Dear Evan Hansen, which is written by Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is a warm hug of a show wrapped in a delightful dosage of teenage angst, insecurities, and high school drama. Directed by Adam Penford, this production of the beloved musical really highlights the underlying theme of belonging, community and love, allowing these emotions to wash over the story in a careful but noticeable manner.
Evan Hansen, a severely socially awkward teenager, unintentionally finds himself at the centre of the aftermath of a recent fellow student suicide. Through a series of misunderstandings, poor choices, and creative editing, Evan becomes the late Connor Murphy's best friend, weaving a web of lies to keep everyone happy. Fabricating an entire history with Connor, Evan's rise to popularity, both at school and within the Murphy household, is instantaneous. However, when the truth of his deception and his own secrets resurface, Evan must face the truth and its consequences.
The musical uses Evan as a figurehead to denote the impact that a small decision can make, with every choice rippling through the lives of a hundred. Much like the "Butterfly Effect", Dear Evan Hansen brilliantly showcases the very real repercussions this can, and will, cause. Taking Evan's story to be a cautionary tale as well as an empathetic journey for the character makes this show relatable and recognisable for all ages, and will doubtlessly strike a chord. The musical pushes its core message - everyone matters and no one deserves to be overlooked or forgotten, and audiences are warmed by this outpouring of love and comfort.
The cast are each invididually excellent and form a truly outstanding team, with clear chemistry and friendship. They each help create a rich and complex world for the musical to thrive in, with strong characters, immense talent and undeniable chemistry. With varied characters, each with their own riveting storyline, or complicated relationships, the show enjoys the richness of multiple layered characters.
Ryan Kopel as Evan Hansen is a revelation, bringing endless charm, warmth, talent and love to the titular character. Kopel perfectly nails the adorkable nerves that often dictate Evan's social life, bringing the character to life with a refreshingly new take. Contrastingly, watching Kopel be paralysed with fear and guilt, and break down unable to even speak or look up, is truly heartwrenching and a testament to his performance. Kopel's Evan is unforgettable, with heavenly vocals that more than fill the large stage, yet remains intimate and close to the heart, in a touching and protective manner, making audiences ache alongside Evan. One cannot help but fall in love with this portrayal of Evan, and will for him to succeed despite knowing the inevitable truth. Kopel is a knockout performer, tackling this monumental character effortlessly and draws focus whenever he's on stage, which thankfully is most of the musical.
Alice Fearn as Heidi Hansen is a commanding stage presence, and proves once again why she is one of the best in the business. Although underused in the first act, Fearn's lack of stage presence allows her act two scenes to carry more weightage and leaves the audience waiting and willing for more. Fearn ensures that Heidi is well rounded, depicting her own struggles and spiralling as a parallel to that of Evan's. A powerhouse of a performer in Good for You, Fearn is also heart breaking in So Big/So Small and leaves the entire audience in tears with her performance.
Tom Dickerson delivers a show-stealing performance as Jared. Winningly funny, Dickerson brings a needed light hearted air and perspective into the show. Between his contagious laughter and literal rolling on the floor, Dickerson is an absolute riot on stage. Lauren Conroy demonstrates stunning vocals as Zoe Murphy, and conveys the slow chipping away at her barriers with a careful tenderness. Conroy has a wonderful stage presence, holding her own and provides Zoe with a relatable and sympathetic depth. Vivian Panka shines with her dynamic stage presence, easily switching between the high energy passionate performative sympathy to moments of hidden vulnerability, all with a heavy dosage of irony and hilarity. Panka particularly shines in the number Good for You, where she demonstrates impressive vocals.
Killian Thomas Lefevre renders a unique perspective of Connor Murphy, choosing to present himself as closed off and emotional, rather than the explosive teenager he's been painted to be by other students. Lefevre is more than capable of sustaining a solemn and introspective side of Connor in Evan's mind, as well as the wild and cocky side presented by Jared. Lefevre ensures that the audience sympathises with Connor. Helen Anker and Richard Hurst are both formidable as Cynthia and Larry Murphy, and are well cast. Anker brings a loving warmth to the emotional and hysterical Cynthia, whilst also serving as the most prominent reminder of the inevitable consequence of Evan's actions. Hurst is given his own moment to shine in To Break in a Glove and is quietly brilliant as the tough and regret-filled Larry.
The ensemble (Sonny Monoghan, Lara Beth-Sas, Will Forgrave, Daniel Forrester, Jessica Lim and Elise Zavou) is a new and welcome addition for this updated touring production, and helps Evan's world feel more authentic as the audience are given a front row seat to his struggles as an invisible outsider. Primarily used for scene changes and to portray the wider student population, the ensemble really makes a powerful impact during the ensemble numbers You Will Be Found and Good For You, where their presence finds new meanings in the already excellent lyrics.
The staging (Morgan Large) creates a wonderful blend of concrete and abstract, a functioning physical metaphor for how Evan's feeling, with its use of sliding window frames. These full length frames are often lit up, helping draw attention and create particularly impressive visual moments. The back wall of the stage is also a large screen that mostly adds in lighting and video projection. This is famously used to connect to countless strangers from the Internet (with pre-recorded videos sent in from an online participants). Large has also created ingenious set pieces, focusing only on the essentials for practical uses and efficient character understanding, quickly brought on by the ensemble. Large also serves as the musical's costumer designer and has surprisingly moved away from the trademark blue striped shirt. However, Large has still adopted references and homages to this pattern, Jared's and Connor's costumes both are eye-catching as well.
Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography is slick, allowing Evan to weave through the crowds without being noticed, whilst also ensuring he's always in the centre. Ensemble numbers are mesmerising to watch and perfectly match the growing momentum in each, and allow for Kopel to catapult off of to reach new heights, regards to his own performance and the production.
Matt Daw (Lighting design) has created some inspiring and gorgeous visual moments. Doing his best to recreate the flooding of sunlight for the orchard in For Forever, Kopel glows in this rich warm light with an angelic shine. Sincerely Me also has some demonstrably excellent moments of lighting. Tom Marshall (sound designer) keeps effects to a minimum, yet this grounds the musical in reality. Ravi Deepres (video projection design) recognises that social media plays a very large role in Dear Evan Hansen and has key scenes reflected or projected onto the screens. Most notably are during You Will Be Found, wherein Evan's speech goes viral and has thousands of reactions.
The songs, with musical direction by Michael Bradley, are extraordinary, some of the best musical theatre songs in recent times. With catchy and witty lyrics in Sincerely Me, to a sweet duet with Only Us, beautifully stirring ensemble numbers such as You Will Be Found, to the anguished Good for You and Requiem, the musical has something for everyone and will leave audiences with new favourite songs. Kopel's vocals are gorgeous and his rendition of Waving Through a Window, Words Fail and For Forever are so brilliant, one would sincerely want him to sing for forever.
Dear Evan Hansen is a musical of the times, allowing for the younger generation of theatre goers to relate to the troubles and tech savvy world of Evan, whilst also appreciating the adults in their lives more. This musical will leave you speechless and in tears, yet, with a heart brimming with love and warmth. You will be seen, you will be found and you will be welcomed to Dear Evan Hansen. It is currently playing at the Nottingham Playhouse until the 28th September before embarking on a UK tour. For more information on the UK tour, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Marc Brenner
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