Broadway introduces a new kind of science fiction
On September 29, Tony-award winning Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending is coming to the Peace Center as part of its North American tour.
Set in Seoul, South Korea, in the not-so-far future, Maybe Happy Ending tells the story of two abandoned Helperbots, Claire and Oliver, logging out of their lonely days of robot retirement to embark on a journey to Jeju Island in search of Oliver’s previous owner. Despite their mechanical hearts and better judgment, the sparks fly and they begin to fall in love.
The musical was co-written by former university classmates Will Aronson and Hue Park. Though the original draft was written in English, the Korean language version was the first to debut in 2016. The English language version finally made it to Broadway in 2024.
Maybe Happy Ending is unique in that it explores very human themes through non-human subjects. We find ourselves relating to a robot as we watch Oliver go through the motions of his monotonous days or relive Claire’s painful past memories of her owners. We also get a glimpse of how over-reliance on technology may impact our communities and lead to isolation, noticing how few humans are around in the once bustling metropolis of Seoul.
The musical has also made Korean theater accessible to American audiences and provided an opportunity for more diversity in casting. While there are some differences in the plot and musical numbers between the Korean and English versions, the heart of the story remains the same and the universal experiences serve as a bridge between South Korea and the United States.
Intentionality in set design is a key component of how a show is received. Maybe Happy Ending’s set designer Dane Laffrey shares in an interview with Forbes how he artfully grounds futuristic sci-fi elements in more tangible elements to acclimate and immerse the present-day audience. For example, Claire and Oliver’s apartments are relatively plain, with certain decorations (or lack thereof) cueing into their personalities. Meanwhile, the clean and rounded curves of the walls and windows are doused in neon blue and purple lights, echoing what we usually perceive as ultra-modern design.
In an interview with Playbill, costume designer Clint Ramos describes how the show’s costumes were designed with a similar mindset. Instead of the pristine, utilitarian styles we may associate with sci-fi costumes, Claire and Oliver’s outfits have retro sensibilities. Claire wears a long, mustard pleated skirt and thick blue headband while Oliver dons a crisp white button-down and bright blue slacks. Their simple yet kitschy attire serves to differentiate them from the more relaxed styles of the humans.
The physical elements of set and costume are transportive, but also serve as reminders that while human characters are lacking in the show, Claire and Oliver are still just robots in a human world.
Greenville, SC is Maybe Happy Ending’s third stop on tour. See the show Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 2 at 8:00 p.m., Oct. 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
