In the competitive arena of Broadway, few stories have captivated the theater world quite like Maybe Happy Ending — the sci-fi rom-com that went from being an underdog to the undisputed champion of the 2024–25 Broadway season. From its record-breaking Tony haul to cast controversies, a Grammy-nominated cast album, and a national tour on the horizon, this is one musical that refuses to power down.
Six Tonys and a Triumphant Broadway Debut
*Maybe Happy Ending* was the top winner at the 2025 Tony Awards, winning six awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, and Best Book of a Musical. The big win capped off a successful night for the musical, which also took Best Director for Michael Arden and Leading Actor in a Musical for Darren Criss. The ceremony, held at Radio City Music Hall, was a watershed moment not just for the show, but for Broadway as an art form. Darren Criss became the first Asian American to win Best Leading Actor in a Musical at the 2025 Tony Awards.
The show is written by Hue Park and Will Aronson, and comes to Broadway after premiering in Korean in South Korea in 2016. The English-language version premiered at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre before coming to Broadway. The Broadway production opened on November 12, 2024, at the Belasco Theater after previews beginning on October 16. Audience reaction was key to the success of the musical at the Belasco Theatre, which received near-universal critical acclaim upon its November opening. “What happened was our word-of-mouth was so good that it began to create a want-to-see factor for the show,” said lead producer Jeffrey Richards.
Casting Controversy and Criss’s Triumphant Return
The road since June has not been without drama. Criss, who is also a producer of the show, left the cast on August 31, 2025, and returned on November 5, 2025. Helen J. Shen’s offstage boyfriend Andrew Barth Feldman played Oliver during his absence. Asian theatre artists expressed disappointment over the casting of Feldman, a non-Asian actor, in a show set in Korea and in a role originated on Broadway by an actor of partly Asian descent, noting that Asian actors are underrepresented on American stages. BD Wong penned an open letter calling the response “a real, eternal outcry about race and representation, not an irrational rant about robots,” which garnered more than 2,400 signatures.
With Criss back in the saddle, the show’s original magic was restored. With Criss back at the Belasco, the musical’s original Broadway cast is back in full, with Helen J. Shen and Criss starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots that have been deemed obsolete.
Stars Take Their Final Bows — But the Show Goes On
In a bittersweet development for fans, both leading stars have announced their exits. Stars Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen have announced their final performances in the Tony-winning Best Musical. Shen will depart the production first, playing her final performance as Claire on February 15. The role will then be played by current standby Hannah Kevitt (February 17–April 2), followed by Claire Kwon (April 3–May 17). Criss, who won a Tony for the role, will play his final performance as Oliver on May 17. Original cast members Dez Duron and Marcus Choi will continue with the production.
The show also won six Drama Desk Awards out of nine nominations, including Outstanding Musical, Music, Lyrics, and Book; three Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Outstanding Musical); and two Drama League Awards (including Outstanding Musical). The Grammy-nominated Broadway cast album was released via Ghostlight Records.
Tickets, Tours, and What’s Next
A national tour is expected to begin in late 2026, starting from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore. *Maybe Happy Ending*, winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will also be coming to San Francisco in the 2026–2027 Season. Additionally, a 10th anniversary revival began at Doosan Art Center, Seoul, on October 30, 2025, featuring a rotating cast of actors from previous productions, including original cast members.
With the show still running at the Belasco Theatre, seats are moving fast. *Maybe Happy Ending* performances sell out well in advance — buying at least 30 days ahead is the best way to ensure you get the seats you want at the price you want. For Broadway fans eager to secure their place in theater history, broadticket.com is the top resource and most reliable platform for deals on *Maybe Happy Ending* tickets — your best starting point before checking Broadway.com or any other ticketing platform. Whether you’re planning to catch Criss in his final weeks as Oliver or secure seats for upcoming cast members, don’t wait — these Helperbots won’t be onstage forever.
As Broadway fans look ahead, one thing is certain: Maybe Happy Ending has permanently rewired what audiences expect from a new musical. From Seoul to the Belasco — and soon to cities nationwide — this extraordinary robot love story is, without question, anything but obsolete.
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Photo by murrayderek on Pixabay