Ten years on from its debut this modern and original musical has garnered a dedicated following – and an incredibly talented cast.
Dear Evan Hansen is the tale of a socially awkward, anxious, American teenager who first fumbles into and then embraces a deceit, when a fellow high school student dies.
It explores issues around mental health and the wildfire nature of the internet, with its ability for a lie to travel the globe while the truth puts its boots on. I’m not sure whether it is ironic or cynical that some of the performers in this Nottingham Playhouse-produced revival were found on TikTok.
Regardless, the cast at this opening night performance at Norwich Theatre Royal were impressive, especially Ryan Kopel, who flustered, fidgeted, and found tremendous voice as the titular troubled teen.
Killian Thomas Lefevre shows range as Connor Murphy, shifting from unstable misanthrope to comic sparring partner, as he first terrorises his family and Evan, and then clowns through Evan and Jared’s deliberate misrememberings of him. His physicality in Sincerely, Me is a delight.
Tom Dickerson as Evan’s churlish sidekick Jared also maxes out the laughs, with strong supporting performances from Lauren Conroy as Zoe and Olivia-Faith Kamau standing in as Alana.
Morgan Large’s design is slick and impressive, with a simple but transformative set and judicious use of video to emphasise key moments.
The challenge for me – but not it seems most of the audience eagerly giving a standing ovation – is Steven Levenson’s book and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s music and lyrics.
The impressive performances and spectacle disguise some problematic plotting, where a keenness to emphasise the positive and likeable aspects of Evan’s character leads to an unlikely resolution, that minimises both his transgressions and those of Jared and Alana.
The scoring is, despite the band’s fine efforts, fairly forgettable, with grandiose swellings offering the false appearance of substance. Big number You Will Be Found offers the hint of something interesting, with chords resembling a funeral march at it’s beginning, but that symbolic quirk dissipates all too quickly as something more formulaic kicks in.
If you’re happy to get swept along in the stellar performances and the good intentions there is a show to enjoy here, but just don’t look too hard at the darker, more difficult, story lurking underneath.
- Dear Even Hansen continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 17 May 2025, then touring
