MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 44

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 5:10pm

YankeeDani said: "MezzoDiva47 said: "

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

"

You need to objectively look at yourself and realize you may the stupidest most gullible person in the world. Like quite actually one of the least intelligent people posting right now."

 

Umm, if you're actually looking for "like quite actually one of the least intelligent people posting right now", you may want to look in a mirror, sweetie. 

You can also add "Vicious Internet Troll" to your resume under "special skills".

 

 

Updated On: 8/14/25 at 05:10 PM

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 6:39pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“Yup. It's amazing to see how ignorant some people here are. Did none of them read BD's statement or do ANY research on this topic before adding their 2 cents in?”

Have you been to Asia, Dani? Do you know that non-Asians are notoriously discriminated against when trying to participate in any and all industries? For a theatre industry established by, invested in, and nurturedby WASPS and Jews I’d say Asian performers have been quite reasonably included. No one owes a certain quota to anyone.

Have you seen the video of the black guy in an Iron Man mask trying to scare an Asian couple? He fails. Until he takes the mask off. It says everything about discriminationin Asia.https://youtube.com/shorts/-sbb4EL0ybs?si=wIHTBdjLtAbuAzHm

"

 

You have 0 asian friends. I guarantee it. 

 

And how funny you refuse to share how you help "support" AAPI companies in the past because it never happened.  

[Dolly80]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 6:42pm

This thread is absolutely bat**** crazy 😬

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 6:48pm

“You have 0 asian friends. I guarantee it. 
And how funny you refuse to share how you help "support" AAPI companies in the past because it never happened.”

Oh I’d better tell them that.

When did anyone ask me to demonstrate my support for companies? Either way, it has nothing to do with it. BD Wong & Co are demanding support from the show, so I’m just wondering if they’ve supported the show itself. I’m not asking Maybe Happy Ending for anything. They are. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 6:51pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“Yup. It's amazing to see how ignorant some people here are. Did none of them read BD's statement or do ANY research on this topic before adding their 2 cents in?”

Have you been to Asia, Dani? Do you know that non-Asians are notoriously discriminated against when trying to participate in any and all industries? For a theatre industry established by, invested in, and nurturedby WASPS and Jews I’d say Asian performers have been quite reasonably included. No one owes a certain quota to anyone.

Have you seen the video of the black guy in an Iron Man mask trying to scare an Asian couple? He fails. Until he takes the mask off. It says everything about discriminationin Asia.https://youtube.com/shorts/-sbb4EL0ybs?si=wIHTBdjLtAbuAzHm

"

What the literal **** does this have to do with anything that this thread is about? We're not talking about Asia. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 7:07pm

^ I’m just saying that Asians may not be the most inclusive of other races themselves - that is, if we can use “Asian” as a catch-all for all of Asia, as has been done so far, laissez-faire.

In fact, a significant amount of South Koreans are anti-Semitic. Maybe Andrew, an American Jew, should be not just allowed, but ENCOURAGED to play Oliver as an example of tolerance and understanding… surely something BD Wong & Co would want to cultivate? 
https://imgur.com/a/9uD6R9m

Updated On: 8/14/25 at 07:07 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 7:20pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "^ I’m just saying that Asians may not be the most inclusive of other races themselves - that is, if we can use “Asian” as a catch-all for all of Asia, as has been done so far,laissez-faire."

Again, just not beating the racism allegations. You take a very real issue, that there's a lot of racism in Asian countries, then that goes through your very empty head and out comes "Asians are Racist." That has no relevance to the discussion that is happening here. We're not talking about Asian countries. 

In fact, a significant amount of South Koreans are anti-Semitic. Maybe Andrew, an American Jew, should be not just allowed, but ENCOURAGED to play Oliver as an example of tolerance and understanding… surely something BD Wong & Co would want to cultivate? 

You fiercely Googling "Asians being racist" to find things to make you look more racist is weird. 

Updated On: 8/14/25 at 07:20 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 7:28pm

“Are you trying to say the people who signed the letter are being racist to AFB?”

I’m exaggerating to make the point that if we’re going to use “Asian” to mean everyone and everything (as in a Japanese actor can play a Thai concubine), and that if Asian actors are currently saying “we don’t feel welcome, we aren’t included” etc, then someone can very easily point out that Asians (since, again, we’re using it as a catch-all) are also not welcoming and inclusive. 

There’s nuance when they want it, and no nuance when they don’t want it. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 8:25pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "“Are you trying to say the people who signed the letter are being racist to AFB?”

I’m exaggerating to make the pointthat if we’re going to use “Asian” to mean everyone and everything (as in a Japanese actor can play a Thai concubine), and that if Asian actors are currently saying “we don’t feel welcome, we aren’t included” etc, then someone can very easily point out that Asians (since, again, we’re using it as a catch-all) are also not welcoming and inclusive.

There’s nuance when they want it, and no nuance when they don’t want it."

A point you got using Data about people living in... South Korea which I'm going to spit ball doesn't include anyone who signed this letter, or very few. So again, what is your point?

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 8/14/25 at 8:39pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "^ I’m just saying that Asians may not be the most inclusive of other races themselves - that is, if we can use “Asian” as a catch-all for all of Asia, as has been done so far,laissez-faire.

In fact, a significant amount of South Koreans are anti-Semitic. Maybe Andrew, an American Jew, should be not just allowed, but ENCOURAGED to play Oliver as an example of tolerance and understanding… surely something BD Wong & Co would want to cultivate?
https://imgur.com/a/9uD6R9m"

Did your grade school teacher teach you logic?

[Kulisse]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 7:05am

JSquared2 said: "However, as I'm sure you also know (but conveniently always manage to leave out), ABF did several workshops of the show -- before Darren was involved. He knows the show (which will cut back on rehearsal time), he and Helen have great chemistry together, and I'm sure they WERE delighted to be able to work together. It'll be 9 weeks. Get over it."

No one "knows" this or conveniently leaves it out because you just made it up in your mind. That didn't happen. In any way, shape or form. Darren was involved before Helen, and they "met" ABF as the reader in Helen's audition tape. So this is nonsense.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 8:54pm

Sidebar issue, arguably not OT: though the new Oliver begins in 2 weeks, no ad campaign, and more critically, still no mention at webpage. Where seats are purchased all over the country.

It's somewhat disingenuous to keep selling seats without any mention whatsoever on the webpage of a new lead in place for September. It's quite possible to purchase tickets away from the internecine contention and believe Criss is still in the show. I've watched webpages for years, as many here do, and from Hamilton to Hadestown to Wicked - and those are shows less dependent on cast changes - and replacements are part of site maintenance. The new Oliver - announced circa July 24 begins 9/2, but click below: nothing on the webpage mentions this.

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

Whatever one thinks of the recast, neither a vote of confidence nor fair to consumers. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 9:21pm

Now this is interesting. The ticket concierge option is saying tickets are on sale until September 7.

https://imgur.com/a/pcghYhv

The usual Telecharge calendar has all dates available. 

I wonder how many sales they’re missing out on by not having the dates updated on that concierge purchasing channel.

You may wanna fix that, Telecharge. You’re welcome 😘 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 9:22pm

Most South Koreans are anti Semitic? Is there ANYONE sane on this board?

Why would they run an ad campaign for Feldman when the show is selling so well bec it was The Award Winner of the season? The show is the star. 90% of ticket buyers dont care much about Criss (is the show empty when he was out?) or the racial makeup of whoever is playing Oliver. get out in the real world my god.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 9:31pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Most South Koreans are anti Semitic? Is there ANYONE sane on this board?

Why would they run an ad campaign for Feldman when the show is selling so well bec it was The Award Winner of the season? The show is the star. 90% of ticket buyers dont care much about Criss (is the show empty when he was out?) or the racial makeup of whoever is playing Oliver. get out in the real world my god."

As of 2014, 53% of South Koreans were anti-Semitic.

https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/why-is-south-korea-so-anti-semitic/

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 11:51pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Most South Koreans are anti Semitic? Is there ANYONE sane on this board?

Why would they run an ad campaign for Feldman when the show is selling so well bec it was The Award Winner of the season? The show is the star. 90% of ticket buyers dont care much about Criss (is the show empty when he was out?) or the racial makeup of whoever is playing Oliver. get out in the real world my god."

 

that fact is what the woke mob seems to be missing

the show won best musical

the great majority of the ticket buying public make their decision based on that award alone

a show can win every other tony except best musical and still be at a huge disadvantage

except for the jealous basement-dwelling social justice keyboard warriors who are too untalented to work in this biz, no one cares about this drummed-up so-called casting 'issue'

i guarantee the vast majority of ppl planning to attend dont even know who darren criss or andrew barth feldman are

they wouldnt even be able to recognize either actor from their headshots

if the producers and creative team are smart they will let this boil over and wait for the woke mob to pack up their torches and pitchforks and move to their next first world problem

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/15/25 at 11:59pm

YankeeDani said: "MezzoDiva47 said: "


You need to objectively look at yourself and realize you may the stupidest most gullible person in the world. Like quite actually one of the least intelligent people posting right now."

 

so i notice that all u do on here is attack and insult ppl who have views different than your own

yet u never make a substantial argument

and u confessed that u specifically created an account to come on here and flame everyone else

they have a word for that

troll

 

[Seb28]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 5:48am

Any criticism on this casting is anti-white racism.

Half of my family is Asian. I am partly Asian. I know what I am talking about.

This story is about robots. For many years we have learned that any race should be able to play any character when it doesn't matter specifically for the story, such as robots, mermaids or opera ghosts. Claiming that the show is written by people of a certain race and therefore roles can only be played by that race is racist per definition. Because that would also mean that asian or black people should never play Eponine in Les Miserables. We can't be two-faced with this. We either accept this both ways or we do not. This complaints and criticism are pure anti-white racism. Nobody should accept this criticism. Everyone should fight this criticism. Asian people are the global majority. White people are one of the minorities. White people are also the minority on Broadway at the moment. In a country with a white majority.

My friend Charlie made a great video about this. Be careful with racism. Most racism in the west is aimed at white people at the moment: 

 

BorisTomashevsky said: "Have you been to Asia, Dani? Do you know that non-Asians are notoriously discriminated against when trying to participate in any and all industries? For a theatre industry established by, invested in, and nurturedby WASPS and Jews I’d say Asian performers have been quite reasonably included. No one owes a certain quota to anyone.

Have you seen the video of the black guy in an Iron Man mask trying to scare an Asian couple? He fails. Until he takes the mask off. It says everything about discriminationin Asia.https://youtube.com/shorts/-sbb4EL0ybs?si=wIHTBdjLtAbuAzHm

"

I know, it is bad. Really bad. In a way I think it's human nature and therefore it's important to not do to others what you claim has been done to you. To always stay aware of this.

The Little Mermaid movie had the worst reception in various Asian countries. 

Asian people play all roles now, from Christine to Eponine, roles in Hamilton, Sunset Boulevard, any role there is.

On the path forward, be aware of two-faced people. People with different morals for different races. Like B.D. Wong. Asian people have all the opportunities, more than white people do in this business in the west at the moment.

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 05:48 AM

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 7:33am

Seb28 said: "Asian people have all the opportunities, more than white people do in this business in the west at the moment."

Uh no.

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 8:12am

Thank you for your post Seb. No doubt the mob will tell you that your friend’s video is wrong and that he should check his own self-racism!

[kdogg36]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 10:20am

I wrote earlier in this thread that those who support Feldman's casting don't necessarily deserve to be demonized, and I stand by that claim as stated. But the arguments being made by that side on this thread have become quite embarrassing. Yes, there are arguments to be made in good faith, but "Koreans are bigots too!" and "Anyone who's disappointed with this casting is an anti-white racist!" ain't it.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 10:57am

Bumping down the content my own post because no one wants to discuss the bizarre sidestep in place by the production. If you're a consumer purchasing seats on-line, you have no idea that Criss is leaving the show.  Why is this alone not a bigger story? In my social media feed this a.m., 24/7 touting "Tony Winner Criss," even though no seats remain for his performance.  I've never seen a production willfully exploit a role-vacating star. Unless a new announcement is coming about his extension.

It's somewhat disingenuous to keep selling seats without any mention whatsoever on the webpage of a new lead in place for September. It's quite possible to purchase tickets away from the internecine contention and believe Criss is still in the show. I've watched webpages for years, as many here do, and from Hamilton to Hadestown to Wicked - and those are shows less dependent on cast changes - and replacements are part of site maintenance. The new Oliver - announced circa July 24 begins 9/2, but click below: nothing on the webpage mentions this.

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

Whatever one thinks of the recast, neither a vote of confidence nor fair to consumers. 
 

[Canadian_Linz]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 11:45am

Auggie27 said: "Bumping down the content my own post because no one wants to discuss the bizarre sidestep in place by the production. If you're a consumer purchasing seats on-line, you have no idea that Criss is leaving the show”.

I noticed this too when looking at ticket availability. No mention of Andrew and if you click one of his dates, there’s no pop up indicating he’s playing Oliver like when an understudy went on for Helen or Darren.

If you click “about the show” on Telecharge when looking at tickets. You get this:

Cast

Darren Criss (thru 8/31), Andrew Barth Feldman (9/2 - 11/1), Helen J Shen, Dez Duron, Marcus Choi

 

But if they didn’t click that and scroll halfway down the page, a casual ticket buyer would have no idea Darren is being replaced. 

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 11:45 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 12:04pm

The new cast was announced circa 7/24. Damn near a month ago. Yet no campaign has been created beyond a video of Criss welcoming Feldman to his dressing room in silence. And that's not in any of the places ticket buyers frequent. This is not only a vote of no-confidence, it seems designed to be deceptive. In the playbill, this show employs a digital advertising company (AKA)  two social media contacts (Katherine Quinn and That's Shobiz), and Polk and Co for press. None of these promotional components have seized the new lead. The goal seems to be to coast until Criss's departure on the fumes of his Tony win. Even though it's impossible to see him without steep scalper prices. 

I dearly loved this show, and find this unsettling. Whatever one believes to be true about the controversy, the inability to confidently promote a new actor to generate an advance smacks of bad producing decisions.  

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 12:04 PM

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 12:07pm

Auggie27 said: "The new cast was announced circa 7/24. Damn near a month ago. Yet no campaign has been created beyond a video of Criss welcoming Feldman to his dressing room in silence. And that's not in any of the places ticket buyers frequent. This is not only a vote of no-confidence, it seems designed to be deceptive. In the playbill, this show employs a digital advertising company (AKA)two social media contacts (Katherine Quinn and That's Shobiz), and Polk and Co for press. None of these promotional components have seized the new lead. The goal seems to be to coast until Criss's departure on the fumes of his Tony win. Even though it's impossible to see him without steep scalper prices.

I dearly loved this show, and find this unsettling. Whatever one believe to be true about the controversy, the inability to confidently promote a new actor to generate an advance smacks of bad producing decisions."

I think under normal circumstances they would be promoting Feldman, playing up the real life couple angle. But they probably feel any promotion will just cause more negative attention. They are between a rock and a hard place.