A Broadway run for the English version of 'Maybe Happy Ending' was announced for 2024, directed by Michael Arden and starring Darren Criss as Oliver.
A film adaptation of the musical, titled 'My Favorite Love Story', premiered in 2023, expanding the story's reach beyond the theater.
International Productions
Director Kim Dong-yeon joined the production in Shanghai due to travel inconveniences caused by the pandemic.
The Japanese premiere in 2017 adapted the stage design and direction to fit the local market, featuring idol-actors in major roles.
The 'Maybe Happy Ending Concert' took place in 2017, involving both the Korean and American creative teams.
In 2018, the musical was revived in Seoul with some cast members from the premiere and additional new actors.
The English-language debut in Atlanta in 2020 was noted for its inclusive casting and received praise from The New York Times.
A Japanese performance in 2020 introduced a new cast including actors Kenji Urai, Shoko Nakagawa, and Kana Hanazawa.
The Chinese premiere in 2021 marked the fourth self-produced musical by SAIC Shanghai Culture Square.
The musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' was developed with support from the Wooran Cultural Foundation in Seoul, and it premiered in December 2016, illustrating the growth of Korean musical theater.
The 2021 Seoul revival marked the fourth season of the production and featured Jung Uk-jin reprising his role as Oliver.
During the Seoul revival in 2021, the production was adapted for an online performance and livestreamed three times on Naver TV's 'C-Mu by CJ ENM MUSICAL' channel.
At the 2nd Korean Musical Awards, Maybe Happy Ending swept all its nominations, winning in categories like Best Musical, Best Director, and Best Music, Lyrics and Book.
Maybe Happy Ending is an original South Korean one-act musical that premiered in 2016 at Lifeway Hall in DCF Daemyung Cultural Factory in Seoul.
Musical Composition
Hue Park, the lyricist, was inspired to create the musical after hearing 'Everyday Robots' by Damon Albarn and drawing a parallel to human-like robots living lonely lives.
The music for Maybe Happy Ending was composed by Will Aronson, with lyrics by Hue Park. Both Aronson and Park co-wrote the book for the musical.
Notable Tours
The Chinese tour of the production in 2021 included performances in cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Xiamen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuxi, and Tianjin.
A second Japanese tour in 2018 included performances in Yokohama and Osaka, featuring a mix of K-pop idols and actors.
Production Facts
The Broadway production of 'Maybe Happy Ending' faced delays due to supply chain issues, pushing the opening date from October 17 to November 12, 2024.
The 2020 Seoul revival introduced technical updates like a running set and increased video use, enhancing the stage dynamics.
An encore performance in 2017 saw the return of key actors from the premiere, sustaining its box office success.
Proceeds from the original soundtrack, produced by the Wooran Cultural Foundation, were donated to promote a virtuous cycle in the culture and art industry.
The premiere performance achieved a significant success with a 92% average occupancy rate and tickets sold out for 60 out of 97 performances.
The premiere's promotional posters were designed by Hue, who is also a freelance designer for a New York advertising agency.
Makeup for the production was designed by Kim Min-kyung, and costumes were designed by Doyeon.
Stage designer Nam Kyung-sik and lighting designer Lee Dong-jin worked together to create the visual elements of the production.
The music director for the production was Joo Yeon-jo, and the sound engineer was Kwon Ji-hwi.
Oliver discovers that his old friend James has passed away through receiving an LP record, highlighting the emotional connections between humans and robots.
Claire and Oliver make promises to each other not to fall in love, which they eventually break, reflecting the deepening of their relationship.
In the story, Oliver and Claire watch 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' together, leading to playful impersonations and bonding over the movie.
The plot includes a unique element where robots, originally designed to assist humans, lead isolated existences akin to outdated technology forgotten in a drawer.
Director Kim Dong-yeon won the Directing Award at the 6th Yegreen Musical Awards for his work on Maybe Happy Ending.
The musical is centered around two life-like helper-bots, Oliver and Claire, set in the late 21st century Seoul, exploring themes of relationships, love, and the human condition.