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.