Latest news with #Feldman
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Andrew Barth Feldman to replace Darren Criss in Tony-winning ‘Maybe Happy Ending' musical; shares stage with Helen J Shen
Andrew Barth Feldman is set to join the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending , taking over the lead role of Oliver from Darren Criss. Feldman, known for his performances in Dear Evan Hansen and the film No Hard Feelings , will begin his nine-week run on September 2, continuing through November 1 at the Belasco Theatre. The musical follows the story of Oliver, a retired robot living in South Korea, and Claire, a fellow robot, as they explore emotional connection and meaning in their later years. Criss, who originated the role on Broadway in October 2024, became the first Asian American actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Oliver. Feldman joins longtime partner Helen J Shen onstage Feldman will appear opposite Helen J Shen, the show's original Claire, who also happens to be his partner offstage. The couple will be joined by original cast members Dez Duron and Marcus Choi. Understudies Steven Huynh, Hannah Kevitt, Daniel May, Christopher James Tamayo, and Claire Kwon will also remain part of the ensemble. Andrew Barth Feldman is set to join the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending | Credit: X The casting of Feldman marks a shift in the musical's history. Originally developed and premiered in South Korea, this will be the first time the character of Oliver is portrayed by a white actor in a Broadway production. Creators emphasize inclusive casting vision The creators of Maybe Happy Ending — Will Aronson and Hue Park — along with director Michael Arden, acknowledged the significance of Feldman's addition to the cast. In a statement, they shared, 'We fell in love with Andrew's take on the role of Oliver when he appeared as the reader in Helen J Shen's initial audition tape. To have him join her onstage at the Belasco is a special treat. Maybe Happy Ending is a story about longing for connection and the complexities of being human — and robot. These are universal themes that transcend backgrounds. We're proud to continue embracing exciting casting possibilities and to showcase this role as one open to different interpretations and lived experiences.' Andrew Barth Feldman will replace Tony-winner Darren Criss | Credit: X Tony award-winning musical continues its momentum Maybe Happy Ending received widespread acclaim this season, taking home the 2025 Tony Award for Best Musical. The show also won in several other major categories, including Best Score, Best Book, Best Director of a Musical, and Best Actor for Darren Criss. The production's story, centered around retired helperbots Oliver and Claire, has resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and themes of human connection in a futuristic setting.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Francis Mauigoa School: Miami (FL) Height/Weight: 6-6/315 lbs. Player Background - 5-Star Recruit - Member of Feldman's Freak List - Just Turned 20 in June, Will Be 20 When He is Drafted - Second-Team All-ACC in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 26 Career Games - 26 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 68.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 726 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,054 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Athletic ability to handle anyone who tries and face him - Powerful hands both in his leverage but also his strength - Great anchoring ability with a strong base - Quick feet to handle speed on the edge, doesn't lose balance - Can take defenders out of plays Player Summary Francis Mauigoa will be this year's Will Campbell in the sense that his size will dictate the conversation. That being said, he is twice the athlete that Campbell was, in my opinion, and because of that, I see him as a tackle. At worst, he will be a Pro Bowl-level guard from day one for a team that lands him. I love his athletic ability, but he also plays with a physical edge that not many tackles play with anymore. He has strong hands, a good punch, and a good base, and that trio of qualities spells trouble for most anyone who lines up across from him. He will be a must-watch again this Fall in a fast and tough ACC.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Francis Mauigoa School: Miami (FL) Height/Weight: 6-6/315 lbs. Player Background - 5-Star Recruit - Member of Feldman's Freak List - Just Turned 20 in June, Will Be 20 When He is Drafted - Second-Team All-ACC in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 26 Career Games - 26 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 68.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 726 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,054 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Athletic ability to handle anyone who tries and face him - Powerful hands both in his leverage but also his strength - Great anchoring ability with a strong base - Quick feet to handle speed on the edge, doesn't lose balance - Can take defenders out of plays Player Summary Francis Mauigoa will be this year's Will Campbell in the sense that his size will dictate the conversation. That being said, he is twice the athlete that Campbell was, in my opinion, and because of that, I see him as a tackle. At worst, he will be a Pro Bowl-level guard from day one for a team that lands him. I love his athletic ability, but he also plays with a physical edge that not many tackles play with anymore. He has strong hands, a good punch, and a good base, and that trio of qualities spells trouble for most anyone who lines up across from him. He will be a must-watch again this Fall in a fast and tough ACC.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
BKFC boss reveals big development Conor McGregor shared about UFC comeback
Conor McGregor let BKFC president David Feldman in on a major career update. McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is yet to compete since breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He had re-entered the UFC drug-testing pool to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 but withdrew from the fight a month away after breaking his pinky toe. McGregor has not been booked for a fight since, and many have questioned if he will ever return again. But with President Donald Trump announcing that the UFC will host an event next July at the White House, McGregor has thrown his name in the hat. According to Feldman, McGregor is taking his comeback seriously. "He's got two fights left on his contract," Feldman said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "He's got to get right, and the whole world's waiting. Is he going to get in shape and fight? He told me in person, he whispered in my ear, he said, 'I'm in the testing pool.' He said, 'I'm getting ready to make my comeback. I'm going to fight on that big card, and then I'm going to have another fight, and then we can talk." Feldman is referring to McGregor potentially competing for BKFC – something the former UFC dual-champion has vowed he would eventually do. However, McGregor will have to complete the final two fights on his UFC contract before being able to.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
David Feldman: Several fighters already turned down Yoel Romero for BKFC debut
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – David Feldman is already struggling to find an opponent for Yoel Romero's BKFC debut. Former UFC and Bellator title challenger Romero was introduced to the BKFC roster during Thursday's Champions Summit press conference. The BKFC president revealed that Romero will make his promotional debut in fall, but they're still trying to find him a matchup. "We have a couple of guys who already turned it down, and then we just had one guy that said he would take it," Feldman told MMA Junkie. "We don't know if that fight is going to happen, but I'm very excited about it – especially because he's going to make his debut Sept. 12 here at the Hard Rock. So in Miami, where he's from, and to see Yoel Romero with the gloves off, I mean, that's a dangerous thing." BKFC also signed former UFC fighters Thiago Santos, Aspen Ladd, and Derek Brunson, which has Feldman excited at the growth of the company. "It's amazing," Feldman said. "It's just like a testament to never giving up, and that's the truth because I wanted to quit like 20 times. This is not easy. This is hard. If you're not 120 percent fully committed to making this thing work, it can't work. I'm happy we saw it through, because a couple of times we actually hit dead ends, and we were like, 'This is over,' and we found a way to keep it going. "Now I think we're one of the top combat sports promotions in the entire world. Everybody's excited about it. We've got the biggest guy in all of combat sports as our partner, Conor McGregor, so things are going really, really great for us, and I'm very, very happy where we're at."
