'Maybe Happy Ending': When robots fall in love

‘MAYBE HAPPY ENDING’: Helen J Shen & Darren Criss. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
By Will Aronson & Hue Park
Directed by Michael Arden
Belasco Theatre
111 West 44^th St.
https://www.maybehappyending.com/

By Scott Harrah

Artificial intelligence or “AI” is becoming commonplace in the 21^st century, and it won’t be too long until robots will be everywhere. However, although robots are not human, do they have actual emotions? Can they fall in love? That’s the premise of Will Aronson and Hue Park’s charming, high-tech musical Maybe Happy Ending, set in the near future in Seoul, Korea.

Darren Criss stars as Oliver, a “HelperBot 3” robot. He is “retired” from his work as a robot. Oliver has a dull, routine life and goes each day to get his mail, hoping his owner James will call him back to work.

Soon, it is 12 years later. Oliver meets Claire (Helen J Shen), a “HelperBot 5” who is a younger, later model. She knocks on his door to ask if she can borrow his “charger.” Like a cell phone, these robots must have their batteries recharged or else they will “power down.”

In a fast-moving one hour and 45 minutes, we see Oliver and Claire fall in love and also learn about their own mortality because, like humans, robots don’t live forever. The musical is often touching, especially when Oliver learns the truth about James (Marcus Choi) and has a confrontation with James’ son, Junseo (also played by Mr. Choi).

Brilliant design team

Overall, Maybe Happy Ending is a simplistic musical, with standard songs and music and a gorgeous, futuristic but utilitarian set created by a brilliant team: video design by George Reeve; scenic and additional design by Dane Laffrey; neon lighting by Ben Stanton; and sound by Peter Hylenski. In addition to the songs and set, small items from a firefly in a jar, a record player to a potted plant help propel the story forward. The firefly represents the short-lived beauty of relationships, while the potted plant named HwaBoon is a metaphor for Oliver’s craving for attention. The record player helps Oliver relive his past, when he often played jazz records for his owner.

First-rate ensemble

Director Michael Arden gets superlative performances from the first-rate ensemble cast. Mr. Criss (American Buffalo, How to Succeed… and TV’s “Glee”) is consistently outstanding. Whether he’s brushing his teeth (and eyebrows) or taking care of his plant, Mr. Criss is a master at physical comedy and is in fine voice. Helen J Shen is a natural as Claire, the quick-witted younger robot, and she has tremendous chemistry with Mr. Criss. Marcus Choi skillfully portrays multiple roles from James and Junseo to numerous other characters. Dez Duron is dynamic as a sharp-dressed mid-century singer. One would never expect a musical about robots to deliver such a heartwarming message about humanity and technology, but that is just one of many nice surprises in Maybe Happy Ending.

Published November 15, 2024
Reviewed at November 14, 2024 press performance