MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 40

[bear88]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 4:09am

Regardless of anyone’s opinion of the casting choice (and future casting choices), and my own sympathy with the criticism of it, the best approach for the producers is probably just to gut through it. That’s what the Funny Girl producers did after there was much online outrage over the selection of Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice for the Funny Girl tour. They kept their heads down and plowed ahead. The unhappiness with Andrew Barth Feldman has never been that anyone thinks he lacks talent.

If Mandy Patinkin hadn’t dropped out of Great Comet, that tempest would have flamed out too, albeit with some extra unpleasantness, but that was almost certainly a Band-aid anyway (as much as I personally love that musical).

The Maybe Happy Ending writers have made their statement, and regardless of whether people like their answer, it’s a little hard to tell the show’s creators - including a Korean man - that their intentions are irrelevant.

Maybe Happy Ending didn’t become a hit because theatergoers were clamoring to see Asian-American actors on a Broadway stage. Word of mouth was great, the show won Best Musical. It’s a very well-crafted and emotionally resonant show.

The question surrounding the musical’s future has always been whether its success is sustainable without Darren Criss who, while not a major star, is a name and was good enough as Oliver to win a Tony Award himself. That question got an extra twist with the casting flap.

How much of a hit does the show take after Criss’ departure? The producers seem to think they need reasonably big names for Oliver and (eventually) Claire. What big names want those roles as replacements? Will the casting flap affect future decisions, both by the producers and any ‘name’ actors who are approached (especially if they aren’t Asian-American)?

It feels to me that the producers have created a trap for themselves. 

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 1:52am

 

bear88 said:

"The Maybe Happy Ending writers have made their statement, and regardless of whether people like their answer, it’s a little hard to tell the show’s creators - including a Korean man - that their intentions are irrelevant.

Maybe Happy Ending didn’t become a hit because theatergoers were clamoring to see Asian-American actors on a Broadway stage. Word of mouth was great, the show won Best Musical. It’s a very well-crafted and emotionally resonant show."

 

yes and yes

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 9:14am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ALADDIN-Surpasses-MISS-SAIGON-To-Become-14th-Longest-Running-Show-in-Broadway-History-20250806

How DARE they. I’m donating to Conrad RIGHT NOW and if you don’t as well, you’re just part of the problem and should check your self-long-running-privilege.

Heh.

[singer234]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 12:23pm

If Boris posting this often, every day, on a theater message board is what retirement is all about, I'll keep working till the day I die. Yikes.

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 1:20pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ALADDIN-Surpasses-MISS-SAIGON-To-Become-14th-Longest-Running-Show-in-Broadway-History-20250806

How DARE they. I’m donating to Conrad RIGHT NOWand if you don’t as well, you’re just part of the problem and should check your self-long-running-privilege.

Heh."

This is Exhibit A of why right-wing humor isn't funny. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 2:47pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ALADDIN-Surpasses-MISS-SAIGON-To-Become-14th-Longest-Running-Show-in-Broadway-History-20250806

How DARE they. I’m donating to Conrad RIGHT NOWand if you don’t as well, you’re just part of the problem and should check your self-long-running-privilege.

Heh."

Are all your "friends" (imaginary) conservative "Boris"? 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 5:08pm

stageleftreport said: "i actually interned for one of these lead producer offices back in 19-20 and posted about it on clock app, there’s some actually great and nuanced convos happening in the comment section if anyone wants more vibes from that side of the industry lol

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6yJEH4m/"

I would have expected "If you're on time, you're late." to be the lecture. There's no winning.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 5:43pm

"Sutton Ross said: 
Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledge people being offended over something they made up in their heads.

Andrew is the lead for two months. After they both leave, two new leads are coming in. Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's not how life works.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ."
 

Just seeing this, and I've never been prouder or more secure in my opinion. The best way to know you're right to see who is (so angrily) saying you're wrong. (Sutton insulting the maturity of anyone else? Hilarious.)

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 5:52pm

MemorableUserName said: ""

Just seeing this, and I've never been prouder or more secure in my opinion. The best way to know you're right to see who is (so angrily) saying you're wrong. (Sutton insulting the maturity of anyone else? Hilarious.)"

 

The funniest thing is Sutton saying, "Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him."

Proving just how mindblowingly clueless they are about the lack of job opportunities for AAPI. Sooooooo uneducated. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 8/6/25 at 5:55pm

MemorableUserName said: ""Sutton Ross said:
Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledge people being offended over something they made up in their heads.

Andrew is the lead for two months. After they both leave, two new leads are coming in. Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's not how life works.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ."


Just seeing this, and I've never been prouder or more secure in my opinion. The best way to know you're right to see who is (so angrily) saying you're wrong. (Sutton insulting the maturity of anyone else? Hilarious.)"

She loves embarrassing herself on the internet. And she is GREAT at it. 

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 6:47am

This is the stupidest “controversy” ever.  Andrew is replacing a white man in a show that was written by a white man and directed by a white man. But please tell us again why only Asians can be in the show. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 7:17am

Crusty Bagel said: "This is the stupidest “controversy” ever. Andrew is replacing a white man in a show that was written by a white man and directed by a white man. But please tell us again why only Asians can be in the show."

The show was written by a white man AND a South Korean man and Darren is not a white man. Hope that help, brainiac.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 9:25am

Chris Peterson to the rescue! 

https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2025/8/8/why-havent-we-heard-from-andrew-barth-feldman?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMC2dxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpMqwAbAcY1_0ykjIXbYb9z14S0UDM_bTOE1HYwbd4XCirvhnYGFKFk-Ll30_aem_ffBeyqxJ4bsR2F2RZCzvjQ

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 11:18am

YankeeDani said: "The funniest thing is Sutton saying, "Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity..."

I thought the funniest thing was Sutton saying, "Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's not how life works."

There are people of all races in just about every country, but some countries are far more homogenous than others. One of those homogenous countries? South Korea, where ethnic Koreans represent over 95% of the population. So all Sutton cleared up was that she's a fool who doesn't know she's talking about. Which we knew. (Even if it were true, the pro-Feldman brigade also argues that robots don't have races, in which case what does it matter that (at most) 5% of the population of South Korea aren't Korean?)

Sutton, Boris, and now Crusty/BroadwayFlash are all on the same side. That says it all.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 1:36pm

Look... if it helps anyone.. don't we want to see these 2 perform together on Broadway!? 

https://youtu.be/aIDBpjCndgQ?si=YhGEjj-REg6v_0NM

[CJRochester]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 5:31pm

hicaesar said: "Look... if it helps anyone.. don't we want to see these 2 perform together on Broadway!? 


It Only Takes a Moment - Andrew Barth Feldman & Helen J Shen - Hello, Dolly! in Concert 
https://youtu.be/aIDBpjCndgQ?si=YhGEjj-REg6v_0NM"

Yes, and thank you for sharing this! 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 7:07pm

hicaesar said: "Look... if it helps anyone.. don't we want to see these 2 perform together on Broadway!?

https://youtu.be/aIDBpjCndgQ?si=YhGEjj-REg6v_0NM"

No.  Separately sure.  Together nah. 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 5:52pm

New cast of Hadestown has 2 white leads - the first white Hermes I believe. Maybe we should ask them for a statement as well?  

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 6:06pm

hicaesar said: "New cast of Hadestown has 2 white leads - the first white Hermes I believe. Maybe we should ask them for a statement as well?"

Yes and then we shall judge that statement harshly.

Also, now that Cynthia has played Jesus, let it be known that nobody non-black or non-female can ever play the role again.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 6:55pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "hicaesar said: "New cast of Hadestown has 2 white leads - the first white Hermes I believe. Maybe we should ask them for a statement as well?"

Yes and then we shall judge that statement harshly.

Also, now that Cynthia has played Jesus, let it be known that nobodynon-black ornon-female can ever play the role again."

You're all a bunch of projecting idiots who just cannot HELP but swoop in at every opportunity to show your ass and be microagressive as ****.

Hermes was originated by a White actor and played by multiple in productions all over the world including the US, but don't let that get in your way of looking stupid. 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 7:59pm

TheatreFan4 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "hicaesar said: "New cast of Hadestown has 2 white leads - the first white Hermes I believe. Maybe we should ask them for a statement as well?"

Yes and then we shall judge that statement harshly.

Also, now that Cynthia has played Jesus, let it be known that nobodynon-black ornon-female can ever play the role again."

You're all a bunch of projecting idiots who just cannot HELP but swoop in at every opportunity to show your ass and be microagressive as ****.

Hermes was originated by a White actor and played by multiple in productions all over the world including the US, but don't let that get in your way of looking stupid."

1st of all, I'm really sorry I upset you, I certainly didn't call anyone the names that you just called me. So... maybe take it down a bit? 

I've only seen Hermes played by a POC on broadway - I thought that was part of the role.  I also thought Darren Criss was white and that the part of Oliver was supposed to be white. 

So yeah.. that's why I brought it up. If that was wrong of me to do, I apologize, but I wish we could discuss it instead of you calling me names. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 8:17pm

hicaesar said: "
So yeah.. that's why I brought it up. If that was wrong of me to do, I apologize, but I wish we could discuss it instead of you calling me names."

Because it's this idiocy of trying to trivialize the loss of a lead role for someone who is Asian and attempting to drag in irrelevant casting for shows that have been cast diverse across the board since day 1. If you want to have an actual conversation about MHE's casting don't drag irrelevant **** into it to make jokes if its a conversation you actually think is worth having and aren't just blowing smoke. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 9:26pm

hicaesar said: "TheatreFan4 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "hicaesar said: "New cast of Hadestown has 2 white leads - the first white Hermes I believe. Maybe we should ask them for a statement as well?"

Yes and then we shall judge that statement harshly.

Also, now that Cynthia has played Jesus, let it be known that nobodynon-black ornon-female can ever play the role again."

You're all a bunch of projecting idiots who just cannot HELP but swoop in at every opportunity to show your ass and be microagressive as ****.

Hermes was originated by a White actor and played by multiple in productions all over the world including the US, but don't let that get in your way of looking stupid."

1st of all, I'm really sorry I upset you, I certainly didn't call anyone the names that you just called me. So... maybe take it down a bit?

I've only seen Hermes played by a POC on broadway - I thought that was part of the role. I also thought Darren Criss was white and that the part of Oliver was supposed to be white.

So yeah.. that's why I brought it up. If that was wrong of me to do, I apologize, but I wish we could discuss it instead of you calling me names."

 

So just a suggestion. And I am not meaning to be nasty or snarky about this...

We have the world at our fingertips. When commenting on something as intense as this has become, just do a bit of research. A simple visit to Wikipedia would have given you the casting history of Hadestown and Mr. Criss' ethnicity. 

 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 9:37am

uncageg said: 
So just a suggestion. And I am not meaning to be nasty or snarky about this...

We have the world at our fingertips. When commenting on somethingas intense as thishas become, just do a bit of research. A simple visit to Wikipedia would have given you the casting history of Hadestown and Mr. Criss' ethnicity."

I think what I should have said is - for me personally, the part of Hermes being a POC is much more important than the part of Oliver.  

As far as I can tell - there has not been a white Hermes on Broadway or West End before. Certainly the new principal cast has less POC than the current (who are all POC - and they are all fantastic!). It seems like a double standard to me.

But I do genuinely apologize if I'm missing a big piece of this puzzle - I'm not trying to upset anyone but simply discuss. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 1:58pm

The backlash rages on. 

"As backlash continues over Maybe Happy Ending's decision to cast Andrew Barth Feldman in the role of 'Oliver,' replacing Darren Criss, actor BD Wong has penned an open letter about the matter, which has been signed by 2,400 theatre artists. Aaron J. Albano, Ali Ewoldt, Ann Harada, Anthony Rapp, Conrad Ricamora, the Broadway Body Positivity Project, Joaquina Kalukango, Jon Jon Briones, Telly Leung, and many more."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2400-Sign-BD-Wongs-Letter-Denouncing-MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING-Casting-Choice