Poignant and compelling, the Australian premiere of six-time Tony Award winner Dear Evan Hansen – about a socially anxious 17-year-old – is a theatrical triumph. Steven Levenson (who received the gong for Best Book) has injected warmth and humour into the slice of life drama that makes for an enthralling narrative. Powerful and resounding music and lyrics by Benji Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman) help propel the storyline. Musical direction is from Zara Stanton. Led by a bravura showing from Beau Woodbridge as Evan, the eight strong cast is poised and polished.
Evan is being brought up by his single mother (his father left when he was seven), Heidi (Verity Hunt-Ballard). She is a nurse who is studying to become a paralegal and is rarely home. Evan, who has no real friends and is awkward around others, struggles with anxiety and depression, for which he is seeing a therapist. The therapist (who we don’t see) tasks him with writing letters to himself about why he should look forward to each day … and he struggles with that. After a particularly bad day, he turns the tables on the positives and writes an honest few paragraphs.
In it, he mentions his interest in a girl named Zoe Murphy (Georgia Laga’aia). Unfortunately, his words end up in the hands of a deeply troubled student, Connor (Harry Targett), who happens to be Zoe’s brother. Infuriated, he storms off and soon after takes his own life. Connor’s parents Cynthia (Natalie O’Donnell) and Larry (Martin Crewes) retrieve the letter, which starts with the words “Dear Evan Hansen”. Naturally, they think Connor wrote it and poured his heart out to a friend they never knew he had.
Evan can’t bring himself to tell them the truth, as an inconsolable Cynthia is desperate to learn more from Evan about his relationship with her son. Truth be told, Evan’s fleeting interactions with Connor were negative, but Evan doesn’t want to let Cynthia down. Thereafter begins a litany of lies, which will envelope the remaining Murphy family, including Zoe, along with Evan’s mother. Also integral to what unfolds are Evan’s family friend Jared Kleinman (Jacob Rozario) and Evan’s precocious classmate Alana Beck (Carmel Rodrigues). The enticing premise is set up as a heartfelt conundrum.
I can’t speak highly enough about how Beau Woodbridge, who is asked to do much of the heavy lifting, inhabits the lead role. He sings magnificently. He is nuanced. His facial expressions and body movements channel nerdish Evan with distinction. He IS Evan Hansen. Woodbridge is complimented by the tone and affectations of the others, who are also potent throughout. Verity Hunt-Ballard excels as try hard mum Heidi, who is blindsided by her son’s closeness to the Murphys. Vulnerability is the stock in trade for Georgia Laga’aia as Zoe, who always saw her brother as a bad guy, and for mum Cynthia, who is desperate to turn back the clock. There is a great deal of emotional resonance in all three.
Harry Targett brings real attitude to Connor. Martin Crewes develops dad Larry, who begins to let down his guard. Carmel Rodrigues showcases Evan’s fellow outsider Alana as a driven motormouth. Jacob Rozario is another standout as Jared, whom he infuses with sarcasm. During the course of proceedings, the cast displays some sweet moves, courtesy of movement director Shannon Burns. Simple but effective set design by Jeremy Allen shifts the focus from Evan’s bedroom to his school, into the Murphys’ home and beyond. Creative video design by David Bergman gives Dear Evan Hansen additional heft.
The action moves along at pace, as director Dean Bryant has stamped his indelible imprint on a rich and rewarding theatrical experience. The breathtaking coming of age tale is on at The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne until 16th February, 2025.
Alex First
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
