Broadway and screen favorite Andrew Barth Feldman joins Broadway's Maybe Happy Ending as Oliver beginning September 2 at the Belasco Theatre. Feldman temporarily succeeds the show's Tony-winning original star and co-producer, Darren Criss, who is beginning a nine-week leave of absence. Criss took his final bow—for now—August 31, and is set to return to the production November 5.
The casting of Feldman, who is notably also co-star Helen J Shen's offstage boyfriend, has attracted a wave of controversy in the theatre community. Criss made history earlier this year becoming the first Asian American actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Musical, one of his two wins of the night (as a co-producer of Maybe Happy Ending, Criss also shares the show's Best Musical win). The show is set in Korea, hence the controversy surrounding the casting of Feldman, who is white. The show's creators have released statements saying they'd always indicated Criss and co-star Shen's characters to be available to actors of all races due to both being robots in the world of the show. Critics have called the casting out as taking away a rare opportunity for Asian actors to own a leading role in a major, Tony-winning musical. Tony-winning playwright B.D. Wong released a public letter criticizing the casting last month, with more than 2,400 co-signatories including Bowen Yang, Awkwafina, and Ruthie Ann Miles.
Maybe Happy Ending opened at the Belasco November 12, 2024. The musical, featuring a Tony-winning book and score by Hue Park and Will Aronson, is the most Tony-winning show of the season just ended. The show was also one of three productions to be the most nominated of the season, with nods in 10 categories. See the full list of 2025 Tony winners here.
READ: Maybe Happy Ending Writers Hue Park and Will Aronson on the Art of Writing in 2 Languages
The Broadway cast now features Shen and Feldman starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots that have been deemed obsolete. The pair form an unlikely bond, setting off a surprising and romantic adventure. The company is rounded out by understudies Steven Huynh, Hannah Kevitt, Daniel May, Claire Kwon, and Christopher James Tamayo. Casting is by Telsey & Co's Craig Burns.
Two-time Tony winner Michael Arden directs, leading a creative team that also includes includes scenic and additional video designer Dane Laffrey, costume designer Clint Ramos, lighting designer Ben Stanton, sound designer Peter Hylenski, video designer George Reeve, music supervisor Deborah Abramson, and music director John Yun.
Visit MaybeHappyEnding.com.
