
After a successful opening night, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ continues this week at the Majestic Theatre until Sunday December 22. A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he has always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. ‘Dear Evan Hanen’ is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. Tickets start at $45 and are available online or at the box office. Showtimes Friday at 8p.m., Saturday at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m.
‘Dear Evan Hansen’ revolves around Evan Hansen (Stephen Christopher Anthony), a teenager with social anxiety whose therapist recommends he write letters to himself detailing what will be good about each new day. His mother Heidi (Jessica E. Sherman) suggests to him that one way to make friends at school is to ask people to sign his cast. On the other side of town, the Murphy family, consisting of Cynthia (Claire Rankin), Larry (Alessandro Costantini) and their children Zoe (Stephanie La Rochelle) and Connor (Noah Kieserman), start their day yelling at each other. Both mothers wonder how to best connect with their sons “Anybody Have a Map?” At school, Evan has a confrontation with Connor and Zoe, whom Evan has a crush on, apologizes for her brother’s behavior. He is left to ponder whether his destiny is to be an outcast and forever ignored “Waving Through a Window” and then writes himself a letter. In it, he mentions Zoe and after Connor accidentally finds it, he thinks Evan is making fun of him and storms out, taking the letter with him. A few days later, Connor kills himself and that letter is found in his pocket which leads Connor’s parents to think it is a suicide note. Evan lies and makes people believe he was best friends with Connor until one lies leads to others and it eventually becomes too big for him to handle.
The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson and a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. A musical for the modern era, the setting consists mostly of digital screens displaying social media feeds that change with the story. Its universal themes of family, mental illness and teen suicide resonates with the mostly younger audience and even though there are numerous dark moments, it encourages an open dialogue. The fighting and yelling gets too loud towards the end but it serves to spotlight just how harmful and traumatic such moments can be for everyone involved. Stephen Christopher Anthony’s excellent portrayal of Evan is a sobering reminder of the natural human desire to fit in. Show highlights include Evan’s “Waving Through a Window” and “You Will Be Found” when Evan gives a heartfelt speech, which goes viral, about his loneliness and “friendship” with Connor. Overall, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is an inspiring musical about life, family, love, acceptance and the lies people tell in a desperate attempt to belong.