During the pandemic, my husband and I missed musical theatre hard. So starved for that experience, we’d watch anything we could find. While scouring YouTube we came across a recording of the original Broadway cast performing Dear Evan Hansen. It was a world away from Disney+’s Hamilton pro-shot, a basic video captured by an audience member on their mobile phone. But it was enough to trigger an obsession with this show. We listened to the soundtrack with those incredible Pasek and Paul songs more times than I could count, and when an Australian production was announced, we snapped up tickets for the first performance.
I am so thrilled that Australia gets a chance to see this musical. It’s a fantastic story that explores themes of mental health, connection, growing up, and the cult of social media so beautifully. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so powerful and beautifully realised by our Australian cast. Beau Woodbridge is a revelation as Evan. It’s such a demanding part, both vocally and in terms of the role itself, but he excelled, making us care about him all while the character’s flaws shone through. Georgia Laga’aia was also the perfect Zoe. While I’m torn, my husband insists she was even better than the original Broadway Zoe, Laura Dreyfuss. It’s a big call, but I really appreciated what she did with the role and the gorgeous timbre of her voice. Verity Hunt-Ballard is always outstanding, but I especially loved seeing her in a grittier role after watching her all poised and polished years ago in Mary Poppins. All the adults were excellent though. After their parts were slashed so substantially in the film version, watching our cast reminded me just how pivotal they are to this story. Side note: please don’t base your opinion of Dear Evan Hansen on that dreadful film adaptation.
I’ve also got to give shout-outs to set designer Jeremy Allen, lighting designer Matt Scott, and video designer David Bergman. Normally I don’t notice what these professionals do, but the way they have elevated this production even beyond the Broadway version we watched deserves praise. They brought us into the Hansen and Murphy homes, and the spaces in between, so beautifully. The virtual world, and the fallout of events there, was perfectly realised.
This is such a gorgeous production, and so worth the wait for Dear Evan Hansen fans like myself. I’m so glad the whole creative team did this musical justice and that Aussies will finally get to see it so beautifully brought to life. If you’re a longtime fan like me, do not hesitate. Snap up all the tickets. And if you’re new to this musical, take a chance on it. I know there are plenty of known quantities out there, but please get out there and support this production. It plays at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Eora/Sydney until December 1. It’ll be at the Playhouse Theatre in the Arts Centre in Naarm/Melbourne from December 14, Canberra Theatre Centre in Ngambri/Canberra from February 27, and finally Her Majesty’s Theatre in Tarntanya/Adelaide from April 3.