Dear Evan Hansen- King’s Theatre Portsmouth.

CCADS brings the first ever production of Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson to King’s Theatre Portsmouth. Although CCADS is an amateur theatre production company, there is nothing amateur about the cast performances throughout the production and the impressive structure of the set design by Scenic Projects.

Christopher McCrohon takes on the role of the socially awkward senior high school student, who finds himself in a tricky situation after a troubled “classmate” Connor Murphy (Cohen Bates) takes his own life.

Connor had taken a letter from Evan, who wrote to himself for his therapist seesion, and it’s found in Connor’s pocket after his death. Leading to his parents to believe that Evan was a close friend. Evan is swept along the popularity and inclusion that this misunderstanding brings, and things become complicated.

The original music and lyrics are written by Tony and Grammy award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The storyline dynamics and themes bring out different emotional responses, especially towards Evan as morally his behaviour is deceitful and unfair towards the grieving family. However, as the story develops, it’s questionable if Evan gives the family hope about the memory of their troubled son and keep his memory alive. This is up to the audience to decide what they think about Evan’s actions.

The Musical brings together the dangers of being drawn into the social media trap of online popularity and how easy someone socially awkward can be lured in and how the realms of reality and unreality can be blurred.

CCADS bring a West End quality production to Portsmouths King’s Theatre with a strong and highly talented amateur cast. Directed by John -Paul McCrohon, who also takes on the role of Larry Murphy, Connor’s father.