How do you describe perfection? How can I possibly put into words what this show meant to me? The answer is I can’t and there is no way this article will represent the incredible show that is Dear Evan Hansen, but I’ll try my best.
Let’s begin with my thoughts after the first act. I think the playwrights found a perfect balance of diving deep without being too upsetting. The slight humorous and funny moments in the show were perfectly placed in between darker scenes which created a nice contrast throughout the show. The production really highlighted the power social media has in our lives. I’m not usually a fan of technology for scenery - I prefer a nice physical set - but the technological aspect of this musical was one of my favorite parts. It demonstrated how this technological world can make many teenagers feel alone. People can hide behind a facade with social media and make their lives seem great when they’re actually miserable. Our generation has chosen to let the world only see the happy moments, the things we’re proud of, and the problems and issues we face every day, are hidden from the screen.
The songs are amazing and the emotion that each and every character brought to the lyrics moved me. I cried more than five times in the first act alone. I went to the bathroom at intermission and there was no mascara left on my lashes; instead it was dripping down my face. Every single song gave me chills and legitimate goosebumps on my arms.
When the second act began, I thought, “how could this get any better?” but it completely did. Ben Platt’s dedication to the part is astounding. Not only can he sing, but his acting ability is incredible. His role can never be recast. Ever. He and Laura are perfect together and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing either role. In the performance, Platt really dives into who Evan is. All his quirks, thoughts, and emotions are developed and all I wanted to do was run on stage and give him a hug because his acting genuinely made me feel like he was in this excruciating pain and confusion. If I become half the actor Ben Platt is, I will consider myself the luckiest person in the world. I have a list of my top Broadway performers based on seeing them in many, many productions, but Platt was able to rise to the top of that list in a single night.
The messages behind the plot are what intrigued me the most. This wasn’t just a Broadway show with an introduction, problem, climax, solution, and a ton of musical numbers, but it was also thought-provoking. I sat there contemplating so many different things. What if I were in Evan’s situation? What would I have done? You can’t help but be mad as his lies spiral out of control, but then again you feel for him because you know he had good intentions and his heart was in the right place. It showed that what you want in life isn’t always what you need.
In addition, there was an unspoken part to the plot. The fact that Evan broke his arm trying to take his own life is hinted at throughout the musical. In the second act, when his cast is off, it symbolized to me that he no longer had the urge to take his life and then he was embarrassed so he expanded his lie to cover up the truth of his past. When he starts lying to help himself instead of to help others, things go wrong and he starts hurting the people he loves. The whole show is filled with symbols and underlying lessons if you really take the time to analyze it.
In conclusion, this show reminded me why I love theater and why I want it to be part of my life forever. While applying to colleges, I lost sight of this. I made the decision to get a practical degree to fall back on before I did any theater so I was contemplating a major in economics with a minor in drama. After seeing this show, I’m even more compelled to pursue theater as a career, even if it’s only for a short time. This show deeply moved me and that’s the effect I want to have on other people. I want to be part of something that matters.
Furthermore, Laura Dreyfuss went to my high school. She walked the same hallways I walk every day. I’m sure when she was in high school she’d never imagine herself where she is now; she has an incredible voice and is starring in the best broadway musical I’ve ever seen. I cried as she took her bow, thinking that must be the most amazing feeling in the world. I’m not giving up on my passion. Maybe I’ll never be as great as Laura Dreyfuss or Ben Platt and that’s okay, but I won’t know unless I try. So I’d like to thank Ben Platt, the entire cast of Dear Evan Hansen, and especially Laura Dreyfuss for reminding me why I love theater and showing me that dreams can become reality.
