Will Aronson News

Helen J Shen has officially departed Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway, playing her final performance as “Claire” on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Check out video of her final curtain call and touching speeches here!

As the recipient of two Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical in the past three years, there’s no question that Michael Arden is at the top of his game. Between thrilling and inventive revivals of Parade and Once On This Island, and exciting new work like Maybe Happy Ending and the upcoming The Lost Boys, Arden has shown a remarkable ability to create theatrical magic. 

This week’s newsletter brings together stories of accountability, advocacy, and adaptation across the theatre world. We cover artists and organizations responding to public scrutiny, including Lauren Gunderson’s statement following her appearance in the Epstein files and the Washington Post’s elimination of its chief theater critic role. Elsewhere, new initiatives and events push forward, from Broadway Bares gearing up for its next benefit and Katharine Quinn launching a Broadway-focused marketing agency to Broadway showtunes finding new life on the ice. The issue also examines ongoing debates over access, transparency, and infrastructure, from Equity’s dispute with Spotlight in the UK to closed-door discussions about Portland’s Keller Auditorium.

We open this week with Colleen Dilenschneider’s look at the rise of localism and what it means for cultural organizations navigating tighter schedules and higher barriers to participation. On the awards front, key dates are set for the Tonys, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle, alongside a call for nominations for BroadwayWorld’s Stage Recording Awards. Elsewhere, we cover shifts in Broadway opening-night traditions, major benefit events, regional programming pauses, leadership changes, and a significant format change for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End.

Maybe Happy Ending stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen took the stage on Sunday during the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony to perform the title song from the hit musical. Check out their performance now.

Before the 2026 winner is announced on Sunday, February 1, take a listen to all five of the 2026 Grammy-nominated albums, including Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Gypsy, Just in Time, and Maybe Happy Ending. 

Inside, you’ll find practical guidance for performers, timely conversations about safety, labor, and financial realities on Broadway, and a celebration of the often-unsung artists who keep shows running. We also look beyond New York to regional theaters rethinking their futures, another Kennedy Center cancellation, and an international announcement bringing a popular screen property to the London stage.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 21, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

This week’s newsletter brings together stories of concrete action and forward momentum in theatre and dance. Highlights include Michael Sheen’s launch of a new national theatre for Wales and his starring role in its first production, New York State’s plan to preserve performing arts spaces, and major leadership appointments at Park Avenue Armory and The Public Theater. We also cover recognition for musical theatre creators Will Aronson and Hue Park, the launch of BroadwayWorld’s 2025 Stage Recording Awards, and the Next On Stage Season 6 finale. Rounding out the issue is a look at Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s relaunch and search for new leadership, underscoring themes of rebuilding, investment, and artistic ambition.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 15, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

The ASCAP Foundation has recognized musical theater writing duo Will Aronson and Hue Park, creators of the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award.

Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway has revealed the final performances for the two original Broadway leads: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. 

Northwest Children’s Theater will present an encore run of PETE THE CAT, the live rock musical based on the beloved children’s book series. The returning production features the original cast and creative team and will play at The Judy in downtown Portland.

Center Stage Records will release the original cast recording of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, the TheaterWorksUSA production based on Dav Pilkey’s book series. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen of the album with a new single, 'My Sister, Naomi,' Watch the video!

Darren Criss is back on stage in the hit musical Maybe Happy Ending, once again starring in his Tony Award-winning role of Oliver. On Monday, he joined TODAY with Jenna & Friends to discuss returning to the show, winning a Tony, and more. Watch the interview now.

92NY recently presented A New York Evening with MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, featuring a discussion with the show's team, and performances from stars Darren and Helen J Shen.

Watch new highlights of Maybe Happy Ending in Korea, including new videos of 'The World Within My Room,' 'First Time in Love,' and more. The cast features Kim Jae-bum as Oliver, Jeon Mi-do and Choi Soo-jin as Claire, and Ko Hoon-jeong as James.

Watch new video footage of Maybe Happy Ending in Korea, featuring Kim Jae-bum as Oliver, Jeon Mi-do and Choi Soo-jin as Claire, and Ko Hoon-jeong as James! The musical celebrates its 10th anniversary at Doosan Art Center, Yeonkang Hall.

Just in time for the theatrical release of Wicked: For Good, Tony winner Darren Criss partnered with Third Reprise for an 80s-style pop-rock cover of 'I'm Not That Girl,' originally sung by Elphaba in Wicked. Check it out now.

Go inside A New York Evening with MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. in new photos featuring the shows Tony-winning team including Will Aronson, Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, Marcus Choi, and Dez Duron.