DEAR EVAN HANSEN, EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
‘This is an ‘all star cast’ in the real sense of the words…’
Dear Evan Hansen has become a musical theatre phenomenon since premiering ten years ago this month. This, the first production to tour the UK, ensures its torch will continue to blaze into a second decade with a stellar ensemble cast, heartfelt message and the revelation that is Ryan Kopel, in the title role.
Socially awkward high school student Evan Hansen, struggling with anxiety, has been set an exercise by his counsellor. He must write a daily letter to himself, starting with the words, ‘Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a good day, and here’s why…’. When one of those letters is taken by his troubled classmate Connor Murphy, who dies by suicide a short time later, the letter is misinterpreted as a suicide note from Connor to Evan, placing Evan at the centre of a series of lies that spiral out of control as Connor’s family cling to their son’s ‘secret friendship’ as a coping mechanism for their grief.
Very much a musical of today, Dear Evan Hansen tackles issues that speak directly to a younger generation but affect all ages. These include social anxiety, depression, suicide, family relationships and the impact of online interactions and the peer pressure of social media on mental health. It’s a triggering mix, but one that is laced with humour, tenderness and most importantly, hope and resolution.
Steven Levenson’s snappy book ensures a lightness of touch throughout while never diminishing the seriousness of the issues being addressed and presents well drawn characters, while Benj Pasket and Justin Paul’s vibrant, haunting score, is a masterpiece. The Act I finale, You Will Be Found, is a soaring anthem for lost youths everywhere, with an inspiring and important promise.
Adam Penford’s direction is engrossing and, together with Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s choreography, makes for a slick, fluid production that belies the production’s two hours 40 minutes (including interval) running time. The action just flies by. However, it is the performers on stage that make this Dear Evan Hansen a piece of Must See Theatre. This is an ‘all star cast’ in the real sense of the words, the names may not be instantly recognisable but they are all artists at the top of their game.
It’s seldom a touring musical has no weak link, this is one such production. Led by Ryan Kopel, in a career-defining performance, the cast work together as a gloriously empowered ensemble. Wicked favourite Alice Fearn, in her first ‘mother’ role, as Heidi Hanson is spectacular. She brings a visceral hurt, anger and ultimately all-consuming love to the part of Evan’s hard-working, unintentionally distant, damaged but caring mom. That performance is perfectly balanced by West End and Broadway star Helen Anker as Cynthia Murphy. She captures the pain and desperation of loss with a heart-wrenching turn.
Of the younger ensemble members Killian Thomas Lefevre is a classic triple threat as the deceased Connor. He acts, dances and sings, bringing touching moments of laughter, pathos and even comedy to the darkness of the piece. Richard Hurst as bereft father Larry Murphy, Tom Dickerson as Evan’s ‘family friend’ Jared, and Vivian Panka as the self-centred, media savvy Alana are all excellent in their respective roles and add to the overall potency of the piece that allows it to hold the audience spellbound. A special mention must go to Lauren Conroy who captivates as Zoe Murphy. Her characterisation is a touching, multi-layered and pitched to perfection.
However, from start to finish, Ryan Kopel is the heart of the piece. This is his show and he gives a performance that marks him out as an exciting new musical theatre star. His vocal range is breath-taking, his delivery sublime and, when required, devastatingly emotional. His rendition of Waving Through A Window is outstanding, and he lives every second of a show-stopping, Words Fail. In a intricately observed performance, every twitch, stammer and silence is used to increase the fragile vulnerability of a teenager ‘always on the outside, always looking in’. Kopel’s Evan is a captivating, intensely likeable creation whose synergy with Lefevre as the spectral Connor is electric.
Played out on Morgan Large’s spacious kinetic neon-trimmed set, and against the video design of Large and Ravi Deeres, this story of broken families is already a modern classic of musical theatre, this production is more than that, it’s powerful theatre and social commentary that carries an important message; No one deserves to be forgotten – You still matter.
Make tomorrow a good day, go see it.
Runs at Edinburgh Playhouse until Saturday 5 July. Tickets here.
Tour dates and tickets here.
