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Moving away from the stage adaptations and revivals that seem to have dominated Broadway throughout the past few years, Maybe Happy Ending is a new musical romantic comedy starring Ryan Murphy darling Darren Criss alongside Helen J. Shen, who will make her Broadway debut.

Maybe Happy Ending is set to begin previews at the Belasco Theatre at 111 West 44th Street near Sixth Avenue on September 18 and officially open on October 17. No announcement has yet been made regarding ticket sales. 

Based in Seoul, the show was actually written in both Korean and English. The former version, which debuted back in 2016 at the DaeMyung Culture Factory in Seoul, won six Korean Musical Awards, including one for Best Musical. The English iteration of the production premiered in Atlanta during the 2019-2020 season but had yet to reach New York audiences.

Throughout all previous runs, Maybe Happy Ending was praised for its off-kilter yet fascinating plot.

In the show, Criss plays Oliver, a HelperBot 3, “a robot that has long been retired and considered obsolete,” according to an official synopsis. Living a happy, quiet life in his one-room apartment in Seoul, Oliver eventually mets his fellow HelperBot neighbor Claire (Shen) and the two embark on “a unique friendship, a surprising adventure, and maybe even…love?”

“I am so very happy to be joining the enchanting world of Maybe Happy Ending,” Criss said in an official statement. “I can’t wait for audiences to take part in this wonderfully original theatrical experience, and behold a story from a future that explores one of the most ancient questions of humanity- why love?”

American composer Will Aronson worked on the music for the show, with lyrics by Hue Park and a book by the both of them together. Tony Award winner Michael Arden of Parade and Once on this Island fame will direct the show, which will also feature The Voice’s Dez Duron’s Broadway debut. 

* This article was originally published here

Mega popular YouTube series Hot Ones is known “the show with hot questions and even hotter wings.” Sean Evans interviews celebrities while they try to eat incredibly spicy wings, but now he’ll be the one answering the questions during this fun event at The Paley Museum in midtown. 

“Hot Ones: A Spicy Evening with Sean Evans and the Hit YouTube Talk Show,” the latest PaleyLive program, promises a behind-the-scenes look at the smash internet sensation. See it on Tuesday, June 18. 

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If you haven’t seen Hot Ones, here’s how it works: Evans sits at a table with a celebrity and they talk while they eat progressively hotter wings. Stars have been known to curse and cry as the wings get hotter—and somehow Evans maintains his composure the entire time. Featured stars have included Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Hart, Conan O’Brien, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and more. 

So far, Hot Ones has produced more than 300 episodes since 2015, and viewers, well, eat them up. Hot Ones has racked up more than 27 billion minutes of views, making the series a true pop culture phenomenon. The show was even featured in a Saturday Night Live skit recently.

The Paley Museum event will include a sneak peek screening of an upcoming episode, followed by a conversation about the show’s secret sauce for success. In addition to Evans, other Hot Ones speakers include the show’s senior producer Domonique Burroughs and its creator Chris Schonberger.

“Hot Ones is an entertainment phenomenon that also serves as a perfect example of why YouTube continues to be a leading destination for viewers seeking the most buzz-worthy shows,” Maureen J. Reidy, The Paley Center for Media’s president and CEO, said in a press release. “We look forward to what promises to be a sizzling evening.”

This is the latest in a series of powerhouse programming at the Paley Museum this year, including a speech from comedy icons Kristen Wiig and Carol Burnett and an exhibit of costumes from The Masked Singer. PaleyLive programs are intended to offer entertainment and education with prominent names in media and television. 

Tickets for “Hot Ones: A Spicy Evening with Sean Evans and the Hit YouTube Talk Show” will go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 17 at noon. Tickets are on sale now for Paley President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Partner Members and to general members on Thursday, May 16 at noon. 

* This article was originally published here