashevsky said: "Falsettolands said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "^ I would be okay with that. A white Genie cover went on in Australia and played it more like Robin Williams."

And do you believe that outrage from Black artists would be justified? Once again, just asking in earnest."

I believe outrage from actual genies or specters or apparitions or ghosts MIGHT be justified. Any races that have a problem with it have no argument."

Interesting. Thank you!