Starring: Robert Markus, Jessica Sherman, Stephanie La Rochelle
Director: Michael Greif
Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book: Steven Levenson
Venue: Royal Alexandra Theatre
Run Information: Dear Evan Hansen concluded its run on July 21, 2019.
Rating: ★★★★½
The six-time Tony-winning musical offers a layered and poignant look at the ephemeral world we live in today.
Dear Evan Hansen, a new musical by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Steven Levenson, is a show that all teenagers need to see. It is rare for audience members to see themselves portrayed on stage in an honest and earnest way. But this smart and complex musical does all that and more; it portrays our generation with poignancy and serves a cautionary tale for the hyper-connected world we live in today. In essence, Dear Evan Hansen serves as a social commentary of our generation: a generation that is more interconnected than ever, yet is still longing to be seen.
The story revolves around Evan Hansen (Robert Markus), a high school senior who suffers from severe anxiety. When Evan’s schoolmate, Connor Murphy (Sean Patrick Dolan), commits suicide, Evan comforts Connor’s parents by concocting a lie and pretending that they were close friends. As the lie grows out of hand, Evan slowly gains more confidence and sees his anxiety disappear. He also forms a connection with the Murphys, who are able to give him a life that his mother (Jessica Sherman) could never provide.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s score overflows with tuneful songs that showcase the talents of the eight member ensemble. However, it is their lyrics that are truly magnificent. Each song is packed with literary devices and motifs that recur throughout the show, while straying clear of clichés that could easily seep into this show about teenagers.
Steven Levenson’s book exudes a contemporary feel, but perhaps too much so. While his script accurately captures the lives of teenagers today, some of the material feels dated (the show first premiered in 2015); we have moved on from the time when Facebook was the main social media platform and teenagers connected with their friends using email. But despite these small holes in the story, the overarching themes highlighted in the script still feel relevant today. And Levenson has the wonderful ability of creating fully believable, three-dimensional characters, even among the supporting roles. We get to see how Evan slowly builds more confidence as he steps out of isolation and connects with the Murphys. We also see a heartbreaking depiction of a single mother in Heidi Hansen, who is struggling to provide the best for her son while working to bring in enough money to support the two of them.
The effervescent story is told through a pitch-perfect production directed by Michael Greif, a seasoned Broadway director who has helmed shows such as Rent and Next to Normal. The choice to stage the show on a simple set, mainly made up of projection screens and a few furniture pieces, helps bring the story to the forefront and highlights the fast paced world that we live in today.
This production, which is a sit-down production at the beautiful Royal Alexandra Theatre, is brought to life by a talented Canadian cast. Despite being only two weeks into their run (the show doesn’t officially open until March 28), this cast has already found its rhythm and works together as a seamless unit. As Evan Hansen, Robert Markus gives an astounding performance in what must be one of the most challenging roles ever written (Zachary Noah Piser is the alternate Evan and plays the role during all matinée performances). He portrays Evan with pathos and is never caricaturish. Jessica Sherman is also a standout in the role of Heidi Hansen, Evan’s mother who works full time and is studying to become a paralegal. Her solo, “So Big, So Small”, is one of the show’s most powerful songs that shows her unwavering love for her son.
What makes Dear Evan Hansen so effective is how it paints a portrait of our generation today. At face value, the musical shows the tragedy of its central character and how he is only able to find a sense of belonging when he hides behind a false facade. But behind its cover, the story is really about the tragedy of our generation. In a way, we are all Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen shows us that even if we have a thousand followers on Instagram, all of us yearn for real, human connections. And this show does it in a way that is breathtakingly beautiful. Do not miss it.