Marcus Choi is one of four actors in the original Broadway cast of Maybe Happy Ending, now running at the Belasco Theatre. He plays a number of characters in the musical, including helperbot Oliver’s (played by Darren Criss) former owner James, his son Junseo, a motel clerk, a ferry worker, and more! This wide range is no doubt a result of his lengthy Broadway career leading up to this point. Here’s a look at the roles Choi has taken on over the past 2+ decades!
Flower Drum Song
Choi was in the original Broadway cast of the musical Flower Drum Song in the 2002-2003 season. He was in the ensemble and served as an understudy for the role of Chao, performing alongside Lea Solanga, Jose Llana, Telly Leung, and fellow Maybe Happy Ending cast member Daniel May!
Wicked
Later in 2003, the new witchy musical Wicked opened with none other than Marcus Choi a member of the ensemble! An iconic member of the original company, he also joined the Los Angeles company of Wicked a few years later in 2007.
Sweet Charity
In 2005, Choi joined the company of the Christina Applegate-led revival of Sweet Charity.
Allegiance
Approximately 10 years later, Choi appears in the Broadway company of Allegiance, a new musical based on George Takei’s own experiences with Japanese American internment camps during World War II. In this production, Choi reunites with some of his Flower Drum Song co-stars, including Solanga and Leung.
Miss Saigon
In 2017, Choi stepped into the revival of Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre. He was in the ensemble, also understudying the Engineer.
Maybe Happy Ending
Following a long stint on the national tour of Hamilton as George Washington, Choi has returned to the Broadway stage, originating a principal role in a new Broadway show for the first time. Choi is a grounding force as some of the few human characters in the show, putting his years of Broadway training to use.
As we at Broadway’s Best Shows celebrate the start of another wonderful year of theater, we want to take a moment to reflect on some of the Best Shows of 2024. So without further ado, here is Broadway’s Best Shows’ Best Shows of 2024 (in alphabetical order)…
All In
A series of hilarious short stories written by Simon Rich, performed by a rotating cast of some of the funniest people in show biz, with direction from Alex Timbers, and you get a wonderful evening of theater. Playing through February 16th at the Hudson Theatre.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball
One of the hottest tickets of the summer was the radically reimagined production of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous works at PAC NYC. Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch’s retelling of Cats within the context of ballroom culture was a revelation and has a well-deserved spot on this list.
Elf the Musical
The musical adaptation of the beloved movie played a limited engagement on Broadway through the holidays. The high energy, hilarious musical comedy with a delectable score from Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin was a festive standout of the year.
Mary Jane
MTC’s production of Mary Jane was a standout of the 2023-2024 season. With seamless direction by Anne Kauffman, Rachel McAdams gave one of the most emotional stirring performances of the year in her Broadway debut.
Maybe Happy Ending
The new musical that is taking Broadway by storm. Will Aronson and Hue Park’s Robot Romcom Adventure opened in November to resounding critical acclaim. Expertly directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending perfectly balances humor and heart in a way few Pixar movies even achieve.
Oh, Mary!
The new comedy from Cole Escola broke the box-office record in its first full week at the Lyceum theater. The hilarious, entirely fictional, portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln as a wannabe cabaret star was one of the funniest performances of the year and remains one of the hottest tickets of the season.
Our Town
From Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, the revival of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play that played at the Barrymore Theatre was a masterful reimagining of a timeless classic. With Jim Parsons as the iconic Stage Manager, the cast of 28 also featured Katie Holmes, Zoey Deutch, Billy Eugene Jones, Ephraim Sykes, Richard Thomas, Michelle Wilson, and more.
Table 17
The new play from playwright Douglas Lyons kicked off MCC’s 2024-2025 season. Starring Tony Award winner Kara Young, the romantic comedy about two exes reflecting on their relationship over drinks was the perfect addition to a stacked year of Off-Broadway plays.
The Outsiders
Dark, gritty, and full of gravel, the musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age novel is the reigning winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical. Directed by Danya Taymor, who won the Tony for Best Direction of Musical, The Outsiders is intimate and yet larger than life.
Ragtime
New York City Center’s production of the Flaherty & Ahrens musical as part of their Encores! Series was a resounding success, masterfully balancing the massive ensemble and orchestra, which created the most beautiful wall of sound emanating from the stage.
It is an absolutely packed spring ahead on Broadway, with 18 new plays and musicals set to open in March and April ahead of the cutoff date for this year’s Tony Awards!
Here is Broadway’s best guide to all the first previews, opening nights, and closing nights in the near term:
This circus-centric musical, based on the best-selling novel, combines emotional highs and lows of musical theater with the literal highs and lows of trapeze and aerial stunts. Starring Grant Gustin and Isabella McCalla, with direction by Jessica Stone and music by PigPen Theatre Co. For more information, click here.
The Who’s Tommy
Where: Nederlander Theatre
Opening: March 28
The rock opera that changed music history. The Who’s Tommy arrives on Broadway, pushing the boundaries of musical theater to the tunes of ‘Pinball Wizard,’ ‘Amazing Journey,’ and more iconic classic rock. For more information, click here.
The Outsiders
Where: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Opening: April 11
The all-American tale comes to the stage. Set in 1967 Tulsa, this thrilling musical portrays the battle between the Greasers and the affluent Socs. A story of friendship, family, and self-discovery, with a Roots Rock-infused score by Jamestown Revival. For more information, click here.
Lempicka
Where: Longacre Theatre
Opening: April 14
A sweeping musical portrait of Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka, who changed art and culture forever. Directed by Tony winner Rachel Chavkin and starring Eden Espinosa as the title artist. For more information, click here.
The Wiz
Where: Marquis Theatre
Opening: April 17
A reimagined version of the beloved musical, following Dorothy’s journey through Oz. Soulful music, vibrant characters, and a fresh twist on a classic tale starring Wayne Brady and Nichelle Lewis. For more information, click here.
Suffs
Where: Music Box Theatre
Opening: April 18
A captivating exploration of the women’s suffrage movement, set against a backdrop of courage and determination. Written by and starring Shaina Taub, this historical retelling is transferring to Broadway following its sold-out run at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater (sounds familiar…). For more information, click here.
Stereophonic
Where: John Golden Theatre
Opening: April 19
Closing: July 7
Blending song and story in a totally new way, Stereophonic by David Adjmi chronicles the making of our central band’s new album. Very Fleetwood Mac/Daisy Jones & The Six-coded, the play is every music lover’s dream. A limited engagement, so catch it while you can! For more information, click here.
Hell’s Kitchen
Where: Shubert Theatre
Opening: April 20
A gritty, intense semi-autobiographical musical set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, written by one of our biggest pop stars. Exploring loyalty, betrayal, and survival, Alicia Keys combines her hits with new music to tell her own story, in her own words. For more information, click here.
Cabaret
Where: August Wilson Theatre
Opening: April 21
The iconic Kander & Ebb musical set in pre-World War II Berlin, featuring memorable songs and captivating characters, is back on Broadway ten years after its latest revival. Starring Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee reviving the role following its run across the pond, Gayle Rakin joins as Sally Bowles for the Broadway transfer. For more information, click here.
The Heart of Rock and Roll
Where: James Earl Jones Theatre
Opening: April 22
A high-energy celebration of rock music, love, and chasing dreams, this brand new musical features the music of Huey Lewis and the News. For more information, click here.
Patriots
Where: Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Opening: April 22
Closing: June 23
Set in post-Soviet Russia, this history play portrays the power struggle between billionaire Boris Berezovsky and the rising politician Vladimir Putin. Tony and Emmy Award nominee Michael Stuhlbarg stars as Berezovsky, with direction by Rupert Goold. For more information, click here.
Mary Jane
Where: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Opening: April 23
Closing: June 2
Academy Award nominee Rachel McAdams leads this compassionate story of a single mother facing impossible family circumstances. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, it explores inner strength, friendship, and unflagging optimism. For more information, click here.
Uncle Vanya
Where: Vivian Beaumont Theater
Opening: April 24
Closing: June 16
Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece comes back to life in this new adaptation from Heidi Schreck, starring Steve Carrell alongside a who’s who of top-notch Broadway talent. It delves into unrequited love, aging, and disappointment. For more information, click here.
The Great Gatsby
Where: Broadway Theatre
Opening: April 25
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, this new musical features music and lyrics by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, and stars Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada. Follow the impassioned tale of eccentric millionaire Jay Gatsby and his tragic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan. For more information, click here.
Mother Play
Where: Hayes Theater
Opening: April 25
Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel brings her latest to Broadway in a new production for the non-profit Second Stage. The memory play stars Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons, and Celia Keenan-Bolger for this limited run. For more information, click here.
