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Darren Criss has officially become a member of Broadway's top clique; he's now a Tony Award winner. On Sunday evening, the Glee veteran won his first Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Maybe Happy Ending. The victory is a milestone in Darren Criss's diverse career, which includes both TV and theater awards.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech at the 78th Tony Awards, Darren Criss expressed gratitude not only to his cast and creative team but also to his wife, Mia, for making his Broadway return possible.
Referencing her unwavering support in raising their young children while he performed eight shows a week at the Belasco Theatre, he said:
“You are the very pedestal that upholds the shiny spinny bit in our lives."
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His shoutout to co-star Helen J. Shen, who made her Broadway debut alongside him, highlighted the deep camaraderie behind the production’s success.
Darren Criss wins his first Tony Award
Darren’s Tony win is not just another trophy on the shelf; it’s a full-circle moment for the actor. He began his career in musical theater before gaining fame through the hit TV series Glee.
Known for his dynamic vocals and electric stage presence, Darren brought both vulnerability and charm to the role of Oliver. The character of Oliver is a humanoid robot navigating complex emotions in Maybe Happy Ending.
This recognition places Darren Criss into a group of actors who have mastered television, music, and now Broadway's pinnacle award. Already a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner for his performance as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Criss now has another notch to put on his belt with a Tony.
According to a report by Theatre Mania, he also became the first Asian American actor to be awarded in this category, marking a milestone both in his own life and in theater representation.
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What is Maybe Happy Ending about?
Maybe Happy Ending is an original musical that combines science fiction with ageless themes of love and loss. Set in a future Seoul, the play follows two helper-bots, Oliver and Claire, who start developing a human-like connection that defies their programmed constraints.
As they explore companionship, memory, and mortality, the musical offers a deeply poignant meditation on what it means to connect, even in a world increasingly mediated by technology.
Originally premiering in Seoul in 2016, Maybe Happy Ending was created by Korean writer Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson. Directed by Kim Dong-yeon, the show was a major hit in Korea and won multiple awards for its innovative score, heartfelt lyrics, and emotionally grounded narrative.
When it made its Broadway debut in 2024, the production arrived with a wave of international acclaim, and its momentum only grew. As per a report by The New York Times, at the 2025 Tony Awards, the musical tied for the most nominations of the evening, winning 6 awards. This includes Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.
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Darren Criss' portrayal of Oliver was particularly singled out in reviews for its sincerity and emotional complexity, making his Tony win a widely celebrated moment in the theater world.
His path to this role was years in the making. In a recent Roundtable interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that Maybe Happy Ending first came to him in 2018, but delays caused by the pandemic and industry strikes postponed the production.
“The stars aligned,” he said.
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As of June 2025, Darren Criss is not only a Tony Award winner but also an associate producer on Maybe Happy Ending, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical.
