Maybe Happy Ending is a wonderful Broadway show that has just undergone a major casting change in terms of who is now playing its female lead. Eulalie Magazine was lucky to be there for the last show that Hannah Kevitt played at the Belasco Theatre in New York City, where the actress simply shone bright for her final performance, playing Claire, a robot who is losing her charge in Seoul.
While the part of Claire was just taken over by the-said-to-be-great Savy Jackson, it was one emotional experience for the audience to see Kevitt’s last hurrah in the juicy role she has played in the show. This musical features the story of Claire and Oliver (Zachary Noah Piser), two next door neighbor “helperbots” who befriend one another and learn the meaning of human love while on a trip to see Oliver’s owner, James (Marcus Choi).
Oliver is waiting for a message from his owner daily as the mail comes regularly right as the story opens. Claire knocks on the door, looking to charge her battery. She needs a charger and fast.
While Oliver is quick to assist her, Claire’s persistence in asking questions leads to a conversation or two between these robots, which further leads to some thought-provoking revelations as to what makes one human, the possibility of learning human-like qualities as a robot, and the need for change to feel complete, whether you are human or a helperbot.
Maybe Happy Ending goes deep inside the past regarding the owners of these helperbots. There were codes given to at least one of these two lead characters to successfully shut down, should the case arise where that may need to happen.
This show’s plot revolves around a trip to see James where Claire and Oliver pack their suitcases and drive to a ferry that would take them to Jeju Island, which is near the home where Oliver’s owner resides. Complete with a stop at a sex motel, Claire and Oliver learn about the human condition through actually falling in love, even though they are not human.
This show is great for philosophy connoisseurs. It asks the question of whether or not a robot can feel something even though they are just programmed to be simple, yet complex, machines.
Hannah Kevitt gave this show so much heart through her portrayal of Claire. Complete with her headband, Claire’s pink room helps define her personality, and she takes that good nature she possesses on the road with the inquisitive Oliver by her side.
There is magic happening on stage in so many ways during Maybe Happy Ending, and part of it is due to the turn that Zachary Noah Piser puts into the show as well. This is more than just Kevitt’s character’s show, it is Piser’s as well.
Piser defines Oliver as a smart, but too by-the-book, robot, who needs to loosen up. Claire teaches him how to do that.
This show reaches some heart-wrenching revelations when James actually appears in the show close to the climax, and Choi does his main role in the play justice with a commanding supporting performance.
This show is a tearjerker in every way possible. It’s hard not to discover the love these two helperbots form along with the characters. That love is growing between the two characters in this show one step at a time.
One doesn’t expect to become so emotionally invested in a show about robots, but in Maybe Happy Ending, it works out that way. Oliver and Claire become a loyal and loving couple, whether they’re really human (they’re not) or they were programmed by humans (they were).
One of the show’s greatest strengths is pulling the viewer into the complex material the musical presents. Both main characters actually have that beautiful pizzazz that is necessary to keep the audience fully invested in the storyline.
This is a musical that warms the heart and touches the soul through the emotions that the robots experience for the first time in their existence.
Maybe Happy Ending is the best show on Broadway for those who want to know what it’s like to discover love in a pure and emotionally moving way. These characters in the musical are innocent, and don’t wish any harm on one another. They want to experience life in ways some human beings fail to.
Actually experiencing the joys in everyday life is exactly what happens to Oliver and Claire in this production. While Kevitt has said “goodbye” to the production for now, the role of Claire is expected to be played equally as well by Savy Jackson.
Taking away the great work of Kevitt, there is still so much beauty in this show. Luminous production design and costumes on top of emotionally challenging ideas are all captured perfectly on-stage here.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not crying at least some tears at the show’s difficult, but satisfying, conclusion. Maybe it is a happy ending or maybe it’s a sad ending, but this show is just imaginative fun that tugs at the heart in new, exciting and creative ways. It’s a must-see.
Maybe Happy Ending is now playing at the Belasco Theatre in New York City with Savy Jackson now taking over the role of Claire for Hannah Kevitt.
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.