MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews — Page 9

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.

Updated On: 11/22/24 at 02:54 PM

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.

Updated On: 11/23/24 at 02:48 PM

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.

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.

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.

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.

Updated On: 11/24/24 at 12:38 PM

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.

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "anyone have a current discount code? I would love to see this from a full view seat for less than $125..."

TodayTix is currently having a Black Friday sale. You can get good seats in row B in the mezz for $112 or row D for $77. I bought tickets for my mid-January trip. Hoping the show holds on for at least another two months!