MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews — Page 9

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.  

 

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.

 

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.  

Tonight and tomorrow’s performances are very well sold, which pretty much tells me it’s vast-majority comps. 

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. 

 "But Criss is half Filipino."

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.

 

Updated On: 11/23/24 at 04:09 PM

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.

Two steps forward, one step back.

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.

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*.

There are barely any tickets available for the 3 PM 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. 

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