Broadway's Maybe Happy Ending is, among many accolades, a technical marvel. Star (and 2025 Tony nominee) Darren Criss famously told °ëµºÌåÓý to expect Phantom of the Opera-level stage spectacle, and the Best Musical nominee delivers. Find out how 2025 Tony nominees director Michael Arden and scenic designer Dane Laffrey, along with stage manager Justin Scribner, took the musical's opening number, "The World Within My Room," from the script to the stage in the exclusive behind-the-scenes video above.
Criss and Helen J Shen are leading the 2025 Best Musical Tony nominee at the Belasco Theatre, where the Will Aronson-Hue Park musical opened November 12, 2024. The musical is currently flying high as one of three shows tied for the distinction of being the most Tony-nominated production of the season. The show is up for 10 categories at this year's Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Book for Park and Aronson, Best Direction of a Musical for Arden, and Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Criss. Winners will be named June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in a ceremony set to broadcast live on CBS and stream via Paramount+.
READ: Maybe Happy Ending Writers Hue Park and Will Aronson on the Art of Writing in 2 Languages
Ghostlight Records released the musical's original Broadway cast album digitally earlier this year, and a vinyl edition will drop June 13. Stream the album
The Broadway cast features Shen and Criss starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots that have been deemed obsolete. The pair form an unlikely bond, setting off a surprising and romantic adventure. The music is by Aronson with lyrics by Park and a book by Park and Aronson. The cast also includes Marcus Choi and Dez Duron, with the company rounded out by understudies Steven Huynh, Hannah Kevitt, Daniel May, Claire Kwon, and Christopher James Tamayo. Casting is by Telsey & Co's Craig Burns.
Arden's creative team includes scenic and additional video designer Dane Laffrey, costume designer Clint Ramos, lighting designer Ben Stanton, sound designer Peter Hylenski, video designer George Reeve, music supervisor Deborah Abramson, and music director John Yun.
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Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen in Maybe Happy Ending
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
