Rating: ★★★★★
Cast: Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, Marcus Choi, Dez Duron, Arden Cho, Young Mazino and Jim Kaplan
Can robots fall in love...? In Maybe Happy Ending, two outdated 'HelperBots' in Seoul embark on a journey of connection, adventure, and unexpected romance.
Starring Emmy winner Darren Criss (Glee) and rising star Helen J. Shen, this dazzling new musical blends heart, humor, and breathtaking visuals into an unforgettable theatrical experience.
There's something so oneiric about the recently released cast recording of Maybe Happy Ending, that no one could blame you for mistaking it with a dream. The good news is, you are wide awake and this delightfully orchestrated jazzy album with a modern twist is now available in all streaming platforms.
I fell in love with the show when I had the chance to catch it on Broadway, but being able to sit with each track is a pleasure only matched by seeing the show on stage. Darren Criss' charm translates perfectly to the recording and reminds us why he is one of the shining stars of this generation of performers.
The revelation is, of course, Helen J Shen's ability to inflect the witty humour they displayed on stage to the recording too.
This album has more than one song I see becoming a new favourite audition sample, and with reason: from the harmonies, to the possibilities it offers in terms of performance, it's a perfect marriage of an actor's talents which are clearly put on display in duets like Where You Belong, and my personal favourite: The Rainy Day We Met.
This review wouldn't be complete without highlighting the wonderful Dez Duron, whose songs bookmark the chapters of the tremendous journey the album takes us on.
Dreamy, sweet, heartbreaking and uplifting, this recording will transport you to Jeju Island and back, and make you discover a love unlike any other.
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