I should mention right off the bat that I have seen Dear Evan Hansen before, in London, several years ago, and have to say that this version is far superior. From the performances to the staging, everything about this adaptation was phenomenal. It is not surprising that Dear Evan Hansen has become a modern classic, enjoying endless success as it is continues to tour across the country.
At the heart of the story is anxious teenager Evan (Ryan Kopel) who finds himself tangled up in a web of lies as he tries to offer comfort to the family of a recently deceased classmate, Connor (Will Forgrave). As other students come to learn about his and Connor’s picture-perfect friendship, which is a façade, Evan becomes further embroiled in the lie, desperately trying to avoid being found out whilst simultaneously trying to keep Connor’s memory alive.
The cast truly deliver across the board. Kopel might just be the best Evan I’ve seen, making his anxiety truly palpable and affecting. Every stumble and stammer feels lived-in, and he perfectly captures the complexities and quirks of the character. Equally, as Evan’s mother Heidi, Alice Fearn shines. Her interpretation of “So Big / So Small,” delivers a quiet, devastating punch late in the show and “Good for You” was one of the standout numbers.
The staging really leans into the digital era. Instead of tweets flooding the stage in an overwhelming fashion, it is video content. This gives a really human feel to the barrage of abuse that effects the Murphy family during act two and was a clever update to make the show feel as current and accurate as physically and digitally possible.
This is a musical that continues to divide audiences and critics alike, as it is very morally murky. What I liked about this take on it, is that it doesn’t force you to feel a certain way for Evan and his wrongdoings, instead allowing you to come to your own judgements about whether he deserves forgiveness. This is in part down to the excellent direction by Adam Penford, who has managed to make an already fantastic production even better.
Whether you’re a Dear Evan Hansen superfan or haven’t seen the musical before, go and see it at The Alexandra. You will not be disappointed.
You can see Dear Evan Hansen at The Alexandra until Saturday 21st June.
I love the songs in this show and had a great time when I saw it in London, but I really struggle with how easy Evan seems to be forgiven at the end. It's all a bit rushed after the truth comes out.