Actress Constance Wu expresses frustration towards Andrew Barth Feldman following a voice memo about a potential "happy ending", stating she feels disheartened.
In the world of theatre, the critically acclaimed production 'Maybe Happy Ending' has been making headlines for reasons beyond its success. The show, which premiered on Broadway in 2024, has been selling out every week and grossing over $1 million, but it's the casting of its lead actor, Andrew Barth Feldman, that has sparked a heated debate.
The show, following the story of two life-like robots, Oliver and Claire, who develop a connection in late 21st century Seoul, originally featured an Asian-led cast during its premiere in Korea in 2016. However, when it moved to Broadway, Feldman, who is white, took on the role of Oliver. This decision has been met with criticism from some, including Constance Wu, who has called it an example of 'whitewashing on Broadway.'
Wu, an actress of Asian descent, shared her disappointment with Feldman in a statement on Instagram. She also apologised to the signatories of BD Wong's open letter denouncing the casting decision in 'Maybe Happy Ending.' Despite this, Andrew Barth Feldman and the producers of the show have yet to publicly acknowledge the letter.
In response to the backlash, the creators of the show, Will Aronson and Hue Park, expressed their sadness that their production could ever become a source of confusion, anger, or pain. They stated that their dream was for their show to be able to be performed by anyone, anywhere, while distinctly set in Korea.
In a peaceful and in-depth discussion, Wu and Feldman addressed the issue of Asian American representation in theater. The conversation led to a resolution, with Feldman reprising his role as Oliver on Nov. 5, as announced by Aronson and Park.
The show 'Maybe Happy Ending' has been a significant success, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for its original Oliver, Harry Criss. Criss, who is of Asian descent, originated the role on Broadway following the show's Asian-led run in Seoul.
As the show continues its journey onstage, the creators and cast are committed to ongoing conversations about representation and inclusivity in theatre. The search results do not contain information about the personalities who signed BD Wong's open letter regarding the portrayal of Andrew Barth Feldman in 'Maybe Happy Ending.' The dialogue surrounding this production serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and representation in the arts.
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