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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Maybe Happy Ending' continues its Broadway ascent with Drama Desk sweep
Winning streak fuels Tony Award hopes 'Maybe Happy Ending,' the Broadway adaptation of the beloved South Korean musical, added to its accolades on Sunday, taking home six honors at the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards in New York. Among the night's biggest winners, the show claimed outstanding musical and outstanding director for Michael Arden. Writers Will Aronson and Park Chun-hue, also known as Hue Park, achieved a sweep in the musical writing categories, winning outstanding music, lyrics, and book of a musical. These wins mark a major milestone in the show's remarkable journey from small theaters in Seoul to the heart of Broadway. Last month, 'Maybe Happy Ending' was also named best musical by the New York Drama Critics' Circle — America's second-oldest theater award after the Pulitzer Prize. Sunday's win fuels hopes for the show's prospects at the upcoming Tony Awards, for which the musical earned 10 nominations, including best musical, best direction for Arden and best actor in a musical for Darren Criss. The winners will be announced at the 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 8. Set in a near-future Seoul, 'Maybe Happy Ending' follows the story of Oliver and Claire — two outdated HelperBot androids discarded by their human owners — who find each other and form a bond neither expected. Starring Darren Criss as Oliver and Broadway newcomer Helen J. Shen as Claire, the show blends science fiction with poignant emotional realism, bringing themes of connection, obsolescence and hope to life. The show's origins go back to 2014, when it was developed with funding from Korea's Wooran Foundation. It premiered in Seoul in 2016 and ran for five seasons in small theaters in Daehagno, before its English-language adaptation made it to New York's Belasco Theatre in November 2024. Marking the 10th anniversary of its creation, the original Korean-language version of "Maybe Happy Ending" will return to the stage in Seoul in October. gypark@
Korea Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Maybe Happy Ending' clinches Drama League and Critics' Circle awards
With the Tony Awards still ahead, the musical's winning streak may be far from over. In a landmark season for Korean theater on the international stage, 'Maybe Happy Ending' added two more accolades on Friday to its growing list of honors at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards. The Broadway adaptation of the beloved South Korean musical won outstanding production of a musical, and director Michael Arden was awarded outstanding direction of a musical. The wins mark another significant milestone in the show's journey from intimate Seoul theaters to Broadway's spotlight. Earlier this month, "Maybe Happy Ending" was also named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics' Circle, the second-oldest theater award in the U.S. after the Pulitzer Prize. The musical secured the majority vote on the first ballot, with 15 out of 23 New York-area drama critics backing the production. And the musical's winning streak may be far from over. It has garnered 10 nominations at the upcoming 78th Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Arden, and Best Actor in a Musical for Darren Criss. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 8. Set in a near-futuristic Seoul, 'Maybe Happy Ending' follows the story of Oliver and Claire — two outdated HelperBot androids discarded by their human owners — who find each other and form a bond neither expected. Starring Darren Criss as Oliver and Broadway newcomer Helen J Shen as Claire, the show blends science fiction with poignant emotional realism, bringing to life themes of connection, obsolescence and hope. The musical is the result of a long-standing collaboration between Korean playwright and lyricist Park Chun-hue, also known as Hue Park, and American composer Will Aronson. Together, they are nominated for three Tony Awards: best musical, best original score and best book of a musical. Aronson also received a separate nomination for best orchestrations, making him the most-nominated individual at this year's Tony Awards. The show's origins trace back to 2014, when it was first developed with support from Korea's Wooran Foundation. It premiered in Seoul in 2016 and ran for five seasons in intimate theaters, winning over audiences with its tender storytelling and cross-cultural musicality. Its English-language adaptation was first workshopped in New York in 2016 before finally reaching Broadway. Directed by Michael Arden, with orchestrations by Kim Scharnberg, the Broadway production opened at the Belasco Theatre in November 2024. As of late April, the production had surpassed 200 performances and $20.89 million in total box office revenue. Its run has been extended through January 17, 2026. Marking the 10th anniversary of its creation, the original Korean-language version of "Maybe Happy Ending" will return to the stage in Seoul this October.
Korea Herald
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Maybe Happy Ending' earns 10 Tony nominations
The first English-language production of the hit Korean musical by Park Chun-hue and Will Aronson touches hearts in New York theater scene 'Maybe Happy Ending,' a Broadway adaptation of the beloved South Korean musical, has earned 10 nominations at the 78th annual Tony Awards, including best musical, best direction of a musical for Michael Arden, and best actor in a musical for Darren Criss. This achievement places it alongside "Buena Vista Social Club" and "Death Becomes Her" as one of the most-nominated shows of the year. The winners will be announced at the ceremony on June 8. Set in a near-futuristic Seoul, "Maybe Happy Ending" tells the quietly moving story of Oliver and Claire — two outdated HelperBot androids who forge an unexpected emotional connection after being discarded by their human owners. Criss stars as Oliver, with Broadway newcomer Helen J Shen portraying Claire. The musical was originally written in Korean by playwright and lyricist Park Chun-hue, also known as Hue Park, with music by Will Aronson — longtime collaborators on bilingual productions. Park and Aronson are nominated together for three Tony Awards — best musical, best original score and best book of a musical — while Aronson also picked up a fourth nomination for best orchestrations, making him this year's most-nominated individual at the Tonys. The duo's recent project, "Il Tenore," which premiered in Seoul in 2023, also won top honors including the grand prize and composition award at a major Korean musical awards ceremony. First developed with support from Korea's Wooran Foundation in 2014, "Maybe Happy Ending" premiered in Seoul in 2016 following a series of readings and tryouts. It became a beloved hit over five seasons in 300-to-400-seat theaters. The English-language adaptation was first workshopped in New York in 2016. On Broadway, director Michael Arden and orchestrator Kim Scharnberg have brought the show to a wider international audience without sacrificing the work's emotional subtlety. Since opening at Broadway's Belasco Theatre in November 2024, "Maybe Happy Ending" has become a commercial and critical success. During the final week of December, it grossed over $1 million in ticket sales, with a seat occupancy rate of 99.52%, according to Its strong performance led to an extension through Jan. 17, 2026. As of late April, the show has surpassed 200 performances and grossed over $20.89 million. In addition to its Tony nominations, 'Maybe Happy Ending' has been nominated for four Drama League Awards, including outstanding production of a musical, outstanding direction, and distinguished performance. Marking the 10th anniversary of its creation, the original Korean-language version of "Maybe Happy Ending" will return to the stage in Seoul this October.
