“Dear Evan Hansen”

The show we saw tonight is a touring company so for the most part they follow the original direction (Michael Greif) and  limited choreography (Danny Mefford). The set is the same as we saw in the previous production and uses  projection design to perfection.

The story is pretty simple and at the same time quite complicated. Evan Hansen (Anthony Norman except on Wed. Matinees, Friday matinees and Sunday evenings /Jeffrey Cornelius ,is solid in this role). is one of those high school students referred to as a “loser”. He is for the most part unpopular, having one true friend, Jared Kleinman ( played to perfection by Pablo David Laucerica, who I interviewed on my radio show a few weeks ago). Jared is a computer whiz and is also a “loser” like his friend. But they are not personal friends- they are “family friends”.

Evan has a broken hand which is in a cast and that plays into the story early in the play. Evan’s therapist advises him to write himself a letter so he can get some things and emotions off his chest. He does so in the school library and in his emotions the letter contains something about a girl that he has a secret crush on – Zoe Murphy (Alaina Anderson, making her professional stage debut, and doing it with style and grace). Her brother Conner (Nikhil Saboo) the “bad boy” intercepts the letter and while teasing Evan, ends up signing his cast ( very overbearing signature) and making Evan almost feel good about having a new friend.

By the way, after Connor is gone, he is still around, only if to speak with Evan and let him know the problems, both good and bad of what he has created. Saboo is very sharp in his portrayal of the “bad boy”.

Connor commits suicide and Evan’s world changes.  Conner’s parents (John Hemphill as dad and Lili Thomas as mom) believe that Evan was Conner’s friend and want to find out more about why he took his own life. There is also another “outsider”, Alana (Micaela Lamas) who wants to be involved with whatever Evan does as the story gets deeper. In order to keep the story alive, Evan gets Jared to make up some e-mails showing their friendship was real and long. When Evan’s mom, Heidi ( a powerful Coleen Sexton) finds out that her son is more a part of the Murphy family than his own, she tries to take him back.

There is a lot of give and take between the two families as well as Evan with both his friends Jared and his cohort Alana as they use the internet and social media to raise money for the Apple Orchard where they supposedly spent their time together. I feel that the rest is something worth watching come out and finalize. Part  of what the story is about is the power of social media with our young people today. Growing up, we never had anything close to what can be done on the internet or even just with the rapidity of same. A facebook message can go viral in minutes as can any of the other social media platforms. My granddaughter said that every high school student has their phone out during every break and that at lunch, you see them all clicking away. It spreads fast, so maybe your teen needs to see this play and see just how painful a lie can be, for all concerned!

“Dear Evan Hanson” is indeed a story that will educate and entertain. At times, it is scary , knowing that what is being said, can be realized. I suggest that you bring at least 5 tissues as you will need two to end the first act and three during act two.

Nederlander Theatre

24 West Randolph Street       312-977-1700

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Dear Evan Hansen”.