Dear Evan Hansen burst onto the scene in 2016 and became a cultural phenomenon, dealing with themes such as mental illness, loneliness, and social media. When I saw it on Broadway back then, I was astounded at how resonant the story was. Since then, society has changed quite a bit and I wondered how well this show would hold up a decade later. Fortunately, this new production at the Arden Theatre Company proved that it’s truly an excellent musical that still lands emotionally.
Dear Evan Hansen was co-created by Ardmore native Benj Pasek, who was inspired by an incident that happened when he was a student at Friends’ Central School. It’s a challenging story that involves suicide and grief, yet manages to discuss it with empathy and responsibility. The score, composed by Pasek and Justin Paul, is fantastic. “Waving Through a Window” became an instant showtune classic, “You Will Be Found” is an inspiring anthem of mental health, “For Forever” and “Disappear” are beautiful, while “Words Fail” and “So Big/So Small” are devastating. As powerful as the story is, the score is truly magnificent and one of the best in recent musical theater.
The Arden, as always, did an excellent job with this production. Directed by Terry Nolan, this version of Dear Evan Hansen felt very grounded, with characterizations feeling true to life and a simple scenic design. The true highlights were the standout performances, including from some making their Arden debuts. Evan A. Kaushesh, hailing all the way from Arizona, plays the titular role. It was certainly worth whatever national search process they utilized, as Kaushesh was truly excellent in an incredibly difficult part. Kaushesh’s Evan feels not like someone with severe mental illness, but someone a bit more familiar; trying to navigate his teens with anxiety and loneliness. He still has nervous tics and a wildly realistic panic attack, but in other moments he feels not too dissimilar from how many people feel in high school. His ability to reach a deep vulnerability and sing through tears toward the end of the show was breathtaking. Another highlight is Arden veteran Krissy Fraelich as Evan’s mom, Heidi. Fraelich plays Heidi as a gentle yet overwhelmed mom with whom you completely connect. Her performance of “So Big/So Small” is the emotional anchor of the entire show. Blake Ehrlichman, who was a part of this show’s national tour, plays Jared with a fine balance of humor and empathy. Hailey Lara, a current West Chester University student, does an excellent job as Zoe Murphy, a teenager facing conflicting feelings on grief following the death of her brother. The live eight-piece orchestra brings a beautiful energy to Pasek & Paul’s stellar score.
A decade after Dear Evan Hansen took New York by storm, the Arden Theatre Company has brought it to Philadelphia and demonstrates why it was such a force to begin with. With an exceptional score and a powerful book, this tale hasn’t gotten any less relevant. Regardless of your age or your journey with mental health, Dear Evan Hansen continues to have plenty to offer. This production at the Arden reminds us that no matter who you are, “you will be found.”
Dear Evan Hansen is running at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia through July 5th. To purchase tickets, visit https://ardentheatre.org/.