Claire Kwon.
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Maybe Happy Ending” tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), “Maybe Happy Ending” has been called “one of the best musicals in years” (USA Today) and even “The best musical in eons!” (Observer). Don’t miss the totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they’re not.
CLAIRE KWON (Claire) is beyond ecstatic to be leading Maybe Happy Ending’s first National Tour! Broadway: Maybe Happy Ending (Claire, standby), Almost Famous (Band-Aids/Swing). Regional: The Family Album (La Jolla Playhouse), Galileo (Berkeley Rep), Life After (Goodman). Northwestern ’22! Represented by Soffer Entertainment; Much love to my friends, Geoff, and the MHE Fam! Always for my family.
You previously served as the standby for Claire in the Broadway production of “Maybe Happy Ending.” How did you feel when you found out you’d be playing Claire in the First National Tour, and what was that moment like?
I was absolutely ecstatic! Even before I joined the company, I was such a big fan of the heart, wit, and unexpected magic of this show. To then join the company, have the opportunity to take over the role on Broadway (for a “residency”), and then subsequently be offered to lead the First National Tour was definitely a dream come true. Even though it sounds like a step-wise experience, it really all came as a surprise to me. I remember being on the street on my way to the theater and stopping in my tracks, completely baffled that I was given the opportunity for the tour. Gratefully, throughout my time as a standby, I was able to learn, appreciate, and marinate on all the beautiful, intricate details of this wonderful story and fall in love with it every day. To now be able to share this gift across the country feels like I have the best secret in the world and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it!
You double-majored in theatre and international studies at Northwestern University and booked your Broadway debut just months after graduation. How did your time at Northwestern prepare you for your professional career, and how did it feel to book such a major credit so soon after graduating?
Northwestern taught me that oftentimes, the best things emerge from intersections and unexpected challenges. The multidisciplinary focus from my studies and my peers always inspired me, and I sought to bring my rigor and passion into whatever I ended up doing post-grad. When I booked Broadway so quickly after graduating, it was equally shocking and exciting. My first show, “Almost Famous,” was incredible and also short-lived. It opened in Fall 2022, right after the height of the pandemic, and closed only a few months after. It was definitely a difficult period, but I learned that just like at NU, community was a bedrock I could build a foundation on. I met so many amazing people in NYC and participated in countless new musical works, artistic experiences, and job opportunities, all of which pushed me to grow, challenged my existing expectations, and eventually led me to the place I am proud to be now.
Tell me about your character, Claire. What aspects of her journey do you most relate to, and what has your creative process of bringing her to life been like?
Claire is what we call in the “Maybe Happy Ending” universe a “HelperBot Model 5.” She is an advanced humanoid robot who is now somewhat lovingly “retired” by her previous human owner. She starts off the story quite cynical, a realist, who is grappling with her limited and quickly deteriorating battery life. She then meets Oliver, a HelperBot Model 3, and somehow rediscovers this energy, curiosity, and spark that she previously thought was gone for good. I personally love the fact that Claire has a side to her that is rough around the edges, sassy, and weathered by the world. I definitely relate to her moxie and this image of her “having cowboy boots on,” thinking she knows everything there is to know about people. I also relate to her journey of being surprised by love and the hilariously abrupt joy that comes from caring about another person for the first time in that specific way. I think mentally and emotionally, I’ve always felt deeply connected to Claire and her journey in the show. A great aspect of the creative process for me has been the physical. Although in our production we avoid making our Oliver and Claire overly robotic, we often contemplate the economy of movement, and I find it extremely helpful to specify the intentions for each move she makes.
Is there a particular song or scene in the show that is especially meaningful for you to perform?
“Never Fly Away” is always a little extra special because to me. It feels like talking to the spark of life itself. Oliver and Claire are robots experiencing speaking to a firefly in a jar for the first time. It is so whimsical and yet, so deep and melancholic. I love how precious the moment feels, especially when I can feel the audience holding their breath with us.
Why should audiences come see “Maybe Happy Ending,” and what do you hope they take away from the show?
“Maybe Happy Ending” is an instant classic that features stunning futuristic visuals, a sweeping orchestral score, and a simple, yet richly complex story that makes everyone lean in and remember the magic of humanity, connection, and love in the limited time we have. (And it’s funny!)
Running Time: One hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Recommended for ages 8 and up.
“Maybe Happy Ending” runs October 6-11, 2026 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Box Office Monday-Friday, 12-6 pm (with extended hours during performance days, 12-8pm) or go online.
