01-05-2025
New York Through The Eyes Of ‘Maybe Happy Ending' Star Helen J. Shen
"Maybe Happy Ending" Star Helen J Shen
The romantic musical comedy Maybe Happy Ending is one of the biggest Broadway hits this season. Set in Seoul, it's about two robots who fall in love and is surprisingly emotional. Helen J. Shen, 24, stars in the lead as Claire and gives a performance that will have you talking long after the show is over.
Helen landed the role after auditioning only once and too, through a single self-tape performance. The town is abuzz about Helen's talent and impending stardom.
I was lucky enough to catch up with her recently about her New York loves.
Where do you live in New York?
The Upper West Side, I love my proximity to Central Park and Riverside Park. It's a lovely respite to the hustle and bustle of New York City.
What is your favorite neighborhood in NYC and why?
I honestly love where I live. There are a bunch of amazing restaurants and bars, and the people watching (and dog watching) is impeccable.
Can you share some of your favorite spots in a Theater District and what makes them so great?
Bryant Park is a lovely green space on the East Side of Broadway. The library is also there, which is beautiful to look at, or a great place to get work done.
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why. What are the dishes to order?
Din Tai Fung is a new addition to the Theater District, and you CAN'T miss the Sticky Rice Shao Mai or the Chocolate Xiao Long Bao with a side of salted cream. The entire menu is pretty solid, you can't go wrong.
Best Theater District watering hole and the drink to get?
Miss Nellie's is a lovely vibe post-show, and have a wonderful assortment of cocktails and mocktails. I also have to shout out The Long Room, across the street from the Belasco Theater because they have a Maybe Happy Ending drink that's gin based. It's floral and fresh-- exactly the kind of drink you'd want while you contemplate your mortality after watching Maybe Happy Ending.
Insider tips for enjoying a Broadway show. Anything to make the experience better?
Go in with an open mind. You can read reviews, ask around, but go to the theater to be affected by what you see. Let yourself form your own opinions and bring your lived experience to the viewing experience. In this day and age, being unadulteratedly present is a rarity. This one moment, this one performance will never happen again. Isn't that wonderful?
The New York City theater you love to go to and why?
I'm biased, but the Belasco is a stunning theater. It's intimate and ornate. It also happens to be considered the most haunted theater on Broadway, though I've never seen any ghosts.... yet.
My biggest takeaway from the show is:
We all have a finite amount of time on Earth, and we need to use that time to connect with each other instead of isolate from one another.
What other Broadway shows are on your radar right now?
John Proctor is the Villain seems to be right up my alley. As soon as there's a performance that I can catch during our show schedule, I'm sat.
Share your insider New York gems.
New York City has some amazing escape rooms. Gotta shout out Mysstic Rooms because they have a theater-themed room that was SO much fun.
Can you share your favorite theaters around the world and why?
I saw Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theater in London, and it was one of my favorite theatrical experiences to date. Besides the stellar performances, the space was used in such an innovative way and opened my mind to the different possibilities of theater staging.
