MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 41

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:07pm

CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

The ultimate worst vase scenario is the show closes because of this. It will look bad firing ABF. Feels like this is Great Comet drama all over again.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:13pm

CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?

Is it better to have a show that has Asian representation that is flawed or to not have an Asian represented show at all? Genuinely asking...

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:16pm

HenryTDobson said: "CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?

Is it better to have a show that has Asian representation that is flawed or to not have an Asian represented show at all? Genuinely asking..."

My guess is the goal is getting the writers/producers to admit that they screwed up, and if they are going to honor ABF's contract (which I assume they have to), to commit to casting an Asian man as Oliver following Andrew's run.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:21pm

Just looked at Andrew’s first week on Telecharge and the performances are filling up, especially his first night and the weekend shows. 

To paraphrase, who was it, Richard Rodgers? “If people want to buy tickets, there’s nothing you can do to stop them.”

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:27pm

HenryTDobson said: "CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?”

 

yes and yes

the goal of the woke mob is to burn it all down

then they will move their pitchforks to the next designated outrage

never mind that if this ends up closing the show prematurely it puts the very same asian actors they _claim_ they are protecting out of work

it sure does feel like great comet all over again as someone else on here just posted

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:28pm

Arden and the creative team should hurry to cast some white understudies too.  Their push-back narrative does not hold up.  They can at least pretend it was always the intent ... 

https://www.maybehappyending.com/cast-creative/

 

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:29pm

MezzoDiva47 said: "HenryTDobson said: "CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?”



yes and yes

the goal of the woke mob is to burn it all down

then they will move their pitchforks to the next designated outrage

never mind that if this ends up closing the show prematurely itputs the very same asian actors they _claim_ they are protecting out of work

it sure does feel like great comet all over again as someone else on here just posted



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

"

Calling 64-year-old BD Wong the woke mob is a choice.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:30pm

ABF can be bought out. 

pagereynolds said: "HenryTDobson said: "CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?

Is it better to have a show that has Asian representation that is flawed or to not have an Asian represented show at all? Genuinely asking..."

My guess is the goal is getting the writers/producers to admit that they screwed up, and if they are going to honor ABF's contract (which I assume they have to), to commit to casting an Asian man as Oliver following Andrew's run."

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:32pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Arden and the creative team should hurry to castsome white understudies too. Their push-back narrative does not hold up. They can at least pretend it was always the intent ...

https://www.maybehappyending.com/cast-creative/
"

Lord, can you imagine the fallout from that? Nothing they do will EVER be good enough.

Meanwhile if BD’s really expecting to cast the future of the show by offended council, he should go into writing science fiction for TV because he clearly already has the skill set. 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:35pm

If you bother to actually engage with what is being said, you will see that they aren't trying to "burn it all down." 

I do question what their endgame is. I agree that the worst outcome would be the show closes prematurely. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 2:57pm

Bwaygurl2 said: "If you bother to actually engage with what is being said, you will see that they aren't trying to "burn it all down."

I do question what their endgame is. I agree that the worst outcome would be the show closes prematurely."

Agree.  It's not going away.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 4:12pm

MezzoDiva47 said: "HenryTDobson said: "CoffeeBreak said: "The backlash rages on.

"As backlash continues overMaybe 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"

I don't understand the endgame of this. Getting ABF to step down? Closing the show?”



yes and yes

the goal of the woke mob is to burn it all down

then they will move their pitchforks to the next designated outrage

never mind that if this ends up closing the show prematurely itputs the very same asian actors they _claim_ they are protecting out of work

it sure does feel like great comet all over again as someone else on here just posted



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly
 

Would you mind knocking it off with the whole "bow down" sh*t?  It has far outlived it's "Sell By" Date. Find a new catch phrase.

 

 

Updated On: 8/11/25 at 04:12 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 4:35pm

Anyone who is saying this is a Great Comet situation needs to unclutch their pearls. MHE is in no danger of closure- if it were, it would have gotten a name much more bankable than Andrew Barth Feldman to step in.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 4:43pm

I believe the end-goal is for the producers to change the roles to say "Aisan" and not audition or consider anyone else in the role.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 5:02pm

Would you mind knocking it off with the whole "bow down" sh*t? It has far outlived it's "Sell By" Date. Find a new catch phrase.



"

The block feature is wonderful for tools like that.

Updated On: 8/11/25 at 05:02 PM

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 5:11pm

Bwaygurl2 said: "If you bother to actually engage with what is being said, you will see that they aren't trying to "burn it all down."

I do question what their endgame is. I agree that the worst outcome would be the show closes prematurely."

 

has anyone bothered to consider the possibility that ABF was cast because he was the best choice from the pool of available candidates

has anyone bothered to consider that nothing prevented actors who identify as asian from auditioning for the same role and competing

most ppl on this board live in monstrous glass houses

if u feel so strongly about this go become a casting director

or write your own show and specifically ban the ABFs of the world from being cast in it

in this case the real concerning issue is that the members of the woke mob think _they_ are the casting director and the creative team

'do what we want

or else'

no letter of apology will ever be good enough

they shouldnt even bother

it simply adds fuel to the woke mobs torches

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 5:13pm

Nobody considered that because it isn't true. They didn't do a nationwide search for Oliver. I don't think they even did a casting notice. ABF is Helen's boyfriend, and a legit Broadway actor and they thought it would be cute.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 5:20pm

pagereynolds said: "Nobody considered that because it isn't true. They didn't do a nationwide search for Oliver. I don't think they even did a casting notice. ABF is Helen's boyfriend, and a legit Broadway actor and they thought it would be cute."

As long as they’re following AEA rules for casting, no one can hold anything over them. BD can get as many signatures as he wants, but that petition going to be more useful as toilet paper when all is said and done. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 6:06pm

Don’t attack me, but I actually feel quite bad for Andrew Barth Feldman. Nine out of ten actors in his position would have accepted the role too. I imagine that not only is this going to be an ongoing nightmare for him until his contract is finally up, but it may make it difficult for him to get cast in another Broadway show anytime soon. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 6:54pm

I put the blame on the producers of this show because they knew damn well they were going to be placing him in the middle of an impossible situation if he accepted the role. Like this is a show that is 5 out of 6 actors of Asian descent. They knew the optics and chose poorly. Maybe if they had actually cast the show diversely from the start, it wouldn't look so bad but they set the standard and now we are here. 

-------

has anyone bothered to consider the possibility that ABF was cast because he was the best choice from the pool of available candidates

has anyone bothered to consider that nothing prevented actors who identify as asian from auditioning for the same role and competing

Do I believe that the best person for the job in this entire city (let alone the country) just so happens to be Helen Shen's boyfriend? Absolutely not. What a weak ass take. There are literal children less gullible. Just like Reeve is not the best actor to play Emcee, it's a gimmick and a reminder that "Best person for the role" is not an objective finding in acting. The entire system is based on subjectivity. Its why its the Arts and not Math. 

Updated On: 8/11/25 at 06:54 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 7:49pm

I agree with both of your points. This is 100% on the producers. I hope that ABF doesn’t have too much career fallout from this.

And I would like to remind some of the younger folks on this board that there is no such thing as “the best person for the role.” It’s a myth. Casting is not a talent contest.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:35pm

If the producers are supposed to know they're placing the actor in an impossible situation if he accepts the role, shouldn't the actor also be aware of that? It seems implausible that someone who's been dating an Asian actress for years wouldn't be aware of the issues involved. Whatever the reason he accepted it, even if 9 out of 10 others would, does he take none of the responsibility for that choice?

The Distinctive Baritone, just curious. You say you're concerned about Feldman's future prospects and hope he isn't affected by this. He's likely to get more opportunities at roles, including leads, than the Asian performers who weren't even considered for the lead in a musical set in South Korea. Do they get any sympathy, or is that just the business?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 8:53pm

I think the only fair thing to do is cancel the entire entertainment industry; close all theatres, and greenlight no more movies or TV shows. No more opportunities for anyone if there can’t be satisfactory opportunities for everyone. 

Treating it with such piecemeal kid gloves is overriding the joy that’s meant to be inherent in it. Do we really have to be sorry for everyone who didn’t get a role?

”If I can’t have it, no one can!”

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 9:10pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I think the only fair thing to do is cancel the entire entertainment industry; close all theatres, and greenlight no more movies or TV shows. No more opportunities for anyone if there can’t be satisfactory opportunities for everyone.

Treating it with such piecemeal kid gloves is overriding the joy that’s meant to be inherent in it. Do we really have to be sorry for everyone who didn’t get a role?

”If I can’t have it, no one can!”"

One too many martinis, sweetie? 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/25 at 9:22pm

MemorableUserName said: "If the producers are supposed to know they're placing the actor in an impossible situation if he accepts the role, shouldn't the actor also be aware of that? It seems implausible that someone who's been dating an Asian actress for years wouldn't be aware of the issues involved. Whatever the reason he accepted it, even if 9 out of 10 others would, does he take none of the responsibility for that choice?

The Distinctive Baritone, just curious. You say you'reconcerned about Feldman's future prospects and hope he isn't affected by this. He's likely to get more opportunities at roles, including leads, than the Asian performers who weren't even considered for the lead in a musical set in South Korea. Do they get any sympathy, or is that just the business?"

Don't get me wrong - they absolutely should have cast an Asian actor to replace Darren Criss. It was completely idiotic of them to think that they could switch things up this late in the game. I'm just saying that ABF is twenty-three years old (old enough to be an adult but not old enough to have the perspective it would have taken for him to have said "no") and works primarily in musical theatre, so it's sad that his Broadway career may effectively be over after his MHE contract because of this situation. It's possible to feel bad for both sides, isn't it? I believe on Reddit they would call it an ESH situation.