You may have heard about the Maybe Happy Ending casting controversy, but in you have not, here is a quick summary. We have mentioned that Darren Criss would leave his Tony Award winning role in the play by August 31. He is going to be replaced by Andrew Barth Feldman. Two complicating factors in this choice. Feldman is white. He is also the offstage boyfriend of Maybe Happy Ending star Helen J. Shen. BD Wong has created this draft letter denouncing the change and asking for signatures.
The producers of Maybe Happy Ending created this reply in response. They point out that the robot roles were not designed to be specifically Korean. They also mention that the casting decision was not meant to reopen old wounds. A bit late for that! Helen J. Shen released this statement about the casting.
While some commentary on the Maybe Happy Ending Casting Controversy simply dismisses it as bizarre, I appreciated this insightful and nuanced one from Daniella Ignacio. Ignacio does not agree with the casting decision, but brings up a number of key points. One point is that historical context (underrepresentation of Asian actors) is important in understanding the backlash. Another key point of hers: sending hateful comments to Helen J. Shen is not useful. A final point that I would highlight is that wishing that the show folds does not nothing to promote more opportunities for AAPI actors.
