Dear Evan Hansen
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Steven Levenson
Direction by Michael Greif
Second Stage Theatre
-- and updated May 31 -- Show will open on Broadway next season
By Lauren Yarger
What's It All About?
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Steven Levenson
Direction by Michael Greif
Second Stage Theatre
-- and updated May 31 -- Show will open on Broadway next season
By Lauren Yarger
What's It All About?
The small bed on the platform center stage could belong to anyone of us – and depending on just how much we want to fit in and how much we crave the love of a family-- we just as easily could find ourselves making a similar bed and being forced to lie in it.
The human story of Dear Evan Hansen (book by Steven Levenson) music by Benj Paske and Justin Paul (A Christmas Story; Dogfight) has struck such a chord with audiences Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater, where the show has received numerous award nominations and already has won the Obie for Best Musical, that it will transfer to Broadway next winter. Besides the endearing story and moving score, the show’s charm can be credited to consummate direction by Michael Greif (Next to Normal) and its star, young Ben Platt.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot here, as there are spoilers. But Platt is Evan Hansen, a teen boy who doesn't feel he belongs at school, or at home, where his mom, Heidi (Rachel Bay Jones), tries her best working extra shifts as a nurse to make ends meet as a single parent. She doesn't notice right away that her son has become very involved with the Murphys (John Dossett, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Laura Dreyfus), the family of one of Evan's schoolmates, Conner (Mike Faist), who recently committed suicide. She comes to find out that Evan and Connor were very close-- or were they?
What Are the Highlights?
An excellent play, with moving, deep performances. Platt in particular, is perfect as the bumbling, uncertain, troubled teen. Pasek and Paul offer a pleasing score with insightful lyrics. One number sung beautifully by Thompson had me sitting on the edge of my seat to take in every heartfelt lyric and there wan't a dry eye in the house at the end.
Video (designed by Peter Nigrini) projected on David Korins' set enhances the experience.
What Are the Lowlights?
I had listed the end of the run, but the good news is that the show will return for a Broadway engagement. Here's one show I won't mind seeing again.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot here, as there are spoilers. But Platt is Evan Hansen, a teen boy who doesn't feel he belongs at school, or at home, where his mom, Heidi (Rachel Bay Jones), tries her best working extra shifts as a nurse to make ends meet as a single parent. She doesn't notice right away that her son has become very involved with the Murphys (John Dossett, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Laura Dreyfus), the family of one of Evan's schoolmates, Conner (Mike Faist), who recently committed suicide. She comes to find out that Evan and Connor were very close-- or were they?
What Are the Highlights?
An excellent play, with moving, deep performances. Platt in particular, is perfect as the bumbling, uncertain, troubled teen. Pasek and Paul offer a pleasing score with insightful lyrics. One number sung beautifully by Thompson had me sitting on the edge of my seat to take in every heartfelt lyric and there wan't a dry eye in the house at the end.
Video (designed by Peter Nigrini) projected on David Korins' set enhances the experience.
What Are the Lowlights?
I had listed the end of the run, but the good news is that the show will return for a Broadway engagement. Here's one show I won't mind seeing again.
More Information:
Dear Evan Hansen had its world premiere at Arena Stage, Washington, DC, this past summer.
Dear Evan Hansen played at Second Stage Theatre, NYC, through May 29. For information about the Broadway transfer, visit dearevanhansen.com.
Additional credits:
Choreography by Danny Mefford, Costume Design by Emily Rebholz, Hair Design by Josh Marquette, Makeup design by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira, Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman, Sound Design by Nevin Steinberg, Music Direction by s Ben Cohn, Musical Supervision and Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Vocal Arrangements by Justin Paul, Dance Music arrangements by David Chase.
Additional cast:
Kristolyn Lloyd, Will Roland
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:
-- Suicide
-- Sexual dialogue
-- God's name taken in vain
-- Language
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.