The award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen has returned to the UK stage on a nationwide tour through Spring 2025 under the direction of Adam Penford. This deeply emotional musical follows the journey of a socially anxious high school student, Evan Hansen, as he becomes entangled in a web of lies following a tragic misunderstanding. What begins as a well-intentioned deception spirals out of control, forcing Evan to confront the emotional wreckage left in his wake.
Ryan Kopel takes on the title role, capturing Evan’s crippling anxiety and awkwardness, while also showing the longing for connection that drives his character. His performance is vulnerable and raw, especially during one of the show’s biggest numbers “Words Fail” which is an emotional hard hitter. Kopel’s portrayal of Evan’s missteps—his manipulation of the grieving Murphy family to reshape his own lonely narrative—adds a layer of complexity, making his character hard to wholeheartedly sympathise with, yet deeply human.
Lauren Conroy, as Zoe Murphy, gives a compelling performance as the sister of Connor, the troubled teen whose suicide sets the plot in motion. Zoe’s internal conflict—grieving for a brother she barely knew, let alone liked— is fraught with emotional tension, particularly in the song “Requiem,” where Conroy expertly captures her frustration with how her family has posthumously rewritten Connor’s memory.
However, the show’s real emotional weight rests with the parents. Richard Hurst and Helen Anker as Larry and Cynthia Murphy, Connor’s parents, deliver heart-wrenching portrayals of grief. Their characters, trying to navigate the profound sorrow of losing a child they didn’t fully understand, cling to the hope that Evan’s fabricated letters offer. Cynthia’s desperation to believe that someone truly cared for her son is especially poignant, and her grief feels raw and unfiltered. The parallels between Cynthia and Evan’s mother, Heidi (Alice Fearn), are beautifully drawn in the song “Anybody Have a Map?” Both mothers are struggling to connect with their sons, though in different ways—Heidi is working tirelessly to provide for Evan, yet failing to see his need for emotional support, while Cynthia mourns a son she never truly knew.
Despite the show’s emotive tone, it’s hard not to view Dear Evan Hansen through a somewhat cynical lens. Evan’s actions—whether intentional or not—are deeply flawed. He’s not just trying to comfort a grieving family; he’s rewriting his own story, turning a tragedy into an opportunity to fabricate friendships and social connections. It’s a moral ambiguity that leaves the audience with mixed feelings, particularly as Evan’s deceit leads to the creation of a movement that seems to bring people together, yet leaves him and others like fellow student Alana (Vivian Panka), just as isolated in the end.
The minimalist set design enhances the storytelling, with lockers, beds, and kitchen tables rolled onto a mostly bare stage, emphasising the isolation and disconnect central to the story. Meanwhile, the seven-piece band, under Michael Bradley’s musical direction, provides a rich soundscape for the pop-infused score. The strings, in particular, add a haunting quality to songs like “Requiem,” complementing Conroy’s powerful vocals.
One of the musical’s most iconic moments, “You Will Be Found,” remains a stunning piece of contemporary musical theatre. The way it builds, both musically and emotionally, is a perfect synthesis of the story’s key themes—loneliness, hope, and the search for connection. The cast delivers Pasek and Paul’s demanding soundtrack with full emotional conviction, from the vulnerability of “Waving Through a Window” to the bitter irony of “Sincerely, Me,” where Evan and Jared (Tom Dickerman) fake emails, planting words that drip with disdain from Connor’s (Killian Thomas Lefevre) mouth.
While the pacing of Penford’s direction is generally effective, there’s a sense that some of the consequences are glossed over. In a world where Evan’s rise to prominence and popularity is via social media, it’s notable that his downfall isn’t shown the same way and he’s also sheltered from the fallout of his actions from his peers.
Dear Evan Hansen at The Curve offers an exploration of grief, anxiety, and the human need for connection. While the moral ambiguity of Evan’s actions leaves a bitter taste, the performances—especially from Kopel, Conroy, and Anker—are exceptional. With its emotionally charged score and a band that excels, the production delivers a poignant and thought-provoking experience, even as it leaves the audience grappling with the unsettling moral dilemmas it presents.
Dear Evan Hansen is at The Curve until 5th October 2024, find more information here: https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/dear-evan-hansen/
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Katie Reviews 