Carindale, Queensland, AUSTRALIA – Maybe Happy Ending, a Korean musical turned Broadway hit, is currently only being performed in New York, but I was determined to see it after news of its many Tony awards reached Australia.
Listen to the author read this review:
To start, I watched all the available trailers and clips of the show. But I was left pining for more of the brilliant vocals and acting gifted to us by Darren Criss and Helen Shen so – as someone desperate for the raw emotion, energy and talent only a musical can provide – I listened to the full soundtrack on repeat.
For three hours.
Not only was l inspired by the beautiful vocals, but the impeccable technique of the entire cast.
In spite of my obsessing over the show’s soundtrack, my desire to see it still had not been quenched.
Out of pure luck, l found a link to a bootleg recording or – if you’re a part of the theater community – a ‘slime tutorial’ hidden in the comments of a Pinterest pin regarding Maybe Happy Ending.
Though the recording was not the best quality, upon the opening scene, I was transported into the Belasco Theatre, transported into the world of the retired helper bots Oliver and Claire, and their story of finding a new purpose, going on a journey and forming an adorably romantic relationship, against all odds.
It is no surprise to me that the show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won six of them! One of them was Best New Musical – that it is for sure!
The musical was heartwarming and sweet and the set it was performed on was incredible – replacing traditional curtains were iris lenses with their edges lit by strip lights. Each room was built into a turntable in the centre of the stage, so the scene transitions were exceptionally smooth.
It was like watching a series of magic tricks.
The sets were also incredibly detailed. There were particular vinyl records displayed to match the characters’ music tastes and images of the characters in their costumes were hung for display.
The selection of color schemes matched each character’s personality and clothing to the point of perfection.
The show’s stars Criss and Shen brought the two robot protagonists to life, or rather, they charged them up.
Criss portrayed the older model ‘Helper Bot 3’ perfectly, with facial expressions and movements to match that of a machine.
Shen portrayed her newer model ‘Helper bot 5’ with the same attention to detail. Being a newer robot, her movements were looser and more relaxed but her facial expressions and reactions largely mirrored his.
Shen’s portrayal of Claire also included many hilarious jokes and comments, which she performed with just the right amount of sarcasm and terrific timing.
And of course, the vocals in each beautiful song were breathtaking, the harmonies brought chills and the strength and clarity in each sung note was almost tangible.
It truly is incredible what people, or helper bots, can do when we work together.
So if you live anywhere near New York, you should hit the road and go see Maybe Happy Ending! And while you’re at it, think of me, sitting on the other side of the world, desperately wishing that teleportation was possible so l could see the amazing story that is Maybe Happy Ending, live and in person.
But if you are in the same situation I am, take a scroll on Pinterest – you never know what you might find.
Emily Hilton is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
