MAYBE HAPPY ENDING - Belasco Theatre (08/11/24)

Whilst it’s true the majority of musicals tend to be based on prior existing source material, once in a while an original musical, concept, characters, music, lyrics and all, comes along and shifts our perception on how powerful, unique and thought provoking theatre can be. Will Aronson and Hue Park musical “Maybe Happy Ending” definitely fits the bill on all counts, giving us arguably one of the best, most original shows of 2024.

Premiering in South Korea in 2016, this show is set in late 21st century Seoul, and presents us with two retired, strikingly lifelike helper robots, formerly employed by Korean families, now discarded and living in an apartment complex specifically for former “helperbots”. Oliver, a model 3, and the other Claire, a more advanced model but with more limited battery life, meet by chance and develop an unexpectedly endearing connection, challenging their perception of their own programming and pre-ingrained beliefs; the book and lyrics are wonderfully clever and witty, drawing plenty of laughs, as well as eliciting a potent emotional response. What was fully not expected was to feel such a strong connection towards two robots.

Helen J Shen and Darren Criss (credit: Jeenah Moon)

This aside though, this show is first and foremost a romantic comedy, where it is truly unique is the notion of robots being challenged by human emotions, and the connection the two develop opens their respective programming beyond what they were built to believe and experience. Darren Criss and Helen J Shen deliver beautiful, enchanting performances, and we as an audience build a strong affinity towards their characters and relationship, Criss giving us a robotic yet nuanced performance, and Shen, the later model, far more human like, but still managing to encapsulate android like movements, and it was a joy to witness such nuanced, precise acting on stage.

Supporting performances by Dez Duron and Marcus Choi as human roles Gil and James (and others) respectively were equally captivating, with Duron's smooth jazz vocals a particular pleasure to behold during a number of the transitions. Choi provides wonderful contrast, and a more grounded sense of humanity to the piece, giving the musical as a whole a rather delightful narrative balance. And though it wasn't afforded any dialogue, the performance of plant HwaBoon has unexpectedly developed it a bit of a cultural icon status.

Darren Criss, HwaBoon and Helen J Shen (credit: Jeenah Moon)

Creative elements are magnificent as well, with Dane Laffrey in particular giving us some sensational set and video design, plus the score by Aronson was a constant treat, an array of stunning songs, all exquisitely orchestrated and performed; and whilst there is a distinct humility and sweetness to much of the musical content, there are certainly some memorable moments, most notably when we are treated to a full string quintet encircling a piano, in a gorgeous, sweeping musical number that took everyone's breath away. Director Michael Arden has really created something exquisite with Aronson and Park's material, and as many people as possibly need to experience this truly beautiful story.

★★★★★

"Maybe Happy Ending" currently plays at New York's Belasco Theatre