MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 29

[kdogg36]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 12:14am

BorisTomashevsky said: "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."

What do you think is more important: combating Trump, or combating those who are unhappy with this casting?

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 5:25pm

Playbill.com: Tony-Winning Advocacy Organization AAPAC Decries 'Maybe Happy Ending' Casting Decision

The Asian American Performers Action Coalition, which received the 2022 honorary Tony Award for their work in advocating for diversity in theatre, has expressed their "profound disappointment at the Broadway production Maybe Happy Ending's decision to cast a non-AANHPI actor in the role of Oliver."

https://playbill.com/article/tony-winning-advocacy-organization-aapac-decries-maybe-happy-ending-casting-decision

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 5:41pm

I'm wanting to be very careful - I'm not trying to offend or argue with anyone.  

But Andrew IS a very talented actor and he would, I imagine, have a very good on-stage chemistry with Helen.  If the producers felt like, out of everyone who auditioned, Andrew was the best for the role with Helen - would you want the producers to give it to another actor simply because Andrew isn't asian? 

Well if that's the case, then the producers should have put "casting is only open to Asian actors" - it would not be fair to say they are open to all races, if they are in fact not. 

I'm honestly, not understanding why this has turned into such a big issue.  Does everybody in the cast have to be Asian? Or just the 2 stars? 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 5:45pm

hicaesar said: "I'm wanting to be very careful - I'm not trying to offend or argue with anyone.

But Andrew IS a very talented actor and he would, I imagine, have a very good on-stage chemistry with Helen. If the producers felt like, out of everyone who auditioned, Andrew was the best for the role with Helen - would you want the producers to give it to another actor simply because Andrew isn't asian?

Well if that's the case, then the producers should have put "casting is only open to Asian actors" - it would not be fair to say they are open to all races, if they are in fact not.

I'm honestly, not understanding why this has turned into such a big issue. Does everybody in the cast have to be Asian? Or just the 2 stars?"

I agree, and look forward to the replies to your comment. 

[Idiot]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 6:46pm

Maybe an Identity Politics Outrage thread could house these posts?  

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:01pm

kdogg36 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "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."

What do you think is more important: combating Trump, or combating those who are unhappy with this casting?"

What is there to combat with Trump? He just did an amazing trade deal with the EU, last I heard.

Another question to pose to the vocal majority: if a black American actor was cast as Oliver instead of Andrew, would people be upset about it? By the current logic, they should be. Would they be as comfortable about voicing their displeasure as they are currently?

Further to that - the list of donor names on Conrad’s GoFundMe are exclusively Asian and or white. Will other races be called out as being unsupportive of equality in casting? Or do they see this furor for the BS that it truly is? 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:15pm

Gotta love Ms. Diep Tran and her Playbill article!  Isn't she the same one a few years ago with the poorly worded (and interpreted as Anti-Semitic) tweet about Leopoldstadt that got the producers of that show justifiably riled up?  Tweets were quickly deleted and apologies made, but even so. Her "I was careless. I will be better" reply didn't do it for me.  One original comment to her post (very early on in her tenure at Playbill) - "it's appalling to hear this enforcement of antisemitic stereotypes coming from inside the theater community."  But at least she didn't insist on checking the religion of all those in that cast. 

How many nails left in the coffin of Broadway before it is completely sealed shut?  From Miss Saigon, Great Comet, to Sierra Boggess in West Side Story, to not enough gays in Falsettos, or not enough Jews in Fiddler, or that Tootsie was insulting to the Trans community. And lets not forget the furor over the Tour Cast Fanny Brice being Jewish or not.    This will never end. I see no hope. And I am usually quite an optimistic person. 

Broadway is a business.  And for such an uproar over casting an actor for 9 weeks so he could join his girl friend  in the show (giving it a nice romantic touch) --- what harm was done?   Exactly none.  The producers didn't say "oh hey we are gonna cast Andrew because it will offend everyone".  It is a business.  They thought the romance angle would sell tickets and Andrew is a "name".  And for Andrew --- how nice to get a well-paying gig.  Which hopefully he still will. 9 weeks folks.  It isn't worth the upset.  And Asian actors can then continue to play Oliver until the end of time. 

We will see how this plays out  Broadway will calm down until the next group of folks needlessly protests a casting decision, and then the show begins again.

Truly No Business Like Show Business. And not in a good way. Will the creatives in casting  now be forced to make decisions only to avoid mob response.?

 

 

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:39pm

Very well said, Franklin.

One has to wonder about the journalistic impartiality of Diep Tran in writing that article (there’s none). She has multiple people quoted as “against” the casting, says the producers did not respond to a request for comment, but could easily cut from any of this thread or multiple Reddit threads to show that there are people who think Andrew’s casting is fine. And we know she’s got to be reading all the threads. Where’s the impartiality? From the editor-in-chief, no less!

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:52pm

FranklinDickson2018 said: "
Broadway is a business. And for such an uproar over casting an actor for 9 weeks so he could join hisgirl friend in the show (giving it a nice romantic touch) --- what harm was done? Exactly none. The producers didn't say "oh hey we are gonna cast Andrew because it will offend everyone". It is a business. They thought the romance angle would sell tickets and Andrew is a "name". And for Andrew --- how nice to get a well-paying gig. Which hopefully he still will. 9 weeks folks. It isn't worth the upset. And Asian actors can then continue to play Oliver until the end of time.
 

Which is it, Broadway is a business or it's a benevolent, romantic entity that exists to let boys join their girlfriends in shows? 

Looking at the seating charts on Telecharge a week after the announcement, it doesn't look like his casting is selling anything. Pissing people off for someone who isn't a name and doesn't move tickets...what a great business decision.

Because no, they didn't say, ""oh hey we are gonna cast Andrew because it will offend everyone". They said, "oh hey we are gonna cast Andrew even though it will offend people". If they didn't know this would piss people off, they're idiots. The Miss Saigon situation was 35 years ago. People were protesting this exact thing 35 years ago, there was a n acclaimed play about it on Broadway running concurrently with this show(!), and all they did was prove nothing has changed. (The Hellboy situation was less than 10 years ago!) If an Asian actor can't be the lead in a show set in South Korea (yes, even playing a robot), what shows do Asian actors--and no, not actresses; even Mackintosh was willing to have an Asian woman as long as he had a WHITE MAN in the lead--get to be the leads of?

And if an Asian actor doesn't even get to be the first replacement so the white boy can be with his girlfriend and not sell tickets, what's the indication that Asian actors can play Oliver until the end of time?

For the person who said they don't get why this has been a big deal: people have been calling out this exact thing for DECADES.  It has been a big deal for decades. If nothing changes, people are still going to be upset about it. It would be easy to not have people protest: if producers stop pulling this sh**.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:04pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "kdogg36 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "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."

What do you think is more important: combating Trump, or combating those who are unhappy with this casting?"

What is there to combat with Trump? He just did an amazing trade deal with the EU, last I heard.

Another question to pose to the vocal majority: if a black American actor was cast as Oliver instead of Andrew, would people be upset about it? By the current logic, they should be. Would they be as comfortable about voicing their displeasure as they are currently?

Further to that - the list of donor names on Conrad’s GoFundMe are exclusively Asian and or white. Will other races be called out as being unsupportive of equality in casting? Or do they see this furorfor the BS that it truly is?"

Jesus Christ. The only BS on here is the low life ignorant right wing BS that you insist on vomiting all over this board on a daily basis. Get a freaking life. Maybe your orange cult leader needs an intern. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:24pm

No more ad hominem please Matt, I’m full.

”Looking at the seating charts on Telecharge a week after the announcement, it doesn't look like his casting is selling anything.”

^Name me an Asian actor who would have accepted the role who would have sold more tickets than Andrew has.

This is not at all the same as the Miss Saigon thing.

And I’ll ask again, since no one answered several days ago (funny that), if the Engineer is half white, why can’t a fully white person play him? Why is fully Asian okay to play the role, and there is no uproar from anyone about it? 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:24pm

MemorableUserName said:
For the person who said they don't get why this has been a big deal: people have been calling out this exact thing for DECADES. It has been a big deal for decades. If nothing changes, people are still going to be upset about it. It would be easy to not have people protest: if producers stop pulling this sh**."

That was me. I'm not sure what "this exact thing" is?  

My question is - should the auditions for this show say "only open to asian actors?"  And if so, why?  

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:31pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "No more ad hominem please Matt, I’m full.

”Looking at the seating charts on Telecharge a week after the announcement, it doesn't look like his casting is selling anything.”

^Name me an Asian actor who would have accepted the role who would have sold more tickets than Andrew has.

This is not at all the same as the Miss Saigon thing.

And I’ll ask again, since no one answered several days ago (funny that), if the Engineer is half white, why can’t a fully white person play him? Why is fullyAsian okay to play the role, and there is no uproar from anyone about it?"

Oh good. More ignorant right wing blabbity blabbity blabbity blab blab.  

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:36pm

^ Oh sh!t you really got me with that solid, well-articulated argument. I’m gonna delete my account. 

Lol. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:40pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "^ Oh sh!t you really got me with that solid, well-articulated argument. I’m gonna delete my account.

Lol."

I wish someone would delete it for you. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:43pm

I wish they would making blocking members more efficient. I also wish people would go through some extra clicks to do it as opposed to quoting and incessantly replying to nonsense and continuing it. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:48pm

10 Years Ago

Emma Stone: the whitest Asian person Hollywood could find

Cameron Crowe’s Aloha is set in Hawaii and aims to reflect the ‘rich culture and history’ of the Polynesian island – with Stone cast as a half-Asian character, supported by an all-white cast. Isn’t that reflection a little blurred?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/shortcuts/2015/jun/02/emma-stone-whitest-asian-cameron-crowe-aloha-hawaii

"I thought pretending to be people you’re not was the whole point of acting?

Up to a point. I mean, it might be a bit odd to see a black actor playing, say, Don Corleone. So it would be nice if an Asian-American actor could be found to play an important Asian-American role, on the rare occasions one comes up.

...

Don’t say: “There just aren’t many bankable Asian-American stars to choose from.”

Do say: “MAYBE THIS IS WHY!!”"

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:54pm

(For those asking if anyone is calling on Feldman to be fired, I haven't seen anyone do so. But there is a way to handle such a situation with grace and class.)

 

8 Years Ago

Ed Skrein Exits ‘Hellboy’ Reboot After Whitewashing Outcry

"Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family," the actor wrote in a statement one week after he joined the film.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ed-skrein-exits-hellboy-reboot-whitewashing-outcry-1033431/

"The actor, who is known for playing the villain in last year’s Deadpool, joined the cast of the Hellboy reboot last week and was set to play rugged military member Major Ben Daimio, who in the comic books is Asian. Some on social media objected to the casting, calling it another example of Hollywood whitewashing a character. And after a mounting outcry, Skrein has decided to leave the project, sharing the news Monday on Twitter.“It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voice in the Arts. I feel it is important to honour and respect that. Therefore I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately,” the British actor wrote in a statement. “Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family. It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity. It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the Arts a reality.”"

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:59pm

Maybe it’s a cultural thing?  Maybe this is a stereotype, but I’ve heard a lot of stories of strict Asian parents wanting their kids to do well in math and science so they could grow up to be doctors and engineers.  Are there that many Asians even in the audition room? 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:00pm

MemorableUserName said: "(For those asking if anyone is calling on Feldman to be fired, I haven't seen anyone do so. But there is a way to handle such a situation with grace and class.)



8 Years Ago

Ed Skrein Exits ‘Hellboy’ Reboot After Whitewashing Outcry

"Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family," the actor wrote in a statement one week after he joined the film.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ed-skrein-exits-hellboy-reboot-whitewashing-outcry-1033431/

"The actor, who is known for playing the villain in last year’s Deadpool, joined the cast of the Hellboy reboot last week and was set to play rugged military member Major Ben Daimio, who in the comic books is Asian. Some on social mediaobjected to the casting, calling it another example of Hollywood whitewashing a character. And after a mounting outcry, Skrein has decided to leave the project, sharing the news Monday on Twitter.“It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voice in the Arts. I feel it is important tohonourand respect that. Therefore I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately,” the British actor wrote in a statement. “Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family. It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice toinclusivity. It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the Arts a reality.”""

Before my reply to this, I just wanna state that I think it's not a great look for the show, and they should've continued with the representation they were so proud of. 

But I can't help feeling that Feldman feels supported by his girlfriend, a Chinese woman and the original star of the show, and the South Korean creator of the show. I could imagine he is having very conflicted feelings. I'm not sure that I would come to the conclusion to drop out under those circumstances either.... 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:04pm

If they cast an unknown Asian actor as Oliver and the show closes early because of it, people will just blame the audience and call them racist for not buying tickets to see the unknown actor.

There’s no way to satisfy you. 

Remember when this show almost didn’t proceed because they couldn’t raise enough money? Remember when it was hardly selling during its first months? There was almost nothing to complain about. Now someone comes in, willing to take on the role, who has the real life romantic connection which will charm the public when they hear more about it, but people would rather go without that connection and likely close the show… okay.

I hope Andrew and Helen are excited about being onstage together and I hope they know there will be lots of support in person despite what is happening online. 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:13pm

Hey Franklin, if the right wing troll is agreeing with you, you may be on the wrong side of the argument... 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:18pm

iluvtheatertrash said: 
But I can't help feeling that Feldman feels supported by his girlfriend, a Chinese woman and theoriginal star of the show, and the South Korean creator of the show. I could imagine he is having very conflicted feelings. I'm not sure that I would come to the conclusion to drop out under those circumstances either...."

I feel terrible for Andrew and Helen - while I don't "know" him - Andrew seems like one of the nicest and most sincere actors out there. This will (hopefully still) be his second "Broadway" role, and this is Helen's debut. For a young broadway couple it's literally a dream come true!

[Matt Rogers]

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

FranklinDickson2018 said: "Gotta love Ms. Diep Tran and her Playbill article! Isn't she the same one a few years ago with the poorly worded (and interpreted as Anti-Semitic) tweet about Leopoldstadt that got the producers of that show justifiablyriled up? Tweets were quickly deleted and apologies made, but even so. Her "I was careless. I will be better" reply didn't do it for me.One original comment to her post (very early on in her tenure at Playbill) - "it's appalling to hear this enforcement of antisemitic stereotypes coming from inside the theater community." But at least she didn't insist on checking the religion of all those in that cast.

How many nails left in the coffin of Broadway before it is completely sealed shut? From Miss Saigon, Great Comet, to Sierra Boggess in West Side Story, to not enough gays in Falsettos, or not enough Jews in Fiddler, or that Tootsie was insulting to the Trans community. And lets not forget the furor over the Tour Cast Fanny Brice being Jewish or not. This will never end. I see no hope. And I am usually quite an optimistic person.

Broadway is a business. And for such an uproar over casting an actor for 9 weeks so he could join hisgirl friend in the show (giving it a nice romantic touch) --- what harm was done? Exactly none. The producers didn't say "oh hey we are gonna cast Andrew because it will offend everyone". It is a business. They thought the romance angle would sell tickets and Andrew is a "name". And for Andrew --- how nice to get a well-paying gig. Which hopefully he still will. 9 weeks folks. It isn't worth the upset. And Asian actors can then continue to play Oliver until the end of time.

We will see how this plays out Broadway will calm down until the next group of folks needlessly protests a casting decision, and then the show begins again.

Truly No Business Like Show Business. And not in a good way. Will the creatives in casting now be forced to make decisions only to avoid mob response.?





"

Did you successfully get that gigantic pile of bullsh*t  out of your system?

Updated On: 7/30/25 at 09:25 PM

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:27pm

Wouldn’t the show itself sell tickets?  It’s still the best new musical winner.  They could have tried for a newcomer and maybe turn him into a star.