Before I even compare Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton, Broadway geeks will automatically say that Hamilton is superior to every other musical (and I am not necessarily disagreeing), but let's actually compare the two shows.
Hamilton made a huge buzz when it hit the Richard Rogers Theater in the summer of 2015, and the buzz never really ended. There are hardly any negative reviews about the show, and anyone who sees it leaves the theater with a strong interest in a man who died 213 years ago. The show won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2016 and is commonly known the most revolutionary musical since Rent.
After Hamilton's year, Dear Evan Hansen came along. The show won the Tony Award for Best Musical of 2017, but it is often overshadowed by last year's winner. The shows have entirely different focuses, but let's see if we can completely analyze them.
Content
Hamilton: For anyone who has not heard of the show (or is unable to assume the subject of the show by reading the name), Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton follows the life of treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton. Don't be confused, the show is not a history lesson. Miranda took an under-appreciated story and found a way to tell a story that covers almost every topic imaginable. The show touches on the notion of freedom, equality, feminism, race relations, and so much more. Part of the reason why I believe that the show is so popular is that everyone, regardless of background, is able to relate to or value an aspect of the show.
Dear Evan Hansen: Evan Hansen is a high school student with a social anxiety disorder. He finds himself on the outside of the life he wants to live. Evan gets caught up in the death of his classmate Connor after he commits suicide with a letter that Evan had written to himself in his pocket. Evan lies and makes up a story that him and Connor had a secret friendship. The show is mainly focused on mental health, especially in teens, and is one of few musicals to have this focus. It is also one of the first musicals to focus on social media and the way in which it affects and interacts with teens.
Stylistic Choices
Hamilton: The casting and design teams of Hamilton are purely genius. If you asses the actual characters of the story, you will notice that they include figures such as the George Washington, King George III, and Thomas Jefferson. What do all of these people have in common? They are all white. However, the show's cast is one of the most diverse in Broadway's history. Very few white characters are actually portrayed by white actors, and in this way the show actually represents America. They are a diverse cast, and we are a diverse country.
The costume and set design are not extremely flamboyant, but this is purposeful. The neutral colored 'storyteller' outfits of the ensemble are meant to draw reference to Hamilton's work on parchment, him actually writing his way through life, according to the costume designer Paul Tazewell. The set is meant to replicate the docks that Hamilton entered America on, but on the center of the stage there is a turntable. The turntable is now an essential part of the show. There are so many instances in which characters feel as though their life is spinning, things are moving too fast, or too much is happening at once. It is hard to explain the significance of wood that moves in circles, but it is unbelievably impactful when picked together with the music of the production.
Dear Evan Hansen: Because the show is contemporary, it is almost completely opposite to Hamilton in its style. Characters wear regular clothes that you could see on the street because that is what they are supposed to be; normal people. The set includes an array of digital screens in the background, and they are used to represent social media surrounding Evan. The screens are so perfect for their purpose. They are large, looming, and always present, just as social media is in our lives.
Music
Hamilton: This comparison is basically unfair. Hamilton is known for being the first of its kind as a rap musical. So yes, this is the founding fathers rapping. Miranda's songwriting skill is so outstanding and different from others. Allow me to explain, Hamilton has over 20,000 words, and the Phantom of the Opera has under 7,000. 20,000 words crammed into two hours? All due to Miranda's unique use of rap. In this way, the songs of Hamilton are not only different from every other musical on Broadway, but they also tell the story in more words, giving the audience an entirely different experience.
Dear Evan Hansen: Its not that the music of Dear Evan Hansen is bad (because it is actually amazing), but it did not adapt an entirely new genre to the world of musical theater. If I were to compare the music to any other show on Broadway right now, I could name 20 ways in which Dear Evan Hansen is unique and beautiful. However, it's just impossible to compare it to Hamilton, sorry.
Relevance
Hamilton: The beauty of the show is that it is relevant now and it will always be relevant. In some way, shape, or form, we are always fighting for a form of freedom. Just as Hamilton fought for independence from the British in 1783, today we all fight for something.
Dear Evan Hansen: Mental health is being talked about now more than ever. We are fighting the stigma, and we are realizing what society can do to help. The show's focus on social media is extremely relevant, and it is especially noteworthy because it is the first musical to have this focus.
So, what do you think?
