Broadway’s Unlikely Hit: "Maybe Happy Ending" Defies Odds to Win Six Tony Awards
In a stunning turn of events, the small-scale musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has emerged as a major winner at the 2025 Tony Awards, taking home six prestigious awards, including Best New Musical. The show’s success is all the more remarkable given its tumultuous journey to the Great White Way.
According to an in-depth report by The New York Times, the musical’s star, Darren Criss, who won his first Tony for playing Oliver, an outdated helperbot, revealed that the show’s early stages were marked by uncertainty. "We didn’t know if this show would even open," Criss said. "This was definitely the little show that could." Criss, an Emmy winner and "Glee" alumnus, is also a member of the show’s producing team.
The show’s lead producers, Jeffrey Richards and Hunter Arnold, postponed the first performance by a month last summer, citing supply chain issues. However, many industry insiders believed that this was a cover story to hide financial problems. The production temporarily laid off workers, refunded tickets for the month of canceled performances, and contended with a TikTok theater influencer’s suggestion that the musical might not open.
As The New York Times reports, some investors began to peel away, not wanting to put their money into a seemingly sinking ship. "We lost a lot of investors because of that TikTok," Arnold said. "No investor wants to write a check and think that they’re not even going to get to see the show." By the time "Maybe Happy Ending" finally started previews on October 16, it had sold just $450,000 worth of tickets – woefully low for a new Broadway musical.
The show’s early struggles continued as it hemorrhaged money through previews, with weekly grosses under $300,000, well below its $765,000 weekly running costs. The 973-seat Belasco Theater was about 20 percent empty, and the show’s average ticket price had dropped to a disastrously low $45.
However, things began to turn around after the show opened on November 12, with overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. The New York Times described the show as "Ravishing," while The Washington Post called it "A darling gem." As word-of-mouth spread, the show’s grosses began to rise, and by the week after opening, it had grossed $591,000. Over the Christmas holiday, it had its first $1 million week, and since then, its grosses have exceeded its running costs most weeks.
The show’s success has been attributed to its unique blend of indie pop, American jazz, and Broadway music, as well as its poignant exploration of isolation, memory, and love. The musical’s design, which uses automation and projections to advance the storytelling, has also been widely praised.
As reported by The New York Times, the show’s creative team, including director Michael Arden and writers Will Aronson and Hue Park, were overjoyed by the Tony Awards success. "You could feel the industry get behind it because it’s exactly the kind of theater that everybody in this business wants," said Dane Laffrey, the scenic designer. "It’s heartfelt, it’s original, it’s innovative – it’s all of the things that are scary and are risky but ultimately carry the most reward if you can stay the course."
The show’s Tony Awards success is likely to bring in more theatergoers, and while it’s still unclear if the show will turn a profit on Broadway, the recognition is a significant boost. As The New York Times notes, only "& Juliet" has made a profit on Broadway over the past three seasons, but with the Tony Awards behind it, "Maybe Happy Ending" may just prove to be the 21st-century miracle on 44th Street.
The musical’s history is a fascinating one, with its origins dating back to 2014 when Park had the idea that became "Maybe Happy Ending" while sitting in a Brooklyn coffee shop. The show’s first commercial production was in Seoul in 2016, and later that year, the writers presented the English-language version in New York, where Richards saw it and was captivated by its "sheer inventiveness."
With a binational songwriting team and a unique blend of music and design, "Maybe Happy Ending" is a true Broadway success story. As the show continues to run at the Belasco Theater, it’s clear that this small-scale musical has made a big impact on the Great White Way.
The show’s producers and creative team are thrilled with the recognition, and it’s clear that the Tony Awards are a testament to the show’s hard work and dedication. As The New York Times reports, the show’s success is a rare example of a new musical achieving critical and commercial success on Broadway. With its innovative storytelling, memorable music, and poignant themes, "Maybe Happy Ending" is a must-see for theatergoers.
The musical’s impact extends beyond the stage, with its themes of isolation and connection resonating with audiences. As The New York Times notes, the show’s exploration of technology and human connection is both timely and timeless. With its universal themes and innovative storytelling, "Maybe Happy Ending" is a show that will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.
