Tony-winning musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' sets 2027 Denver debut

A conflict between artificial intelligence and human emotion forms the core of 'Maybe Happy Ending,' a Tony Award-winning musical arriving in Denver next year. The production is scheduled to open at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in August 2027. It is one of the few original Broadway shows currently touring the city.

Cast members Steven Huynh and Claire Kwon recently previewed the production at the Broadway in Chicago concert. They brought a special prop from the stage to demonstrate the visual style of the show. Huynh, who plays a helperbot named Oliver, described the experience for local audiences as an adventure taken for the first time.

The story is set in Seoul, South Korea, in the year 2064. In this world, AI assistants have taken on physical human forms. Huynh compared the concept to familiar devices like Alexa, Echo, or Siri gaining flesh and blood.

The narrative follows two helperbots as they begin to feel emotions typically reserved for humans. Their journey covers love, grief, and joy. Kwon, who plays a character named Claire, noted that the themes have become increasingly relevant as AI technology advances in the real world.

"Something we have been talking a lot about is how timely this musical is. It talks about technology, but it also talks about humanity and what makes us human," Kwon said. Huynh agreed that the futuristic setting mirrors the growing presence of AI in daily life.

The cast members clarified that the musical is not a warning about technology taking over. Instead, they say it serves as a reminder of the connections and feelings that machines cannot replicate. Huynh said the characters discover what it is like to become human through these shared experiences.

Tickets for the Denver run are available for purchase at denvercenter.org. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts and CBS Colorado are partners for this production.