MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 27

[bear88]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 11:00pm

Wouldn’t Conrad Ricamora be a potential solution here? I don’t know how much longer he is staying in Oh, Mary. He’s not that much older than Darren Criss, and no one objected to the age difference between Criss and Helen J. Shen. Besides, if Shen is leaving anyway, her role could be recast with an older actress if that’s an issue.

There are obviously other directions they could go. I’m just spitballing.

I’m just an old white guy who liked Maybe Happy Ending who wondered how the producers would replace Darren Criss, who went from A Guy Who Can’t Open a Show to Irreplaceable Tony Winner in a short time. 

I am very sympathetic to folks who are disappointed with Andrew Barth Feldman’s selection, with the knowledge that it’s short-term, a bit of a gimmick (due to his real-life relationship with Shen), and the rather amusing realization that many people had no idea that Criss is Asian-American in the first place.

But regardless of the ethnicity of who played the role in workshops, and the fact that the characters are robots, the producers cast Asian-Americans in the lead roles, including their understudies, in a show set in Korea. Now that the musical is a such a success, I don’t blame people (including Asian male actors) from wondering what do they have to do here?

I understand the producers’ dilemma here. They have a beloved, Tony-winning musical to protect - and Criss’ win ironically made their jobs a little harder. Does the show need a semi-familiar name to thrive? (I actually don’t think so, but the limited evidence during Criss’ vacations doesn’t totally support my theory.) Who qualifies as such a name? Can you get around the problem by casting a name actress in Shen’s role? 

I don’t envy anyone here. 

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:26am

Three Asians in a cast of 30 for The Muny’s La Cage, which means 10% representation. Well above the Missouri Asian population percentage of 2.1%. The Muny has listened and we will therefore not try to destroy their show! Be like The Muny! 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:37am

The troll has a lot of time on its hands, I see. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 3:15pm

Playbill.com: Conrad Ricamora Launches Scholarship Fund for Asian Actors Following 'Maybe Happy Ending' Casting Controversy (by Diep Tran)

"Oh, Mary!" actor and Tony nominee Conrad Ricamora wrote on Instagram: "There’s a lot of pain right now. Pain from being told—subtly and explicitly—that we don’t belong. 
Pain from watching history repeat itself, even as we fight for representation.
 Pain that I know so many other Asian American men in this industry have felt before me."

In response, Ricamora announced July 27 that he is launching a scholarship fund for Asian American male actors. He calls it, "The Right to Be There" fund "for Asian American male actors pursuing a BFA or MFA in acting. This is for the ones coming up behind us. For the ones who wonder if there’s space for them. For the ones who need to know: you have a right to be there." 

Ricamora began the fund by donating $18,000. As of press time, the fund as received over $34k on GoFundMe.

Longtime Broadway actor Jose Llana is one of the artists who criticized the Maybe Happy Ending casting decision on social media. He elaborated in a follow-up conversation with Playbill, saying that even though this past season on Broadway has seen Asian men leading shows such as Yellow Face, Oh, Mary!, and Maybe Happy Ending—historically on Broadway, male actors of Asian descent have been "omitted from consideration" for lead roles. To him, Maybe Happy Ending was an opportunity to potentially change that paradigm (he's seen the show three times and had recommended it to friends).

"I’m too old for [the role of] Oliver, but I have so many friends, who I consider my younger brothers—I was so excited this could be something for them," says Llana. "I was fantasizing about all the future Olivers and Claires and James down the road, the potential for all these Asian actors to get their foot in the door...every regional theatre that does it, it gives those actors a chance to have something on their resume that is not King and I, Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song. God bless those shows, but we need more contemporary shows to be able to add to our resumes."

https://playbill.com/article/conrad-ricamora-launches-scholarship-fund-for-asian-actors-following-maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 03:15 PM

[FolliesCabaret]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 3:34pm

I saw this show in previews, so something could have been added, or maybe I just don't remember, but are there any lines or reasons these characters can't be older? If I'm suspending my disbelief to watch singing robots, there's no reason those robots have to be in their 20s. Isn't the whole point that Claire is breaking? I could see that working just as well with someone in their late 30s, early 40s, whatever age honestly. If the helperbots can be as customizable as this world says, why wouldn't somebody want a helperbot that's older?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 4:38pm

FolliesCabaret said: "I saw this show in previews, so something could have been added, or maybe I just don't remember, but are there any lines or reasons these characters can't be older? If I'm suspending my disbelief to watch singing robots, there's no reason those robots have to be in their 20s. Isn't the whole point that Claire is breaking? I could see that working just as well with someone in their late 30s, early 40s, whatever age honestly. If the helperbots can be as customizable as this world says, why wouldn't somebody want a helperbot that's older?"


Ricamora’s statement that he is too old for the role of Oliver I think is his way of making the disclaimer of “For the record, I am mad about not because I wanted the role, but because some of my younger friends did.” Of course, had he been offered it, I’m sure he would have said yes.

Anyway, especially now that the issue has made the headline of Playbill, I can’t imagine Feldman not wanting to drop out at this point. Whether the producers will let him remains be seen.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 5:06pm

''Ricamora’s statement that he is too old for the role of Oliver I think is his way of making the disclaimer of “For the record, I am mad about not because I wanted the role, but because some of my younger friends did.” Of course, had he been offered it, I’m sure he would have said yes.''

Get your facts straight. The actor who said he is too old to play Oliver wasn't Conrad Ricamora; it was Jose Llana. You have no idea what Llana would've said if offered the role. But I know Llana, have interviewed him and believe him. He would've turned it down because he's 49. 

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 05:06 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 5:12pm

As the fund is for Asian American Male Actors, can we expect a separate faction of Asian American Female Actors to begin a campaign against Ricamora? 

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 05:12 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 5:54pm

Wayman_Wong said: "''Ricamora’s statement that he is too old for the role of Oliver I think is his way of making the disclaimer of “For the record, I am mad about not because I wanted the role, but because some of my younger friends did.” Of course, had hebeen offered it, I’m sure he would have said yes.''

Get your facts straight. The actor who said he is too old to play Oliver wasn't Conrad Ricamora; it was Jose Llana. You have no idea what Llana would've said if offered the role. But I know Llana, have interviewed him and believe him. He would've turned it down because he's 49."

Chill, dude. I read the article early this morning and made that BWW post several hours later. I think misattributing a quote is a harmless error in this case. Also, I am - as I imagine you are - of the opinion that Feldman should drop out. Save your outrage for someone else. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 5:59pm

Llana can easily pass as under 40 onstage, as he does not (in appearance or performance) come across as a year shy of 50.

An actor who’s outspoken out about representation and opportunities would not turn down one because they felt they were too old. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 6:20pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: 

Chill, dude. I read the article early this morning and made that BWW post several hours later. I think misattributing a quote is a harmless error in this case. Also, I am - as I imagine you are - of the opinion that Feldman should drop out. Save your outrage for someone else.

I was wrong and I apologize. Fixed it for ya. Figured it was a lot more comfortable than twisting yourself into a pretzel trying to justify your mistake(s) and poor memory.

 

 

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 06:20 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 6:33pm

Feeling extra self-righteous today, huh Sutton?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 6:42pm

Not particularly, sugar bear. You telling a person to chill regarding a topic that is important to them is just standard for you. You also can never be wrong which is always SUCH a great quality in a man. Gross. 

Get your facts straight. The actor who said he is too old to play Oliver wasn't Conrad Ricamora; it was Jose Llana. You have no idea what Llana would've said if offered the role. But I know Llana, have interviewed him and believe him. He would've turned it down because he's 49. 

Drag em, Wayman. 

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 06:42 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 6:57pm

Hey Sutton: chill. I admitted I was wrong about the person who was quoted in the Playbill article. I am happy to be proved wrong. Being right all of the time would be quite boring, I imagine.

Additionally, I was not telling Wayman to chill about the MHE casting issue, I was telling him to chill towards me about misattributing the Jose Llana quote. Wayman has every right to be pissed about Andrew Barth Feldman taking on a role that really should have gone to an Asian man. So your venom is misplaced. 

Have a great day!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 7:06pm

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 8:25pm

Hollywood Reporter: Conrad Ricamora's scholarship fund for Asian actors raises over $40,000 in less than a day

Tony-nominated actor Conrad Ricamora says he started The Right to Be There, his scholarship fund for Asian-American actors, to do something positive in the wake of the ''Maybe Happy Ending'' casting controversy. In only about a day, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $40,000, Ricamora says, to deal with ''decades of erasure that Asian-American men have felt in theater.'' He added: ''I want young Asian-American men in acting programs to feel seen. I want them to know that ... they have a right to be there. ... The ['Maybe Happy Ending' casting] controversy definitely resonated, and it reminded me that progress is still fragile for Asian-American men in theater, but this scholarship isn’t just about one moment. It’s about a pattern that’s been quietly hurting people for decades.''

Ricamora, who put up $18,000 himself, says the outpouring in donations so far ''makes me emotional. It makes me feel like I’m a part of a community. It makes me feel like there is space, not only for me, but for the people, my friends that I care about in this industry, and the people that will be coming up behind us. It gives me hope that it’s going to get better, and that we have resources, and that are people that are committed to creating a better way forward.''

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/broadway-conrad-ricamora-scholarship-fund-asian-actors-1236331468/

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 08:25 PM

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 8:29pm

Darren Criss cannot stay silent.....this is awful. He must speak out. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:07pm

Oh Conrad… Conrad, Conrad, Conrad. Are you really sure you wanna do this?

Asian Americans have the highest median wealth in the USA. I think you’re about to have other groups (let alone female or otherwise-identifying Asian Americans) feeling a little uneasy about what you’re doing by raising money for Asian American males, and may lose sympathy - that was probably shaky and fraught to begin with - for your self-recognized cause.

You just contributed $18,000 of your own money without blinking. Tell us again how Asian American actors are just trying to make a living?

You claim “pain from being told - subtly and explicitly - that we don’t belong.” You were just nominated for a Tony Award FFS. I can see if I squint (not being racist, calm down, I mean really squint) that one could infer subtle “you don’t belong here” vibes from the Andrew casting, but it really is a stretch. But where has anyone EXPLICITLY said “you don’t belong here”? Just a few months ago Lea Salonga had a running tally of Filipinos on Broadway, and that was just one demographic and only in leading roles!!! Come on, be reasonable. 

“In 2022, the median net worth of Asian households in the US equaled $535,400—close to double that of white households and more than eight times that of Black households, Hispanic households, and households of other racial or ethnic groups.”https://apps.urban.org/features/asian-american-wealth-snapshot/

You may get donations from the usual suspects - self-punishing, self-hating people who are the type who’d put on their oxygen mask last - but don’t be surprised if, over time, you start to hear an echo where people were being neutral and the pendulum of sympathy swings in the other direction.

Do you really wanna open up this door, Conrad?

Bonus quote from Darren Criss in Newsweek back in May: ”I hope to do the show for many, many moons. But, you know, after this original cast is done with their time in the show, I love that we can dare to have a non-Asian cast, as opposed to the other way around.”

Maybe the Asian American acting community should align on where they stand before speaking for one another. Could a Korean actor tell a Japanese actor to F off for presuming to want to play a Korean robot from the future?

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 10:07 PM

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:14pm

KrupYou said: "Darren Criss cannot stay silent.....this is awful. He must speak out."

i mean it must be hard considering a few years back Darren refused to identify as Asian 

 

https://pagesix.com/2018/03/15/darren-criss-thinks-itd-be-unfair-to-identify-as-asian-american/ 

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 10:14 PM

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:22pm

I think this is a really unfortunate situation all the way around.  I saw Maybe Happy Ending and We Had a World (starring Andrew) on the same Broadway trip and thought to myself "oh man... it would be so cool if Andrew could take the role with Helen if Darren ever took a break for a few weeks." 

I had no idea that Darren Criss was part Asian until this controversy took place - at no point is that clear when watching the show. I actually thought the part of Oliver was supposed to be white, since the "owner" was obessed with American culture.  Not that it really made a difference to the story of the show, but as a casual observer, that was my take.

Obviously the whole idea was to put a real life couple on stage - that is a fun marketing angle.  Anyone who has seen Andrew knows he is really good at playing 1 particular type of character... and Oliver fits that perfectly. 

Since this was always a limited 9 week run - it seems it was obviously a short-term casting.  

I'm sure Andrew and Helen were super excited to perform this together - kind of a dream for a Broadway couple. It's sad for them.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:32pm

Tomorrow's the cast signing of the recording at the Drama Bookshop. I wonder if anyone is tempted to cancel....for any reason 🤷‍♂️.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:43pm

Darren Criss in the L.A. Times (March 27, 2025):

''Let's call a spade a spade here — I'm the white-passing Asian of our group, but it is my identity. The AAPI [Asian American Pacific Islander] community in the arts is a smaller, if not marginalized, group, so to be up there, I feel that excitement and encouragement from the community at large. It's important, and I hope this show ['Maybe Happy Ending'] can continue to have that legacy and be an inspiring call to action in other artistic spheres.''

Updated On: 7/28/25 at 10:43 PM

[George in DC]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:46pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Oh Conrad… Conrad, Conrad, Conrad. Are you really sure you wanna do this?

Asian Americans have the highest median wealth in the USA. I think you’re about to have other groups (let alone female or otherwise-i....."

 

Blocking this magat troll

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:46pm

Wayman_Wong said: "Darren Criss in the L.A. Times (March 27, 2025):

''Let's call a spade a spade here — I'm the white-passing Asian of our group, but it is my identity. The AAPI [Asian American Pacific Islander] community in the arts is a smaller, if not marginalized, group, so to be up there, I feel that excitement and encouragement from the community at large. It's important, and I hope this show can continue to have that legacy and be an inspiring call to action in other artistic spheres.''"

As I posted above but will again since you missed my question to you several days ago and might miss my above comments too…

Darren Criss in Newsweek. May 2025: ”I hope to do the show for many, many moons. But, you know, after this original cast is done with their time in the show, I love that we can dare to have a non-Asian cast, as opposed to the other way around.”

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 10:50pm

“Blocking this magat troll” 

One can always rely on robust ad hominem and flimsy argument from you guys.

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 10:50 PM