Darren Criss, known for his breakout role on “Glee,” is set to make a triumphant return to Broadway this fall in a new musical that is sure to tug at heartstrings and spark conversations about life, love, and loss.
The show, titled “Maybe Happy Ending,” is a rare gem in the world of Broadway as it is a fully original musical, not adapted from any pre-existing story or song catalog. Set in Seoul in the late 21st century, the musical follows the story of two outmoded helperbots who meet at a robot retirement home and form a deep connection while grappling with their own obsolescence.
Directed by Michael Arden, who won a Tony Award for directing a revival of “Parade,” the production features a talented cast including Criss, Helen J Shen, and Dez Duron. Criss, an Emmy winner for his role in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” brings his star power to the stage once again after his previous Broadway appearances in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Arden described the musical as a “strange, futuristic look at love” with a “beautiful score that feels quite classic.” He added, “When I first read it I found it absolutely devastating and heartbreaking and beautiful — it was one of the most human stories I’d come across, even though our leads aren’t human.”
With a capitalization of $18.25 million, “Maybe Happy Ending” is backed by lead producers Jeffrey Richards and Hunter Arnold, who are also behind the upcoming Off Broadway play “N/A” starring Holland Taylor and Ana Villafañe. The play, inspired by real people and events, explores tensions between the first female speaker of the House and the youngest woman elected to Congress, drawing parallels to Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Broadway production of “Maybe Happy Ending” is scheduled to begin previews on Sept. 18 and open on Oct. 17 at the Belasco Theater, promising audiences a unique and moving theatrical experience that transcends the boundaries of time and technology.
