I missed the original West End production which meant I came to view this without any preconceived ideas. 

Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply moving story of socially anxious Evan Hansen, a high school senior who struggles with mental health issue and is encouraged by his therapist to write supportive letters to himself. Evan gets caught up in a lie after one such letter is mistaken for a suicide note written by bullying schoolmate Connor Murphy.

Connor’s parents assume the letter was genuinely written to Evan and he finds it difficult to disabuse them in face of their need to understand their son’s decision. When pressed he fabricates details of a friendship that never existed.  He becomes deeply embroiled in the Murphy’s family and with the encouragement of his, now, friends Alana and Jarad writes e mails supporting the friendship and starts to fundraise for ‘The Connor Project’.

As the lie grows, a speech given by Evan at a school memorial for Connor goes viral. The story illustrates how the internet can turn fake news into assumed fact, with money pouring in to support the Project.  Ryan Kopel does a sterling job as Evan portraying the loneliness and vulnerability physically with nervy smiles and tentative gestures. He delivers some of the biggest songs which leave the audience stunned. 

Lauren Conroy captures the emotional wariness of Connor’s sister, dealing with the death of her brother and seeking answers. Killian Thomas Lefevre gives a strong performance as Connor, who appears several times after his death to give guidance to Evan.

Connor struggles with his mental health. Sadly there isn’t time during the play to explore this fully. Tom Dickenson provides light relief as Jared is ably supported by Vivian Panka as the ambitious Alana. Music and songs, mostly pop-rock add seamlessly into the narrative. Requiem sung by the Murphys is an example of this.

Morgan Large set design utilises sliding doors and mirrors to enlarge and reduce the view of the story with a kaleidoscopic digital backdrop used to show the interactions from social media.

For more information about Dear Evan Hansen please click on the link below. 

4 stars 

Reviewer Nina Gardner.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dear-evan-hansen/new-victoria-theatre/

New Victoria Theatre  – Woking

Dear Evan Hansen

Book  Stephen Leve Pasek and Justin Paul
Music and Lyric   Benj
Director  Adam Penfold
Set and Costume Design   Morgan Large
Choreographer   Carrie-Anne Ingrouille

Cast
Ryan Kopel   Evan Hansen
Lauren Conroy  Zoe Murphy
Alice Fearn  Heidi Hansen
Helen Anker  Cynthia Murphy
Richard Hurst    Larry Murphy
Killian Thomas Lefevre  Connor Murphy
Tom Dickenson   Jarad Kleinman
Vivian Panka    Alana Beck