MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 32

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 1:35pm

My thinking is they never thought this show would be a hit, so they opened with a strong statement about AAPI representation in their casting choices. But now that the show's a hit, they're worried about future Broadway casting giving the hint of a show for Asian audiences only, because that might turn off future general audiences, or future productions.

To me, their future-proofing their inviestment, and their long-term residuals off the thing.

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 1:49pm

Snips from recent postings about Andrew and MHE:

1) "But I predict this will end with ABF stepping down, perhaps with a gentle nudge from producers. But he won't be "removed." 


or
2) "How lovely would it be for the production to recast him bc him being white does nothing but hurt the optics. He will find work elsewhere." 


or

3) "What the producers can do is remove him from the role for the integrity of the show. "

Seriously people I would love all you arm chair advocates to really look at what some of you are saying.  Please.

Putting it out there that Andrew should resign or be otherwise removed? Predicting it, urging it, saying how "lovely" it would be. 

Would you want that to happen to you?  That a mob of cyber folks lost you a well paying job?  If you have a choice of 50K or what ever he gets for the 9 weeks would you gladly give it up because of mob pressure or opinion.  Opinions certainly not shared by all? 

Please don't be hypocritical about this.

Be careful what you are saying.  Andrew is a talented actor.  He is obviously welcoming the gig and the salary that goes with it. And the chance to perform with his girlfriend and the resultant publicity that will go with it. 

Your hurtful words,  specifically in this thread, shouldn't ever rob someone of the chance to make a living. Not even as a conjecture. Complain all you  want but please do not wish for someone to lose a well-paying job. 

The understudies that could have replaced him will still get their salary will they not?  And perhaps their own chance to play the lead some day.  Please give Andrew his chance. It is 9 weeks - not a lifetime. And I have no doubt that the understudies will eventually get their day in the sun. 

I remember years ago at Broadwaycon Christian Borle spoke about how social media was destroying Broadway.  I agreed with him then and agree with him even more now.

The negativity becomes out of control until it gains a power that it should not have.  Great Comet remains the #1 case in point. 

 

 

 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:27pm

FranklinDickson2018 said: "Putting it out there that Andrew should resign or be otherwise removed? Predicting it, urging it, saying how "lovely" it would be.

Would you want that to happen to you? That a mob of cyber folks lost you a well paying job? If you have a choice of 50K or what everhe gets for the 9 weeks would you gladly give it up because of mob pressure or opinion. Opinions certainly not shared by all?

 

A decent person wouldn't have accepted it in the first place.

I already posted a link to the Hellboy example, where the white actor who was cast as a traditionally Asian character withdrew from the role, likely giving up more than 50k. It's about doing what's right.

One either has grace and class, or doesn't.


Be careful what you are saying. Andrew is a talented actor. He is obviously welcoming the gig and the salary that goes with it. And the chance to perform with his girlfriend and the resultant publicity that will go with it.
 

An actor of Asian descent obviously would have welcomed the gig and the salary that goes with it, as well as the publicity. (Is the girlfriend the deciding factor?)


Your hurtful words, specifically in this thread,shouldn't ever rob someone of the chance to make a living. Not even as a conjecture. Complain all you want but please do not wish for someone to losea well-paying job.
 

No one's robbing him of the chance to make a living, considering he has so many more opportunities to do so than Asian actors are given. He's been working consistently for years. There are a multitude of roles he can be considered for. Do you really think the same is true for actors of Asian descent?


The understudies that could have replaced him will still get their salary will they not? And perhaps their own chance to play the lead some day. Please give Andrew his chance. It is 9 weeks - not a lifetime. And I have no doubt that the understudies will eventually get their day in the sun.
 

If one of the understudies had taken his place, another actor of Asian descent could have been hired as the new understudy, giving two actors of Asian descent the opportunity.

If they didn't get their day now, what indication is they will eventually get it. (And "eventually"? Why do they have to wait? They already have been...)

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 02:27 PM

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:59pm

Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking. 

[SeanD2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:09pm

YankeeDani said: "Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking."

I believe in AAPI visibility and inclusion, but how many members of that community will lose their jobs if this brouhaha results in the show closing? 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:24pm

A decent person wouldn't have accepted it in the first place.

Andrew is a sweet, intelligent, good person. What a ridiculous statement. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:25pm

YankeeDani said: "Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking."

Oh don’t worry, they’re plenty visible now, they’ve made sure of that! In fact, can we drop the “PI” from this discussion? The Tongans and Samoans are probably like, leave us out of this bullsh!t.

I hope Andrew and Helen have a bunch of kids who go on to be industry leaders who play the Engineer and Korean robots and Song Liling and who then look at everyone who persecuted Andrew and say “How dare you do that to my dad, out with you!”. I mean seriously, this man could be the father of Asian performing artists. Ease up people. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:28pm

SeanD2 said: I believe in AAPI visibility and inclusion, but how many members of that community will lose their jobs if this brouhaha results in the show closing?"

The people who would best be able to provide an accurate number are the ones who employ them, who happen to be the same producers who caused this brouhaha they had to have known would happen, yet did it anyway. (How many members of that community would have been safe in a thriving, successful, beloved show if it weren't for producer and writer stupidity and greed?)

 

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 03:28 PM

[gibsons2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:32pm

I can't believe social media mob ganging up on the show which not only clawed its way to the box office success but also has won 6 Tony awards. Did everyone forget their struggle for at least 3 months until good WOM and stellar reviews started to catch up? Why are people the way that they are? Andrew is going to be there for just a few weeks and may actually bring extra sparkle to this musical since he's in relationship with Helen. For me, early Hadestown was magical Because of Eva and Reeve's chemistry as a real life couple. My god, we're going to lose one of the only 4 successful new musicals of this season, aren't we?

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 03:32 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:33pm

MemorableUserName said: "SeanD2 said:I believe in AAPI visibility and inclusion, but how many members of that community will lose their jobs if this brouhaha results in the show closing?"

The peoplewho would best be able to provide an accurate number are the ones who employ them, who happen to be the same producers who caused this brouhaha they had to have known would happen, yet did it anyway. (How many members of that community would have been safe in a thriving, successful, beloved show if it weren't for producer and writer stupidity and greed?)"

There would be no show without those producers and writers. Without them, everyone would either be working somewhere else for the summer or not working at all. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:36pm

SeanD2 said: "YankeeDani said: "Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking."

I believe in AAPI visibility and inclusion, but how many members of that community will lose their jobs if this brouhaha results in the show closing?"

 

Why are you assuming a change in cast member would result in closing? In fact it may drive even more people especially POC's to come support and see the show.

 

And once again, forgetting the bigger picture of what this means for AAPI visibility long term. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:38pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "YankeeDani said: "Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking."

Oh don’t worry, they’re plenty visible now, they’ve made sure of that! In fact, can we drop the “PI” from this discussion? The Tongans and Samoans are probably like, leave us out of this bullsh!t.

I hope Andrew and Helen have a bunch of kids who go on to be industry leaders who play the Engineer and Korean robots and Song Liling and who then look at everyone who persecuted Andrew and say “How dare you do that to my dad, out with you!”. I mean seriously, this man could be the father of Asian performing artists. Ease up people."

 

I struggle to see how you are an actual empathetic member of the Broadway community given some of your extraordinarily outlandish takes on this  page. 

[SeanD2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:39pm

YankeeDani said: "SeanD2 said: "YankeeDani said: "Had to make an account here just to say how utterly disappointed I am in some of these messages defending the MHE team. I can start from here, but some of the absurd responses show a total lack of awareness for AAPI visibility and inclusion. On a BROADWAY WORLD message board? It's absolutely shocking."

I believe in AAPI visibility and inclusion, but how many members of that community will lose their jobs if this brouhaha results in the show closing?"



Why are you assuming a change in cast member would result in closing? In fact it may drive even more people especially POC's to come support and see the show.



And once again, forgetting the bigger picture of what this means for AAPI visibility long term."

This "controversy" is hurting the show's brand which could lead to its closing (look at the similar situation of Great Comet). 

[Ensemble1726583963]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:40pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "Original casting breakdown before Andrew got cast:

https://ibb.co/WpD5Rb52

At this point, it doesn't matter if the original vision was that the Helperbots are meant to be played by Asian actors, or by actors of any ethnicity. Either are valid artistic choices. The problem is that they're lying about what the original artistic choice was."

Not to debate the veracity of the image you've presented (though there doesn't appear to be a source), but the official casting notice posted on June 14th, 2024 on this very site was that Oliver was to be cast as the following: "[OLIVER] Character is male (cis, transgender or non-binary), 20s—30s, any ethnicity." Link: https://www.broadwayworld.com/equity-audition/MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING--Broadway--Maybe-Happy-Ending-Broadway-LLC-2024-43323

As someone who has followed this show from the beginning, I remember seeing this notice and finding it interesting, specifically, that they were not only looking for Asian actors (and thought it good that they were open to trans and non-binary actors as well). So no, they are not "lying about what the original artistic choice was", just because people didn't previously know about it.

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 03:40 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:42pm

“Did everyone forget their struggle for at least 3 months until good WOM and stellar reviews started to catch up?”

You make a great point, gibsons. And it makes me wonder, can everyone complaining about this casting demonstrate that they were there for, or promoted, MHE during its time of need? 
Probably not, because the M.O. these days is “everyone owes me, I want free things or discounts on everything, and no one is getting anything from me.” No one cares about stuff until it concerns THEMMMM.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the woke mob didn’t wish the show to fail early on, simply because they weren’t part of it or didn’t get an audition for it. “If I’m not in it, I don’t care if it lives or dies!”

[FolliesCabaret]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:48pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I wouldn't be surprised if some of the woke mob didn’t wish the show to fail early on, simply because they weren’t part of it or didn’t get an audition for it. “If I’m not in it, I don’t care if it lives or dies!”"

A genuinely ugly jump to conclusions here. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:50pm

FolliesCabaret said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "Iwouldn't be surprised if some of the woke mob didn’t wish the show to fail early on, simply because they weren’t part of it or didn’t get an audition for it. “If I’m not in it, I don’t care if it lives or dies!”"

A genuinelyuglyjump to conclusions here."

I’m eager to see screenshots of stories or posts where members of the affronted community promoted or supported MHE during its “life support” weeks. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:52pm

SeanD2 said: "
And once again, forgetting the bigger picture of what this means for AAPI visibility long term."

This "controversy" is hurting the show's brand which could lead to its closing (look at the similar situation of Great Comet)."

 

--

You are jumping to conclusions and forgetting the bigger picture. If they changed lead members with someone of AAPI descent who is a name in theater, ticket sales would be very supportive.

 

I do agree however that continuing down this road will lead to less support for the show. The longer they do "nothing" the worst it will get and has. That's on the producers for a tone deaf decision. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:55pm

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Casting Change Ignites Debate About Representation

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ak8.qf9I.k1IOT_0yPFyt&smid=nytcore-android-share

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:58pm

New York Times: 'Maybe Happy Ending' Casting Change Ignites Debate About Asian Representation

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:05pm

“If they changed lead members with someone of AAPI descent who is a name in theater, ticket sales would be very supportive”

I’m repeating myself here, but people across the board are forgetting that it takes two to tango with casting. The offer can be made, but might not be accepted. Name actors, especially, are not usually enthusiastic to replace another name actor. This appeal decreases even more when the previous actor has won a major award for it.

So anyone screaming “just get an Asian name to do it!” doesn’t realize that the name has to be willing, and available, and agree to the payment terms. Those can be big hurdles. 
 

“I do agree however that continuing down this road will lead to less support for the show”

Less support from the offended people who weren’t even planning to see it, maybe. But this publicity will help in the long run. Ticket sales for Andrew’s early performances are selling well now. Streisand Effect, anyone? 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:18pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“If they changed lead members with someone of AAPI descent who is a name in theater, ticket sales would be very supportive”

I’m repeating myself here, but people across the board are forgetting that it takes two to tango with casting. The offer can be made, but might not be accepted. Name actors, especially, are not usually enthusiastic to replace another name actor. This appeal decreases even more when the previous actor has won a major award for it.

So anyone screaming “just get an Asian name to do it!” doesn’t realize that the name has to be willing, and available, and agree to the payment terms. Those can be big hurdles.


“I do agree however that continuing down this road will lead to less support for the show”

Less support from the offended people who weren’t even planning to see it, maybe. But this publicity will help in the long run. Ticket sales for Andrew’s early performances are selling well now. Streisand Effect, anyone?"

Exactly this. People think understudies are asked and they can always say no. They can ask around, but scheduling may not work in the actors favor. So many things to consider. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:24pm

Wayman_Wong said: "New York Times: 'Maybe Happy Ending' Casting Change Ignites Debate About Asian Representation

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html"

So the Times will interview Ricamora, Wong, and quote from the Coalition’s statement and the production’s statement, but was unable to find anyone to interview who supports Andrew’s casting? To quote the woke mob, “Do better!”

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:34pm

Yes, every Asian male actor in New York said no so they had no choice but to hire Andrew Barth Feldman. Uh huh.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:37pm

Vulture: Maybe Happy Ending’s Unhappy Casting Choice

The show’s writers defend casting a white actor to play a role originated by an Asian American actor in a musical set in Seoul.

https://www.vulture.com/article/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html