Darren Criss made history in ‘Maybe Happy Ending,’ becoming the first Asian actor to win a Tony for a leading role in a musical; now his role is being recast with a white actor
Darren Criss made history with his performance in ‘Maybe Happy Ending,’ becoming the first Asian actor to win a Tony Award for a leading role in a musical. Now, his role is being recast with a white actor, sidelining the chance to continue its Asian representation.
Following the show’s announcement last week that Andrew Barth Feldman will take over the lead role of Oliver, Broadway fans of all backgrounds had a lot to say. Swipe above to see some of their reactions.
The show’s creative team suggests that the role of Oliver could be played by anyone since the character is a robot. “At its core, ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ is a story about the longing for connection and the complexities of being human (and Helperbot, and Vegetable)—universal themes that transcend all backgrounds," they said in a statement last week, per Playbill.
But fans of the show aren’t buying that statement, with many pointing out that the role’s description and the actual cast, including understudies, have always been of Asian descent.
What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think in the comments.
