Darren Criss Set for Broadway Comeback as a Love-Stricken Robot
Noted for his versatile career in television, theater, and music, Darren Criss is poised to make his Broadway return this fall. Known worldwide for his breakout role on “Glee”, Criss will star in a unique musical that explores life, love, and loss through the lens of robots.
Fully Original Musical: “Maybe Happy Ending”
Criss is set to star in “Maybe Happy Ending“, a fully original musical, which is a rarity for Broadway. Instead of adapting a pre-existing story or song catalog, this musical presents a fresh narrative. It is set in Seoul in the late 21st century and focuses on two outdated helperbots. They meet at a robot retirement home, where they build a relationship while coming to terms with their own obsolescence.
From Seoul to Broadway
The musical, crafted by Will Aronson and Hue Park, had its first production in Seoul in 2016. It was later translated into English and staged in Atlanta in 2020, where it was hailed as a “charming, Broadway-ready new musical about robots in love”. Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden, “Maybe Happy Ending” is scheduled for previews on September 18 and will open on October 17 at the Belasco Theater.
A Unique Take on Love and Life
Director Michael Arden describes the musical as a “strange, futuristic look at love, with a beautiful score that feels quite classic”. Despite the robotic leads, the story is profoundly human, dealing with themes that are both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Notable Cast and Production Team
Emmy winner Darren Criss, last seen on Broadway in a 2022 revival of “American Buffalo”, will share the stage with Helen J Shen in her Broadway debut. The production is being capitalized for $18.25 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The lead producers are Jeffrey Richards and Hunter Arnold, who have recently announced their involvement in a new Off Broadway play, “N/A”.
Anticipation Builds for Broadway Return
With Darren Criss’s return to Broadway in a unique and original production, anticipation is mounting for this fall. “Maybe Happy Ending” is expected to bring a fresh perspective to life, love, and loss, reminding audiences of the power and relevance of theater in our ever-evolving world.
