I saw here, here, and here that Darren Criss will return to Maybe Happy Ending in November 5. Supposedly, his departure was only supposed to be temporary. Will this be the end of the casting controversy over his replacement Andrew Barth Feldman? We have posted the Instagram post below.
The “revelation” that Criss’s absence was already planned seems almost manipulative. Why didn’t they announce that along with the initial replacement decision? The more cynical point of view (see comments on the Instagram post below and in this reddit thread) is that this is a scheme to drive ticket sales, charging a premium for what people might think are Criss’s “last performances” in Maybe Happy Ending and generating interest for his return.
Back to the question of whether the casting controversy is settled, I don’t think it is. Many people are happy that Darren Criss will return to Maybe Happy Ending. But what happens when Criss and Helen J. Shen eventually leave? How will they cast the touring company when the show moves next year? People are going to be watching those casting decisions very closely when they occur.
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