Andrew Barth Feldman will replace Darren Criss in the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending.
Feldman, who starred in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, as well as the film No Hard Feelings, will play the role of Oliver starting Sept. 2 for a nine-week run through Nov. 1. Criss originated the role of Oliver, a retired robot living in South Korea, on Broadway and won a Tony Award for his portrayal, becoming the first Asian American actor to win best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical. Criss has been playing the role since October 2024.
Feldman will star opposite original cast Helen J. Shen, who he is dating, as well as original cast members Dez Duron and Marcus Choi, and understudies Steven Huynh, Hannah Kevitt, Daniel May, Christopher James Tamayo and Claire Kwon. The musical originated in South Korea, and this appears to be the first time the role would be played by a white actor.
“We fell in love with Andrew’s take on the role of Oliver when he appeared as the reader in Helen J Shen’s initial audition tape, so to have him join her onstage at the Belasco is indeed a special treat, and a pairing we feel certain audiences will love as much as we (and they) do. At its core, Maybe Happy Ending is a story about the longing for connection and the complexities of being human (and Helperbot, and Vegetable) — universal themes that transcend all backgrounds. We’re proud to continue embracing infinite and exciting possibilities in casting, and to showcase this role as one that welcomes different interpretations and lived experiences,” the musical’s creators Will Aronson and Hue Park and director Michael Arden said in a statement.
The musical, which follows Oliver and Claire, a robot played by Shen, as they seek out connection in their retirement. The show won the 2025 Tony Award for best musical, and took home five other trophies, including best score, best book and best director of a musical, as well as the Tony for Criss.
Feldman said, “I am so in love with this show and with Helen J Shen. I’ve been a plus one on this Broadway journey from the beginning, and this brilliant team and beautiful company have already become such a big part of my life. That they trust me with this role, and are giving me the ridiculous gift of sharing it with Helen, is an honor beyond words.”