Darren Criss has made history at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, becoming the first Asian American actor to win Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. He received the honor for his work as the robot Oliver in Maybe Happy Ending, a production that also took home six Tonys, cementing a remarkable night for the South Korean-originated play.
Criss’s performance as Oliver in Maybe Happy Ending sees him play a retired HelperBot who finds new purpose through a road trip, discovering life beyond service. He is set to continue his role in the musical until August 31.
During his acceptance speech, Criss offered a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Mia, acknowledging the immense support that made his Broadway return possible. The real hero about this, for this remarkable journey, is my wife, Mia, who took a massive swing on allowing me to do this and to allow this crazy upheaval in our life to make this logistically possible, and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theatre eight times a week, Criss said. He added, Mia, you’re the very pedestal that upholds the shiny, spinny bit in our lives, and your love and your support for me and our beautiful children, combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as Maybe Happy Ending has been and will always be, award enough.
He also extended his gratitude to his co-star Helen Shen, who made her Broadway debut in the play. I share this with one of the best leading actresses on a Broadway musical this season, Helen J. Shen. I am so proud of you, and your Broadway debut. This is where you belong, he stated. Criss also acknowledged his late father, Bill, and his brother Chuck as his greatest role models.
Maybe Happy Ending Triumphs on Broadway
The success of Maybe Happy Ending at the Tonys reflects its strong critical reception. The musical, which originated in Seoul in 2016, also secured awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book for a Musical for Will Aronson and Hue Park, as well as Best Scenic Design of a Musical, and Best Direction for a Musical for Michael Arden.
For Criss, a Golden Globe-winning actor best known for his role in the television series Glee and his portrayal in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, this Tony win further solidifies his presence in the theater world. He has a history on Broadway with stints in productions like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
The success of Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway adds to a growing list of South Korean cultural achievements in U.S. entertainment, following Oscar wins for Parasite and Emmy wins for Squid Game. Social media users in South Korea celebrated the Tonys recognition, with one post noting, “This feels like a dream come true for the Korean Wave. I’m just as thrilled as when Parasite won the Oscars, Squid Game won the Emmys, and Han Kang received the Nobel Prize.”
