MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 28

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:18am

When Asian performers are still having firsts (Tony for Best Actor in a Musical) and seconds (first Tony for Best Actress in a Musical since Lea Salonga) in 2025 (and also the veteran Francis Jue finally getting his due), it’s quite obvious that it’s not an even playing field and that opportunities for Asian performers that aren’t ensemble, understudy, or replacement tracks are few and far between. The Asian theatre community was over the moon to celebrate a white-passing performer who has been problematic about his Asian identity in the past, so that’s saying something. I know there are going to be people who feel inclined to list a bunch after they read this statement, but Asian men are rarely considered for leads (especially romantic leads) in any form of media. And when people throw out statistics about the percentage of Asians there are in the country, I would say there’s a higher percentage of Asian performers in the pool of NYC talent, which should mean more would get hired, but this isn’t the case. That and seeing this whole MHE situation (among so many other things) would dissuade a young Asian man from pursuing the arts. And that’s why Conrad, who has achieved success in the industry, is paying it forward. He knows how hard it was to be considered for the roles he has gotten. He is one of very few Asians who has had some Hollywood exposure after notable stage appearances. I would argue that he got those opportunities because someone took a chance on him in a plumb role in a theatre production, much like what is happening with Helen J. Shen. 

Yes, Asians are not a monolith and every culture is diverse from each other. There are so few opportunities for Asians to play their own heritage that they are all lumped into the same few roles. If there were enough to go around, maybe it could be more selective, but the AAPI theatre community usually celebrates any Asian performer who gets prominent roles. It is a joyous, passionate, accepting, respectful, loyal community. And anyway, we collectively accepted Kelli O’Hara playing Italian.

If there were more Asian producers/creatives on this team whose opinion on casting mattered, I don’t think we would be in this situation because the backlash would have been spotted miles away, and also they probably wouldn’t have considered anyone non-Asian in the first place. I honestly don’t think the casting director, who helped cast the Asian-only understudies, would have put anyone non-Asian on potential replacement lists for the creatives to consider.

There are so many talented Asian actors who have not been given leading man opportunities. It’s not for lack of talent. It’s not for being bad at auditions. They don’t get hired as often in general and therefore don’t get the experience or the chance to work their way up to being a principal actor. So what’s the solution other than just to cast them? I don’t know. This scholarship will make sure there will be some great options for Asian performers down the line. They will be prepared and ready. I sincerely applaud Conrad for creating this fund. He is someone who is using what little privilege he has for good.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 6:15am

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

Drama Book Shop put out a statement reminding everyone to stay positive at the signing tomorrow. Not sure if they always do that, but thought it was interesting here.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 7:58am

More paragraphs are your friend, Mr Music.

“When Asian performers are still having firsts (Tony for Best Actor in a Musical) and seconds (first Tony for Best Actress in a Musical since Lea Salonga) in 2025 (and also the veteran Francis Jue finally getting his due), it’s quite obvious that it’s not an even playing field and that opportunities for Asian performers that aren’t ensemble, understudy, or replacement tracks are few and far between.”

^ So you’re measuring the playing field and opportunities by the number of WINS? I think the nominations totals would be much more telling. And the number of nominations for Asian Americans over the last ten years is 13 nominations. Does Raul Esparza’s 4 nominations and 0 wins mean he’s not welcome? Or Condola Rashad’s 4 nominations and 0 wins mean she’s also not welcome? 
Also, this all started as opportunities in general. Now you’re separating leading roles from understudy and ensemble? Hahaha. So there ARE opportunities for Asian American actors, no? Just not the ones they waaant… 


“The AAPI theatre community usually celebrates any Asian performer who gets prominent roles. It is a joyous, passionate, accepting, respectful, loyal community.”

^Speaking for everyone everyone eh? Are you sure everyone in that community feels that way? And why is the focus here on prominent roles? Are non-prominent roles not representation? What does this tell people about the worthiness of being in the ensemble or a swing position, whose values were being shouted from the rooftops as overlooked just a few years ago?


”If there were more Asian producers/creatives on this team whose opinion on casting mattered, I don’t think we would be in this situation.”

^NHN Link Corporation, the major Korean producer, is third on the list of about 30 producers. Their opinion on casting matters, and they’re ok with it. 


“I sincerely applaud Conrad for creating this fund. He is someone who is using what little privilege he has for good.”

^ He could afford to put in $18,000 of his own money at the drop of a hat. He’d had two major Broadway roles in the last two years, and three in the last ten years. How on earth can anyone say he has little privilege?

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 07:58 AM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:13am

I’m personally still waiting for another Black person to win the Best Actress Oscar. The lack of a winner since Halle Berry does speak volumes when there were many opportunities to award somebody. So yes, winning industry awards does relate to visibility and opportunity.

Ensemble members, understudies, and replacements don’t win Tony Awards, which is why I mentioned it. Not every performer is suited in the ensemble or as a swing or understudy.

We all know that Korean production company did not make this casting decision. 

Have a great day!

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:24am

“So yes, winning industry awards does relate to visibility and opportunity.”

If someone wins an industry award, it means they are already visible and have had opportunity. 

Can we just have all casting of all shows be done by Asian American committee from now on? Coz no one knows what it’s gonna take to make anyone happy here 😅

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:29am

No, I think you’re just defiantly not listening.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:50pm

HeyMrMusic, thanks for your beautiful and eloquent post!

And bravo to Conrad Ricamora for meeting the moment by doing something positive with his scholarship fund!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-conrad-ricamora-foster-future-asian-acting-talent

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 01:50 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:53pm

Wayman_Wong said: "And bravo to Conrad Ricamora for meeting the moment by doing something positive with his scholarship fund for Asian actors.”

*There’s no moment. Just people who have found a whole lot of nothing to be offended by. 
*Asian male actors.

 

Updated On: 7/30/25 at 01:53 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 4:19pm

Did Conrad Ricamora make a statement or start a fund when he left Oh Mary and was replaced by a non-Asian actor?

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 4:23pm

AC126748 said: "Did Conrad Ricamora make a statement or start a fund when he leftOh Maryand was replaced by a non-Asian actor?"

This is willful trolling. Abraham Lincoln has never been celebrated as a groundbreaking role for an Asian actor. Oliver has.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 4:56pm

pagereynolds said: "AC126748 said: "Did Conrad Ricamora make a statement or start a fund when he leftOh Maryand was replaced by a non-Asian actor?"

This is willful trolling. Abraham Lincoln has never been celebrated as a groundbreaking role for an Asian actor. Oliver has."

It was celebrated as a Tony-nominated role for Ricamora, that should be enough to keep it cast the same way. If Ricamora had won the Tony, no one would have let that role be replaced by anyone non-Asian.

And what’s groundbreaking about Oliver aside from Criss winning the Tony for it? That was Criss’ doing, not the role. 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 04:56 PM

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 7:55pm

Yeah, go Boris. It shouldn’t be about race, it should be about TALENT.  you’ve got Eva noblezada and Audra McDonald playing “white” roles right now. I think that’s great.  Broadway should be about merits, not quotas. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

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

Crusty Bagel said: "Yeah, go Boris. It shouldn’t be about race, it should be about TALENT. you’ve got Eva noblezada and Audra McDonald playing “white” roles right now. I think that’s great. Broadway should be about merits,not quotas."

Exactly. Here we have characters based on actual WASP-y women played by decidedly non-WASP-y women, and when casting was announced I’m sure I heard more “fantastic casting!” than “WTF is this?!” People are truly seeing something that isn’t there with this Andrew thing. 

We’ve already seen a drop in advance sales with Andrew. If there’s any public excitement about him being onstage with his partner, and if these ticket sales are the result of it, can you imagine the sales if the role was cast with an unknown Asian actor (and it WOULD be an unknown, as “names” famously don’t like/are advised not to replace) who DIDN’T bring the human interest factor that Andrew brings? The show could be at risk of closing early. Do y’all wanna be what Cynthia was to the Great Comet? 

Meanwhile B.D. Wong has written an opus on the “situation” which could be a TL/DR’d with: “You already know what I’m going to say.” 

He makes the inane point that anyone who’s part Asian is as much Asian as someone who’s fully Asian. 
Please Andrew, I’m begging you - get that 23 and Me and show them all you’re 1/64th Mongolian!

Updated On: 7/30/25 at 08:28 PM

[Anshel2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 8:38pm

Michael Arden donated

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 8:42pm

Anshel2 said: "Michael Arden donated"

People will say he only donated because the pressure was too much and the optics too bad and that he wouldn’t have donated otherwise. 

You literally cannot please the woke brigade. They juuuuust keeeeep movin’ the liiiiiiine 🎵 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 08:42 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:01pm

Crusty Bagel said: "Yeah, go Boris. It shouldn’t be about race, it should be about TALENT. you’ve got Eva noblezada and Audra McDonald playing “white” roles right now. I think that’s great. Broadway should be about merits,not quotas."

So you think the reason Asian men are so seldom cast as leads in Broadway musicals is because they just aren't talented? That there are so few male Asian actors of talent to merit giving them opportunities? That it wasn't until this year that an Asian male--and a white-presenting one at that--won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical because there just weren't any talented enough?

Enjoy swapping bad takes with Boris. Bye.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:08pm

^ Making an offer is one thing. Casting them is quite another. As I said above, actors often don’t want to or are advised not to replace a starring role. We don’t know how many offers were made to others, if any. 
Also, as I said above, the producers need to keep the show open. If no famous Asian wants to take the role, and if a non-famous Asian might lead to less tickets being purchased, then they are wise to go with an option that has some “true life” element like partners appearing onstage together.

What does Darren need to do to be Asian-presenting? What is Asian-presenting? Who decides what tips the balance on being Asian-presenting? Anything you say is going to be entirely and by default racist, keep that in mind. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:16pm

Is anyone else thinking about Yellow Face and its plot after all this Maybe Happy Ending drama.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:18pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "You literally cannot please the woke brigade. They juuuuust keeeeep movin’ the liiiiiiine"

I have never seen anyone on this site as obsessed with anything as you are with this matter, and that's saying something.

I'll give my opinion: I fully understand the pain that some are feeling about this casting news. I frankly felt something similar when Andrew Garfield was cast in Angels in America. However, I don't think that represented an epochal setback for gay representation on Broadway, and I doubt this will matter much either in the long run. I'm sure at this point that future Olivers will be played by Asian actors, as seems appropriate. And I truly hope none of you are rooting for anyone to be fired from a job they've already been hired for.

[getatme]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:18pm

AC126748 said: "Did Conrad Ricamora make a statement or start a fund when he leftOh Maryand was replaced by a non-Asian actor?"

Chris Renfro is Filipino.

Kumail Nanjiani is Pakistani.

Both are on the continent of Asia.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:30pm

By the way, the funny thing about the sleepy brigade screeching about merit is that the only justifications for his hiring is that he's the star's boyfriend and it'll be soooo cute to see them performing together, and that he's supposedly a "name" or a "draw." Neither of which have anything to do with merit.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:34pm

“I have never seen anyone on this site as obsessed with anything as you are with this matter, and that's saying something.”

Someone has to be. The everything’s-a-problem woke merely have to exist and hardly anyone stands up to it, because they’ve seen what happens. You have to be a bit obsessed and relentless when combating negative energy like what’s happening now, because it only gains strength when no one says anything.
An Asian actress (can I say actress or will I be cancelled) in my building told me today that she and her Asian friends are embarrassed by the outrage. 

Phillip James Brannon, the immediate replacement, is not Asian. 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 09:34 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:42pm

MemorableUserName said: "By the way, the funny thing about the sleepy brigade screeching about merit is that the only justifications for his hiring is that he's the star's boyfriend and it'll be soooo cute to see them performing together, and that he's supposedly a "name" or a "draw." Neither of which have anything to do with merit."

He has merit in spades. Great voice. Dedicated performer. 

But let them cast someone who also has merit but not the human-interest love connection and watch the show close even sooner, and then let’s hear the community complain that audiences are racist because they didn’t support a Korean robot show (starring hardly any actual Koreans).

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:47pm

Gear shift. 

Nothing profound to say here, but Maybe Happy Ending resonates for me not (only) for its allegory about life and death, but for its literal application to our postmillennial lives. It's a poignant depiction of the ways obsolescence engenders genuine emotion. I've always found the Spielberg film from Kubrick's script wrenching (and I won't offer a spoiler, for those who never got to it), the Haley-Joel Osmond character so recognizable and heartbreaking. The musical takes this concept of animated artificial intelligence to another and quite beautiful level, connecting "devices" to each other as well as humans.

But a conversation last week with a friend grieving in advance about turning in a cell phone for a new model made me think of the show's underlying capture of our IT-dictated moment. My friend had seen Maybe Happy Ending and said she feels as strongly about her iPhone "as Oliver wants James to feel about him." Sounds glib, but I believe she landed on something universal in this sweet piece. As someone reluctant to give up my iPhone 12 mini - they don't make the perfectly sized model anymore - despite its battery's slow death, I suddenly related. Our devices are our helper bots. They accompany us everywhere, sit by our beds, rest on restaurant tables, fit into gym togs, enliven train rides, in every possible way share our connectivity to the planet. They are selfless, all-giving companions (think of "Where You Belong" in the show, a quiet paean to just such a relationship in the first 30 minutes), and when their lifespans end - Claire's brutally pragmatic "The Way It Has to Be" - we lose a friend of a sort. Maybe Happy Ending is as much of the moment as the future, its power mysterious yet knowable. 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 09:47 PM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:22pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“...
An Asian actress (can I say actress or will I be cancelled) in my building told me today that she and her Asian friends are embarrassed by the outrage..."

It's possible. Or it's possible she was placating you, in order to avoid an elevator-ride diatribe from you about why she's wrong and her experiences aren't valid.