MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 45

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 1:25pm

It seems to be selling well through September, and they are still getting people to buy the nearly $400 seats. They haven't lowered the prices much, so clearly, they are banking on Andrew's talent which, much like Lea during Funny Girl, has to be proven on stage.

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 1:57pm

Selling well through September? Have you looked up random dates? Go to the webpage. 6 weeknights I checked for in-laws only this morning: only the center of the orchestra has been sold, and on at least 4 nights the mezz and balcony are completely unsold. Sorry, even if folks buy seats closer to the performances - I get that - this is a current Best Musical with a minimal advance. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 2:00pm

Yeah, I have looked them up, it's selling well, and they haven't lowered prices. If a show is in trouble, they lower prices or have discounts. None of that has happened here. They will play up the couple angle (Does anyone really care?) when it's safe to do so. He better be brilliant in this part, for obvious reasons. 

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 02:00 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 2:34pm

Auggie27 said: "Selling well through September? Have you looked up random dates? Go to the webpage. 6 weeknights I checked for in-laws only this morning: only the center of the orchestra has been sold, and on at least 4 nights the mezz and balcony are completely unsold. Sorry, even if folks buy seats closer to the performances - I get that -this is a current Best Musical with a minimal advance."


I just looked at all Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September. Aside from one lighter Weds, there isn’t a date that the mezz and balcony aren’t at least 30% sold right now, with some looking like 75% sold. The weekends are going to sell out for sure, and those weeknights are going to approach “limited availability” at least. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 2:35pm

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"

Typical conservative whataboutism.

[Kulisse]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 3:37pm

Sutton Ross said: "Yeah, I have looked them up, it's selling well, and they haven't lowered prices. If a show is in trouble, they lower prices or have discounts. None of that has happened here. They will play up the couple angle (Does anyone really care?) when it's safe to do so. He better bebrilliant in this part, for obvious reasons."

Ticket prices are significantly lower, especially past the first week.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 3:43pm

Lower at $349 and $299? Sure, it's better than the $399 it was for most of August but I wouldn't call that "significantly". If this is going to be SUCH a disaster for the show then a promo code and a large decrease in the price would be happening. It hasn't happened yet. I know why they're being quiet but who knows if it will actually pay off in the end. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 3:59pm

Seb28 said: "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."

This honestly may be an even stupider comment than anything Boris has said, oh my god. Congrats. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 4:04pm

Like B.D. Wong. Asian people have all the opportunities, more than white people do in this business in the west at the moment."

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 4:15pm

I thought we weren’t supposed to tell Asian people how it is, and yet… ^^

And just because Asian actors might not get CAST, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same - or more - opportunities as performers of other races have. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 4:18pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I thought we weren’t supposed to tell Asian people how it is, and yet… ^^

And just because Asian actors might not get CAST, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same - or more - opportunities as performers of other races have."

Boris refuses to have his crown for stupidest comments taken away from him and he is here to FIGHT.

[Kulisse]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 4:23pm

Sutton Ross said: "Lower at $349 and $299? Sure, it's better than the $399 it was for most of August but I wouldn't call that "significantly". If this is going to be SUCH a disaster for the show then a promo code and a large decreasein the price would be happening. It hasn't happened yet. I know why they're being quiet but who knows if it will actually pay off in the end."

Top tickets have been $499 since they won the Tony, not $399. A lot of orchestra seats are $200+ cheaper in September, which yes, I'd call quite "significant", but not a "disaster" just yet.

[Seb28]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 7:15pm

TheatreFan4 said: "This honestly may be an even stupider comment than anything Boris has said, oh my god. Congrats."

Welcome to reality. White people are the minority on Broadway at the moment so they do not have the same chances percentage wise. They also are not allowed to be two-faced about races and they will not be supported when they would. Double standards for different races are racist per definition. Both these facts and your reaction are stupid. You are two-faced and equality starts where your mindset ends.

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 07:15 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 7:38pm

I repeat, this show has an $18.5 capitalization and a $680k weekly nut. The September advance is at best soft, by any yardstick. For the current Best Musical, startling. Girl From the North Country in the same house had similar sales, albeit with an unused balcony. I know because I watched them. Those of us who dearly love this piece hope this setback is resolved. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 8:23pm

Auggie27 said: "I repeat, this show has an $18.5 capitalization and a $680k weekly nut. The September advance is at best soft, by any yardstick. For the current Best Musical, startling. Girl From the North Country in the same house had similar sales, albeit with an unused balcony. I know because I watched them. Those of us who dearly love this piece hope this setback is resolved."

I just clicked through the entire month of September. It looks extremely healthy to me (especially when Cabaret is half empty TONIGHT!) and the remaining empty September seats will sell on the whole. Please tell me which days/times you're worried about in particular and I'll look again.

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 08:23 PM

[bear88]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 8:29pm

Even before the casting controversy, there has always been a question how the Maybe Happy Ending producers would replace Darren Criss. In theory, that didn't seem impossible, as Criss - despite his credits in TV and theater going back more than a decade and skill at playing Oliver - has never been regarded as the sort of actor who could carry a show's box office - including this one at the beginning.

The box office frenzy in the wake of Tony Awards victories for the musical and Criss himself makes the rush to see the original cast is understandable, so a dropoff after he leaves the show was to be expected.

But how much of a dropoff? And how will that be interpreted? I have been of the view that Maybe Happy Ending is a strong enough show to survive Criss' departure. But that theory has never been tested. And despite his role in the Jennifer Lawrence movie a few years ago, Andrew Barth Feldman - despite his talents - is not a name with box office drawing power. 

While I have been sympathetic to the Asian-American actors and creatives who have criticized his selection, I also agree with those who have said that theatergoers haven't been flocking to see Maybe Happy Ending because they  support the idea of seeing Asian-American actors on a Broadway stage. Many people, even folks reasonably well-versed in theater, thought Darren Criss was white. The musical works because it's not only entertaining but because its darker themes are relatable to many people.

So now the producers, as I feared, may have created a trap of their own making. Feldman isn't enough of a draw to attract people who like to watch stars. The musical has been sharply criticized for casting a white actor. The show's producers have gone into hiding after its writers and co-star released statements online. They aren't even promoting, or acknowledging on their own website, the fact that Feldman will soon be Oliver. To the extent he was picked because he's Helen J. Shen's partner in real life (who helped her rehearse) and it's a cute story, they aren't promoting that either. Maybe they will try that soon, but that will require navigating tricky questions about a controversy that Shen herself has acknowledged.

It's hard these days to read too much into advance sales data, because people  don't buy too far ahead of time unless there's a compelling reason to do so. Without the casting mistake, the Maybe Happy Ending producers would be promoting the hell out of the show and touting all the reasons theatergoers should see it. But their behavior suggests they believe they're trapped.
 

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 08:29 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 9:09pm

Seb28 said: "TheatreFan4 said: "This honestly may be an even stupider comment than anything Boris has said, oh my god. Congrats."

Welcome to reality. White people are the minority on Broadway at the moment so they do not have the same chances percentage wise. They also are not allowed to be two-faced about races and they will not be supported when they would. Double standards for different races are racist per definition. Both these facts and your reaction are stupid. You are two-faced and equality starts where your mindset ends."

Okayyy and where did you get your data from or is this all just vibes?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 9:11pm

Yes, the producers likely needed to ultimately agree to this.  But the MAIN idea & decision, on the casting, was made by Tony winner Arden (ALSO a producer), followed by writer approval, only if requested..  Producers have far less say than expressed here - unless they are the director too. Casting is not their job (they do suggest or bring in a star sometimes).  LEAD producers have some (sorry co-producer collective of investors etc). 

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 09:11 PM

[CJRochester]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 10:16pm

Auggie27 said: "I repeat, this show has an $18.5 capitalization and a $680k weekly nut. The September advance is at best soft, by any yardstick. For the current Best Musical, startling. Girl From the North Country in the same house had similar sales, albeit with an unused balcony. I know because I watched them. Those of us who dearly love this piece hope this setback is resolved."

You seem to be particularly obsessed about this factor, as you've posted it many times in this thread. Ticket sales always drop off in September, when the summer travel season ends and people head to back to school. Are MHE's advance sales lower than other comparable shows at this point? 

Updated On: 8/17/25 at 10:16 PM

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 5:36am

JSquared2 said: "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".



Your head is so far up your own ass you can't even see straight. Educate yourself before speaking next time. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 5:37am

BorisTomashevsky said: "“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."

Yes we'd love to hear from them! There are dozens! Dozens!

 

And I refer to company because you wouldn't give any specific examples of how you have previously "helped' them because it would reveal who you are, thus showing what an embarrassment you are 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 5:40am

MezzoDiva47 said: "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 tocome on here and flame everyone else

they have a word for that

troll

"

 

to flame people?  no it's to call out idiots like you who have no idea what the word racism and bias means. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 5:42am

BorisTomashevsky said: 
And just because Asian actors might not get CAST, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same - or more - opportunities as performers of other races have."

 

Question: would you ever say this statement out loud in public? Serious answers only. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 6:54am

Dani just gave just us FOUR ad hominem posts in a row. And people say I’M breaking records, lol. 

Do you guys even appreciate having Dani on your side regarding this issue…?

Updated On: 8/17/25 at 06:54 AM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 7:16am

YankeeDani said: "BorisTomashevsky said:
And just because Asian actors might not get CAST, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same - or more - opportunities as performers of other races have."



Question: would you ever say this statement out loud in public? Serious answers only."

An audition is an opportunity. An Asian actor can audition for Asian roles, white roles, black roles, brown roles. They can audition for more roles than a white person. Even if they don’t get the job, they still have the OPPORTUNITY. 

I know exactly what I’m saying, and the reasonable people here know it too.