This robot love story was one of the most human things I’ve seen on Broadway. That’s the cliché line, but it’s true. I’m going to skip reviewing the details of the show, with one exception later, and just cover its impact. I love theater because how of much a live show can make me feel. Many great shows have done that, and probably more deeply than this show, but what I felt was so different with this one.
It can be helpful to process things through stories and develop new pathways of empathy. The past week, month, year, 2 years, 8 years have been full of heavy emotions outside of the theater which have also been reflected inside. This little darling of a show took all of that away for about an hour and a half. I fell into this alternate world that had problems of its own, but they were not our problems. For 90 minutes+ I was able to avoid satirical references, allegories, metaphors, and overt commentary on the issues of the world we are in.
It was an emotional vacation. Not from emotion itself, but from the ones that have created so much scar tissue lately. I was able to laugh, cry, and be elevated with joy as the weight of reality released its grip.
The details of the show could be picked apart, it’s not perfect by any means, but it was perfect for right now. I do want to call out the projections which were enchanting and created an immersive atmosphere. I recommend sitting in the mezzanine to take it all in.
This was the fifth show of a ten-show solo trip to New York. Afterward, all I wanted to do was cancel the rest of my plans and get on the first train back home to hug my wife. So, I did.
If you want to support original theater…
If you want an escape from contemporary social issues…
I do find it interesting that a show that has received glowing reviews, has a person starring in it who was part of a show (though it was on years ago) that was a darling of a certain generation of viewers wouldn't pull more audience members just on that.
I see how he isn't necessarily an A+ star, but still a generation of TV viewers would know who he is.
Again though that was quite a few years ago now, so I can see how a "small" musical, though charming and well-received, with an actor (who was just one of a large ensemble of cast members) from said TV show, just ain't going to get the job done.
And I guess it's conceivable that for every poster here who is also raving about it, there could be five people out there with whom it didn't resonate, and are passing on that "take a pass" word to others as well. Which keeps the numbers at meh level.
theatreguy12 said: "I do find it interesting that a show that has received glowing reviews, has a person starring in it who was part of a show (though it was on years ago) that was a darling of a certain generation of viewers wouldn't pull more audience members just on that.
I see how he isn't necessarily an A+ star, but still a generation of TV viewers would know who he is."
Knowing someone's past work is a lot different than caring enough to spend $100+ (or even $60+). But this is certainly proving to be illustrative of his drawing power (or lack there of). It'll likely cause his quote to go down for future projects.
It's also illustrative of the limited drawing power of TV miniseries': he won nearly every Best Actor award for Ryan Murphy's Versace/American Crime Story series in 2019.
He's also somewhat overexposed on the NY stage, having appeared in Little Shop within the past calendar year and also American Buffalo in 2022.
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "theatreguy12 said: "I do find it interesting that a show that has received glowing reviews, has a person starring in it who was part of a show (though it was on years ago) that was a darling of a certain generation of viewers wouldn't pull more audience members just on that.
I see how he isn't necessarily an A+ star, but still a generation of TV viewers would know who he is."
Knowing someone's past workis a lot different than caring enough to spend $100+ (or even $60+). But this is certainly proving to be illustrative of his drawing power (or lack there of). It'll likely cause his quote to go down for future projects."
They're also not pushing his involvement nearly as much as they could be in the advertising. Sure he's a big part of it, especially in YouTube commercials and stuff, but the leading narrative is "totally original musical!" which, in the era where most of what's successful with a tourist audience is blockbuster film adaptations, is a...let's say risky strategy.
"I think that when a movie says it was 'based on a true story,' oh, it happened - just with uglier people." - Peanut Walker, Shucked
This musical was like a soothing balm after seeing so so so many bad or mediocre shows on Broadway; stunning music and production with two remarkable leads in truly unique story. I really hope I have the chance to see it one more time.
Decided to catch this again last night. Undeniably one of the most beautiful shows I’ve seen in ages. We’re so lucky to have this on broadway right now.
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
Play Esq. said: "This musical was like a soothing balm after seeing so so so many bad or mediocre shows on Broadway; stunning music and production with two remarkable leads in truly unique story. I really hope I have the chance to see it one more time."
MHE is a lovely show, but the music isn't stunning. It's repetitive.
pagereynolds said: "Play Esq. said: "This musical was like a soothing balm after seeing so so so many bad or mediocre shows on Broadway; stunning music and production with two remarkable leads in truly unique story. I really hope I have the chance to see it one more time."
MHE is a lovely show, but the music isn't stunning. It's repetitive."
Agree. Repetitive. Our group was comped in last night again. Our group found it cute but had no emotional connection to the storytelling. More a response from the constant expensive set movement, including the fact our seats just off center and we were cut off visually. The creative team took an elitist view point in only directing and designing the show from the prime $ center orchestra/mezz a similar choice for their Christmas Carol. Our Korean American friends asked why a more visually significant AAPI performer was not chosen in the Criss role, someone they knew nothing of. Cute, if not already told, story but middled for our group.
CoffeeBreak said: "pagereynolds said: "Play Esq. said: "This musical was like a soothing balm after seeing so so so many bad or mediocre shows on Broadway; stunning music and production with two remarkable leads in truly unique story. I really hope I have the chance to see it one more time."
MHE is a lovely show, but the music isn't stunning. It's repetitive."
Agree. Repetitive. Our group was comped in last night again. Our group found it cute but had no emotional connection to the storytelling. More a response from the constant expensive set movement, including the fact our seats just off center and we were cut off visually. The creative team took an elitist view point in only directing and designing the show from the prime $ center orchestra/mezz a similar choice for their Christmas Carol. Our Korean American friendsasked why an AAIPperformer was not chosen in the Criss role, someone they knew nothing of. Cute, if not already told, story but middled for our group."
I’m having trouble following your syntax. But Criss is half Filipino.
I thought this was quite special. I wouldn’t have minded them expanding it a bit into two acts. I wanted more from these lovely and fascinating characters.
Interesting. Thank you! Sorry, AAPI. Good to know, our couple friends couldn't fully see themselves in the show and were surprised by his casting given the setting. Having seen it overseas we were surprised too given that it's the same show in an upgraded production. Criss was good just unexpected for them.
I saw this almost a month ago, and forgot to post --- but just wanted to add to the chorus of voices who really, really loved this. Thought it was super special, and also thought the music was just incredible --- one of the most intelligent, well-constructed, beautiful scores to hit Broadway in a while.
It's one of those shows I would take anyone to.
"I feel safe with you, and complete with you / I'm always finding money in the street with you."
-Sheldon Harnick
I have a guess as to why a show that's won over theater aficionados and critics alike, can't seem to make it on Broadway.
Had they change the setting from Seoul/Jeju Island to Detroit/Ann Arbor and casted a non-Asian actor instead of Helen J. Shen, I think their chances of success would look very different. There - I said it.
I saw MHE in previews (along with Yellow Face) and I will be forever grateful to the producers/creatives for bringing this to Broadway. The show is first-rate by every Broadway measurement - a Wall-E meets Eternal Sunshine meets Kimberly Akimbo musical.
But this show has a tough ask and in addition to all its glowing reviews, its achievement is that it dared to ask it at all. MHE doesn’t shy from being an "Asian" show that isn't about racism, interment camps, immigrants, war, etc.. some theme that is seperate from the audience. It asks audiences to universalize Asians the way the show also humanizes robots. I have never felt so seen without being noticed before.
From Yellow Face's Miss Saigon problem to Maybe Happy Ending, we (all of us) had finally made it. Representation rings hollow next to universalization. And for me, it’s been wonderful seeing the critical acclaim and lurking the folks here who cheer on MHE.
However, the reality is that the Asian public supports theater even less than their non-Asian counterparts. You aren't going to see church/community group buses that I saw parked in front of Hell's Kitchen. And this show may close. Money is tight and folks who are okay with Eva in Great Gatsby aren’t going to take that same risk on MHE because it is too Asian.
EDSOSLO858 said: "Tonight and tomorrow’s performances are very well sold, which pretty much tells me it’s vast-majority comps."
all shows were still available at TKTS. So although Telecharged showed almost no availability, take it with a grain of salt that these were all tickets sold this weekend.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Tonight and tomorrow’s performances are very well sold, which pretty much tells me it’s vast-majority comps."
all shows were still available at TKTS. So although Telecharged showed almost no availability, take it with a grain of salt that these were all tickets sold this weekend."
Yes. It's consistently been at TKTS until showtime with 50%+ discounts. They fill many of the seats early with TDF, comps and beyond.
this is a really refreshing, special piece. im so glad i saw it and i hope it finds its legs. the orchestra and mezzanine were both full tonight, fwiw.
i do wonder if the show would benefit from an off-bway run, to gain buzz/raves that can then launch it into tony season where it would absolutely be a contender. opening cold on broadway without known IP or a celeb name is just rough. the suggestion above that the show would do better set in the US is delusional- your bridge/tunnel and tourist trade are not researching the plot points or geographic settings before buying a ticket. i dont think the name itself is doing the show any favors---robots falling in love could get people in the door and theres little i have seen to indicate to anyone what this is about beyond vaguely romantic plotline.
business concerns aside, i do think the show runs a little long-- not sure an intermission will help, because there are a few "concluding moments" that made me think we were wrapping up before we then continued onward. but the emotional punch is sublime, even if the score blends together into one long jazzy number.
in my mind criss is a powerhouse vocalist (hedwig, glee, etc) but i found his belty voice does not fit the score here. at times. but he overcomes that and then some- its a pretty impressive physical performance and when the score lets him let loose, hes incredible. Shen is perfect, no notes.
this also reminded me of Swept Away in that unlike so many other shows, this production is making such good use of broadway sets/space/movement, it was a pleasure to watch and take in the way the production takes us on this physical journey, from tight small spaces that get highlighted so intelligently, and then off on the road. nominate them all.
criss' Broadway Cares speech included a plea for everyone to spread the word about the show. will do.
Maybe I've been extrapolating too much from my own tastes, but I have been a bit surprised to hear that this show hasn't caught on more widely. Glowing reviews aside, from what I can tell (not having seen it) one could frame it as a romantic K-drama crossed with cosy fantasy; both of those are reasonably 'trendy' genres with sizeable and growing Western fanbases, to my understanding. But, here we are *shrug*.
Fan123 said: "Maybe I've been extrapolating too much from my own tastes, but I have been a bit surprised to hear that this show hasn't caught on more widely. Glowing reviews aside, from what I can tell (not having seen it) one could frame it asa romantic K-drama crossed with cosy fantasy; both of those are reasonably 'trendy' genres with sizeable and growing Western fanbases, to my understanding. But, here we are*shrug*."
Hard to tell how its being marketed since thats become such a specific direct-to-consumer enterprise, but yeah, until I read the reviews, I didnt really know what this was about, had no idea it was robot-based or Korea-set, and the title is so generic. I'm not saying its easy to market this, and maybe theyre relying on mass pull quotes from the NYT, but "generic love story with that guy who used be on glee that was canceled 10 yrs ago" is not gonna do it, i fear.
Up at TKTS all day. They're dropping them 10-20 on telecharge every 30 minutes until they "sell". Then there are more at higher price. Inventory fear game. Friends are comped in today.
Joining in the well deserved praise of this absolute charmer of a musical. I loved every single thing about it. So much has been written by way more eloquent folks than myself, but if even for a moment you are on the fence about seeing this show - choosing a show to see when you visit or just curious - get a ticket. Visually Stunning on top of so much heart and the absolute talents of Darren, Helen and Michael Arden. Just excellent.
Favorite of the trip! When I first heard about Happy Ending, a musical about robots from Korea, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The concept sounded bizarre, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after reading glowing reviews online, I decided to take a chance. And I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be my absolute favorite show of the weekend. The storytelling was charming, sweet, and surprisingly emotional—sometimes even heartbreaking. The production was incredibly well done, and it had a depth that I wasn’t expecting. I’m so glad I gave this original concept a shot.