Maybe Happy Ending

 Maybe Happy Ending
Belasco Theatre
April 14, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Maybe Hapy Ending

Maybe Happy Ending is an endearing story about the discovery of love.  Will Aronson’s score is light and charming.  The book and lyrics, by Will Aronson and Hue Park, are witty and wonderful.  The characters are robots, and their sense of humor, though unrealized by them, is crips and sharp.  Director Michael Arden brings every element of this experience together perfectly.  Dane Laffrey’s scenic and video design combine with Ben Stanton’s lighting to enhance the storytelling and draw the audience into this unique and heartwarming story. 

Oliver (played by understudy Christopher James Tamayo) is perfectly content living alone in his room.  He is a helper-bot, waiting for his owner, James (played by Marcus Choi) to come and get him.  Oliver listens to James’ jazz records and talks with his plant, HwaBoon.  There is an unexpected knock on the door, as Claire (played by Claire Kwon), a retired helper-bot from across the hall, needs assistance.  She is having a problem with her charger, and her battery is running low.  Oliver reluctantly opens the door and lets her in.  He is a Model 3.  She is a Model 5.  They are built differently, but they are both abandoned and alone. 

Photo courtesy of Maybe Happy Ending

These two helper-bots embark on a journey that takes them to a place they never knew they could go.  Christopher James Tamayo and Claire Kwon authentically discover it for the first time as Oliver and Claire.  Their chemistry, timing, and physicality are magnificent.  Mr. Tamayo portrays Oliver as quirky and stand-offish, while Ms. Kwon’s Claire is aware and direct.  They are as different as their model numbers describe, yet when they unite, it is pure magic. 

Photo courtesy of Maybe Happy Ending

Marcus Choi plays James and Junseo (James’ son).  He is genuine and personable in these roles.  Dez Duron plays Gil Brentley, a mysterious crooner, who appears at unforeseen times and mesmerizes with his silky tones.  

Maybe Happy Ending won six 2025 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.  It is a one-of-a-kind production with endearing characters and a touching message.  Go see it!  It is playing at the Belasco Theatre. 

Domenick Danza

Queen of Versailles

 Queen of Versailles
St. James Theatre
October 29, 2025

Photo courtesy of Queen of Versailles

The Queen of Versailles is a strikingly dark tale of wanting more and never getting enough.  Based on the documentary film of the same title, it tells the story of Jackie and David Siegel.  The music, by Stephen Schwartz, captures the essence of the characters and environment.  His lyrics illuminate that fine line between need and greed, which grows wider as the story progresses.  Lindsey Ferrentino’s book tells the callous story of these characters, where they came from and what drives them.  Director Michael Arden focuses this cast on deliberately displaying their truths, no matter how self-centered they might be, making this musical a bleak and truthful telling of the state of our present society.  

Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel
Photo courtesy of Queen of Versailles

Jackie (played by Kristin Chenoweth) is building the largest home in America.  It is designed to replicate the Palace of Versailles, and she will be Queen.  Her husband, David (played by F. Murray Abraham) made his billions by selling time shares in Florida.  When they meet, Jackie is a single mother.  She vows to give her daughter everything she could imagine.  After marrying David, Jackie is able to do that.  As her daughter, Victoria (played by Nina White), grows up, she is satisfied with having less.  This does not stop Jackie, who is unaware of anyone but herself.  When the stock market crashes, they lose everything.  David puts Versailles up for sale, even though it is still under construction.  Jackie refuses to accept this, and ends up sacrificing more than she expected in order to get it back.

Photo courtesy of Queen of Versailles

Kristin Chenoweth does a remarkable job in the role of Jackie.  The character has no redeeming qualities, yet Ms. Chenoweth gets the audience on her side.  She draws them into Jackie’s dreams of wealth and power, and makes them believe she deserves it all.  She and F. Murray Abraham are excellent together.  Their marriage is a mutually beneficial partnership.  They are in it for the long haul.  The relationship is clear and resilient, yet not based on love or passion.

Nina White is riveting as Victoria.  She grapples with the family’s wealth and pretension, while longing for her mother’s love and acceptance.  She has two of the strongest songs in the score (“Pretty Wins” and “Book of Random”) and delivers them both with a dark and unapologetic understanding of reality.  Her performance is evenly matched by Tatum Grace Hopkins, who plays her cousin, Jonquil.  There is animosity between them when they first meet.  Jonquil is dazzled by the family’s wealth.  When tragedy strikes, the two of them bond.  It is a genuine and touching moment.

Melody Butiu plays Sofia, the nanny.  The complexity of this character is found in her need to work for this family and her desire to return to the Philippines to be with her children.  Ms.  Butiu beautifully layers her performance to give sudden and honest glimpses into her loss and need. 

Pablo David Laucerica & Kristin Chenoweth
Photo courtesy of Queen of Versailles

There are excellent performances by Stephen DeRosa, Greg Hildreth, Isabel Keating, and a very strong ensemble.  The most potent scenes take place in the Palace of Versailles with Louie XIV (played by Pablo David Laucerica), Marie Antoinette (played by Cassondra James), and their full court.  The parallels of the characters and events are perfectly drawn.  It is a stark warning about our present political and economic situation.  The message is vital, yet extremely uncomfortable to sit though.

The Queen of Versailles is playing at the St. James Theatre.  It is a stunning musical with a bleak theme told through a shamefully honest perspective.

Domenick Danza

Parade

 Parade
New York City Center
Annual Gala Presentation
November 3, 2022 

Photos courtesy of New York City Center

The New York City Center Annual Gala Presentation of Parade is flawless.  Jason Robert Brown magnificently conducts his lavish score, passionately depicting a distinctive setting and bringing to life vibrant characters.  Alfred Uhry’s 1998 book shines bright in the light of our present day sensitivities.  Director Michael Arden stages the production on a simple unit set.  The action continually move, building dramatically to reveal the truth, not only for the main characters, but for the beliefs of the people of Georgia.

Leo Frank (played by Ben Platt) is transplanted to Marietta, Georgia when his wife’s uncle offers him a job.  Leo is a Jew from Brooklyn.  His wife, Lucille (played by Micaela Diamond) is a Jew from Georgia.  They were raised in the same faith, but it’s as if they are from different lands.  Leo feels out of place in Marietta, and Lucille wants him to slow down and enjoy the southern way of life, including the Memorial Day Parade, which celebrates the efforts of the Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War.  When the body of Mary Phagan, a 14 year old girl (played by Erin Rose Doyle) is found dead in the basement of Leo’s factory, his is arrested and found guilty of murder.  He is sentenced to death, yet continually maintains his innocence.  Lucille makes a strong appeal to Governor Slaton (played by Sean Allan Krill).  He investigates the testimony of the witnesses in Leo’s trial, and uncovers inconsistencies and lies.  He repeals Leo’s sentence to life in prison, but the good citizens of Marietta have another plan in mind.

Micaela Diamond & Ben Platt
Photo courtesy of New York City Center

Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond are brilliant as Leo and Lucille Frank.  Leo holds a conservative point of view of their roles in the marriage, therefore does not have much faith in his wife.  Lucille steps up to help Leo when all hope seems lost.  Ms. Diamond rises in that moment.  Her character defies her husband’s expectations.  Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond become united in these moments.  They achieve a genuine bond, which propels the story through to the end.  Jason Robert Brown’s songs in the second act for these two characters are passionate and visceral, reflecting the deepening of their relationship.  These songs soar with emotion, as Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond voices blend and fill the expansive City Center auditorium with joy and abandon.

Photo courtesy of New York City Center

The intimate story of Leo and Lucille Frank takes place within the value system of the old south, which includes the need to defend that way of life at all cost.  This production will make you stop and realize how little we have progressed in the past decades, and how vital it is to continue to push forward.  

Jason Robert Brown’s score requires a large cast of superb voices in order to be performed successfully.  This cast exceeds all expectation, delivering brilliance throughout the show.   

Parade is playing at City Center through November 6.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza