Actor Andrew Barth Feldman signs up for 'Maybe Happy Ending', sparking debates about on-screen representation
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In a move that has sparked controversy within the Asian American theatre community, Andrew Barth Feldman, a white actor, will take on the role of Oliver in the Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending" starting September 2, 2022.
The musical, which has achieved both critical and commercial success, is seen as a milestone by many Asian American theatre-goers and artists, symbolising Broadway's progress and the potential for undoing that progress. The show, with Asian origins and a future Seoul setting, was originally conceived and written in Korean by Will Aronson and Hue Park.
The concern over Feldman's casting is not solely about a white actor taking on the role, but about the broader pattern in which Asian performers are sidelined, even in works with Asian origins, creators, and themes. This issue has been a long-standing concern, with historical examples such as the casting of Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce as the Eurasian character, the Engineer, in "Miss Saigon" in 1991.
Darren Criss, who is of Filipino heritage, originated the role of Oliver on Broadway and became the first actor of Asian descent to win the Tony Award for Lead Actor in a Musical for his performance. This casting was seen as an important milestone for Asian American visibility and representation on Broadway.
The recent casting of Feldman, following Criss, has prompted criticism from some members of the Asian American theatre community. Conrad Ricamora, a longtime advocate for Asian American representation in theatre, publicly expressed his disappointment over Feldman's casting on Instagram, citing feelings of pain from being told or feeling that they don't belong, watching history repeat itself, and fighting for representation.
The creators of "Maybe Happy Ending" have stated that the show's casting philosophy embraces infinite and exciting possibilities in casting, and the role of Oliver welcomes different interpretations and lived experiences. However, this has not fully alleviated concerns about representation and the potential rollback of progress in Asian American casting on Broadway.
As of press time, neither Feldman nor the production team of "Maybe Happy Ending" has publicly addressed the criticism regarding Feldman's casting directly. The Asian American Performers Action Coalition, a Tony-winning advocacy group, has publicly expressed their disappointment, emphasising the importance of continued representation in roles based on Asian stories.
The debate over Feldman's casting in "Maybe Happy Ending" highlights the ongoing struggle for authentic representation in theatre and the need for continued advocacy for Asian American performers.
Summary table for context:
| Musical | Role | Originally Cast Actor | Actor Replacing | Issue Raised | |--------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------| | Miss Saigon (1991)| Engineer (Eurasian) | Jonathan Pryce (white, makeup) | N/A | White actors in Asian roles, “yellowface” | | Maybe Happy Ending| Oliver (Asian) | Darren Criss (Filipino descent) | Andrew Barth Feldman (white) | Criticism over loss of Asian representation on Broadway |
- The controversy surrounding Andrew Barth Feldman's casting as Oliver in "Maybe Happy Ending" has raised concerns about the ongoing issue of representation, as this marks a shift away from Asian actors in roles that have Asian origins.
- The debate over Feldman's casting in "Maybe Happy Ending" underscores the importance of continued representation for Asian American performers in entertainment, a matter that has historical precedents such as the casting of Jonathan Pryce as the Eurasian character, the Engineer, in "Miss Saigon" in 1991.
