MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 33

[KrupYou]

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

this is messy. i don't like it. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:50pm

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

It’s not practical to audition every male actor. The ones who do get an audition might not be right. The money might be less than they’re prepared to take. They may get a TV offer in the meantime. If there’s someone they know can do it and has a connection to show, it’s an appealing route to take.

I wonder if they even cared about Darren being Eurasian when casting him. To anyone holding up that casting notice as evidence, having Darren in the show disproves your point entirely. He’s Eurasian. Not Asian. Two different things. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:55pm

YankeeDani said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "

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."

Boris is not empathetic. He's a conservative constantly spouting rightwing talking points. Many of us have him blocked.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 4:58pm

Helen J. Shen Releases Statement on MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Casting

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Helen-J-Shen-Releases-Statement-on-MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING-Casting-20250731

https://www.instagram.com/helenjshen/p/DMySaeju_qH/

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:07pm

It's really disingenuous of the NYT not to interview *anyone* involved with the production but to interview two people who have no connection to the production at all. A reputable journalist would have reached out to the production's representatives and to Feldman himself for comment at the very least.

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 05:07 PM

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:09pm

I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:11pm

Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"

I agree, and it's a shame she even has to comment on this at all. She is not responsible for who her employers hire, regardless of who she's dating.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:14pm

“Boris is not empathetic. He's a conservative constantly spouting rightwing talking points. Many of us have him blocked.”

Nice is different than good. Many of you might not like what I say, but I get plenty of DMs from members who are glad I say what I say. I’d imagine there are non-members reading who are also in agreement with my points.

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 05:14 PM

[IronMan]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:16pm

I've seen the show several times now, and obviously love it.  Until I read about the cast being of all Asian descent, I had no idea that Darrin Criss has a Filipino heritage.  

I thought it made a statement about the character of James Choy that because he was obsessed with American jazz culture, of course he would order a HelperBot that looked like those performers.  

[kdogg36]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:19pm

MemorableUserName said: "A decent person wouldn't have accepted it in the first place."

This is easily the dumbest statement I've read on the entire thread.

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

You've got that right.

[WearSunblock]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:21pm

Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"

 

I agree.  I hope the comments under her statement are kind.

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:25pm

Sadly one of the first comments is:

”Damn. I was hoping this was an announcement that you were encouraging him to step down out of respect and protection of those wounded in your community.”

Wounded. PLEASE. Most of them hadn’t even seen the show and weren’t planning to. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:25pm

blaxx said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "The writers have demonstrated their valid position in about as clear a way as possible, but Wayman and Ensemble know better. If this was Lin putting out a statement, everyone would say “oh yes, oh yes, we support you Lin!”

Someone on Instagram commented that, basically, it’s a shame that after the show got Asian support the production is now saying they wrote the Robots as being able to be played by anyone. I.E., Asians supported you so why didn’t you reserve those roles for Asians forevermore!

Asians are being offended by theories and hypotheticals.

The mental health and wellbeing of the writers and of the performers can only be on a downward spiral.

Congratulations, mob! You are ruining lives that had actually given you roles when they didn’t even have to."

Only a white person could've written thiscomment.

"Asians are being offended by theories and hypotheticals."

Or maybe because they are being taken by the production team as gullible, naive and credulous.

I think I would respect those who don't regard representation much more if they at least owned it. Stand strong for your actions, don't tippy toe around them or thing of minorities as dumb."

He’s a Trumper. What more would you expect of him?

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:26pm

IronMan said: "I've seen the show several times now, and obviously love it. Until I read about the cast being of all Asian descent, I had no idea that Darrin Criss has a Filipino heritage.

I thought it made a statement about the character of James Choy that because he was obsessed with American jazz culture, of course he would order a HelperBot that looked like those performers."

I agree - I thought the role of Oliver was supposed to be white as well. I had no idea that Darren or Oliver were Asian.

I thought the tension with James son was at least partially driven by the race of his helper bot.  

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:26pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“Boris is not empathetic. He's a conservative constantly spouting rightwing talking points. Many of us have him blocked.”

Nice is different than good. Many of you might not like what I say, but I get plenty of DMs from members who are glad I say what I say. I’d imagine there are non-members reading who are also in agreement with my points."

Quick poll - which would be more embarrassing, that Boris is so toxic that nobody wants to be seen agreeing with him publicly, or that all of these DMs he's talking about have been coming from girlfriends in Canada?

[kdogg36]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:27pm

Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"

I agree. And I think a lot of people on this thread, and around the web, need to heed her call for mutual understanding. Not everyone who is vocally disappointed with this casting (including me) is part of the "woke mob," nor are those on the other side necessarily bigots who lack empathy.

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:28pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "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."

 

Do you realize how slow the industry is right now? How few parts there are for AAPI actors right now? The people defending this decision simply have not done their research on anything they are espousing to defend right now it's laughable. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:28pm

SeanD2 said: "This "controversy" is hurting the show's brand which could lead to its closing (look at the similar situation of Great Comet)."

This is not a similar situation to Great Comet. That show didn't win the Best Musical Tony, which it needed; this one did. That show was already deeply struggling. This show was/is not (certainly to that degree). This show has already announced a tour, and will ride that Best Musical win (which a lot more people will hear about than this controversy) a long way. Which is one reason this is one show that could have proceeded with two Asian leads, because that Best Musical win would have gotten a lot of people to see it, especially on tour, for that alone where some other non-Best-Musical-winning musical with Asian leads would not. Which is why it's so baffling that they botched it, and why their injuries are self-inflicted.

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 05:28 PM

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:29pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "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!”"

 

so just for clarity you are probably a Trump voter correct? "Woke mob"?

 

And no one with a brain would be supporting this heinous decision besides on an anonymous message board such as this

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:33pm

YankeeDani said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "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."



Do yourealize how slow the industry is right now? How few parts there are for AAPI actors right now? The people defending this decision simply have not done their research on anything they are espousing to defend right now it's laughable."

You're right. I have no right to speak on this, but I will keep my eyes open for other people who can speak on this 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:34pm

AC126748 said: "It's really disingenuous of the NYT not to interview *anyone* involved with the production but to interview two people who have no connection to the production at all. A reputable journalist would have reached out to the production's representatives and to Feldman himself for comment at the very least."

 

You think ANYONE wants their name associated with this mess they themselves caused? At most you'd get a "sources say" defense 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:34pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"

I agree, and it's a shame she even has to comment on this at all. She is not responsible for who her employers hire, regardless of who she's dating."

 

So you're saying she had no influence or sway in getting her BOYFRIEND cast in this? I have a bridge to sell you in Idaho. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:35pm

Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"

 

Completely disagree. "I understand people are hurt but I'm choosing to support my boyfriend over my community" 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:38pm

YankeeDani said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "I think that's a really thoughtful statement from Helen"


Completely disagree. "I understand people are hurt but I'm choosing to support my boyfriend over my community""

 

The writers have said what they’ve said but people continue to tell them how the world should work.

I bet all the screamers would kill to be in their follow up musical. Oh the irony. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 5:39pm

YankeeDani said: "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."

He’s not. He’s just a garden variety ignorant right wing troll.