Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until the 12 October 2024
Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert
5*****
‘Sensational! – Evan’s powerful story grips and moves people’
The first new UK production of Dear Evan Hansen has come on tour, and I had the pleasure of seeing it at the wonderful Hall for Cornwall. It is presented by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Nottingham Playhouse and is directed by Adam Penfold.
Dear Evan Hansen, is a powerful musical performed by a talented cast. Evan (Ryan Kopel) is a 17 year old social outsider with anxiety and his therapist has tried to encourage him to become more positive by writing himself letters starting “Dear Evan Hansen, this is going to be a good day and here’s why”. But, one day one of these letters falls into the hand of another student, Connor Murphy (Killian Thomas Lefevre). When Connor later takes his own life, Evan gets drawn deeper into a web of lies and fabrications as that seems to be the way to find acceptance. Eventually, his lies begin to unravel when he is taken under the wing of the bereaved family, the Murphys. Parents, Cynthia (Helen Anker) and Larry (Richard Hurst) are looking for answers and Evan seemingly provides them. Daughter Zoe (Lauren Conroy) is initially sceptical, but over time Evan convinces her that his friendship with her brother was genuine.
The musical explores the feelings of the grieving family, teens wanting to be noticed and Evan Hansen finally fitting in. The use of the internet and social media is woven throughout. Enabling teens to reach others, but also helping to fabricate an alternative reality showing that the digital world can be harmful as well as good.
The performance by Ryan Kopel was exceptional and realistically portrayed teen angst, anxiety, shyness and that sweaty hand feeling teens get when in the presence of a girl they like. From the moment he finishes his first big song, ‘Waving Through a Window’, the audience erupts, and i knew we were in for a stellar performance. He is totally convincing, from his posture to the way he moves, his vocals, facial expressions and projection were truly astounding.
It’s not all deep and emotional, and lighter moments are added by Tom Dickerson as Evan’s friend Jared who gets drawn in by doing Evan a favour, and fellow student Alana (Vivian Panka) who’s desperate to jump onto the bandwagon.
As a mum I resonated with the pain of the mothers: one who has lost a child and another who is trying her hardest as a single parent to give her son (Evan) the best opportunities in life. The characters played by Helen Anker and Alice Fearn are very different, but both women made my heartache for the characters who love their children and want to do the best for them. Alice Fearn’s rendition of ‘So Big/So Small’, one can empathise that there is no ‘map’ to follow.
The staging is simplistic yet technologically current to highlight the overwhelming and damning effect of the internet and social media. Using one piece of main set, surrounded by screens showing different social media updates, allows you to focus on the story being told without distractions.
Music and Lyrics are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are really upbeat and inspirational. With pop-rock elements suitable for audiences of all ages, some of which show hints of character growth (Requiem) and windows of light (Disappear), despite the mostly sobering (Waving Through a Window) and pointed, angry lyrics (Good For You). The musicals end of Act One song (You will be Found) is its most popular and soul-stirring and its lyrics full of hope and resilience.
You don’t have to be a teen to appreciate this impressive show. It’ll make you emotional, it’ll make you uncomfortable, it might even make you angry as events spiral, but it’s something that you will most likely remember for a long time to come.