Helen J. Shen is speaking out in response to the controversy over her real-life boyfriend Andrew Barth Feldman being cast as the new lead alongside her in Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway.
Fans of the show have criticized the casting of a white actor in a show that takes place in Seoul, South Korea. Many feel that the role of Oliver, originated by Darren Criss, should be played by a member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Darren will leave the show on August 31 and it was recently announced that Andrew will replace him for a nine-week engagement. He and Helen have been dating for years and he actually helped her make her audition video!
Maybe Happy Ending is the story of two abandoned robots who go on an adventure together.
So, what did Helen say?
Keep reading to find out more…
“I’ve been struggling to hold multiple truths within me that seem to contradict. I think that is an objectively hard thing to do, but I do think we’re called to do that in this moment,” Helen began.
She continued, “I acknowledge that we can’t control how the show is received and the impact that it has had. The vacuum of A/PI stories that don’t center around pain or tropes wanted to be filled by our show from our community. I have and continue to be extremely proud to look the way I do and to co-lead this Broadway show. I know the hurt that people feel because growing up, I would have found a beacon of hope in seeing our show on tv on the Tony Awards. A part of me is mourning that along with the community.”
“This has been an immensely challenging moment within my home with Andrew, and in this building filled with A/PI folks to say the least. I don’t know what’s forward, but to have this opportunity to play opposite my favorite actor in the world for 9 weeks, who happens to be PERFECT for the role is a huge moment of joy for me. Every perspective on this situation contains truth,” she added.
Read the full statement below!