Dear Evan Hansen today is going to be a good day, and here’s why. Because Dear Evan Hansen is on its UK tour and currently at the Theatre Royal Brighton!
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a powerful musical that tells the story of Evan Hansen, a high school student who struggles with social anxiety. After a classmate’s tragic death, a misunderstanding leads other to believe that Evan was close to him. This newfound attention makes Evan feel more accepted, but he soon faces the challenges of living a lie. The musical explores themes of mental health, loneliness, and the importance of genuine connections. With its heartfelt songs and relatable message, it captures the struggles many young people face today.
I’ve been a fan of DEH ever since its soundtrack made its way onto my Spotify best of musicals playlist. When I found out it was playing in London’s West End, I knew I had to see it! After a few COVID-19 cancellations, I finally got the chance to experience the show live, featuring Sam Tutty in the lead role of Evan. I believe Tutty had this role throughout its entire West End run, and he was absolutely fantastic! His performance brought so much depth and emotion to the character, making the experience truly unforgettable.
Ryan Kopel, who plays Evan on the UK Tour, delivers a fantastic performance that truly captures the essence of this complex character. While it’s natural to look for similarities among different actors, each brings their own unique interpretation to Evan. Kopel’s portrayal resonated with me, showcasing mannerisms that felt authentic to the character. Alice Fearn, as Evan’s mother Heidi, created a beautiful and poignant dynamic on stage. Their relationship added so much depth, particularly during the song “So Big / So Small.” I usually don’t consider it one of my favourites, but that night, the emotion was absolutely chilling and left a lasting impact.
The Murphy family consists of mother Cynthia, portrayed by Helen Anker; father Larry, played by Richard Hurst; daughter Zoe, brought to life by Lauren Conroy; and son Connor, played by Killian Thomas Lefevre. One of my favourite songs from the score is “Requiem,” sung by Cynthia, Larry, and Zoe, and it certainly did not disappoint. This powerful song beautifully captures the family’s emotions as they reflect on their loss, and the on-stage performance was truly moving. Each actor brought depth to their roles, making the scene resonate even more.
Tom Dickerson brings a delightful quirkiness to Evan’s slightly odd family friend, Jared, while Vivian Panka captures the melodramatic essence of classmate Alana. Both casting choices were spot on; Dickerson infused his role with just the right amount of comedic flair, while Panka nailed Alana’s perfectly annoying demeanour. I found myself eagerly anticipating when Alana would sing “The Anonymous One,” only to remember that this song is exclusive to the DEH movie and isn’t part of the stage production. Regardless, their performances added an entertaining dynamic to the show!
Dear Evan Hansen is currently running at the Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday, 19th of October. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, Friday at 7:30 PM, and Saturday at both 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM. I highly recommend trying to get tickets for this incredible show – you won’t want to miss it! Click HERE for tickets.