Dear Evan Hansen Musical – Complete Broadway Guide 2016-2022
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Dear Evan Hansen
A Contemporary Musical About Connection, Mental Health, and Finding Your Voice
Award-Winning Impact
At the 71st Tony Awards, Dear Evan Hansen was nominated for nine awards, winning six including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, Best Actor for Ben Platt, and Best Featured Actress for Rachel Bay Jones. The musical received critical acclaim and became a defining work of contemporary musical theater.
Development and Early Productions
The journey to Broadway began with several readings prior to the first stage production, all in New York. In May 2014, a reading was held at Pearl Studios, followed by another at Chelsea Studios in July 2014, and a third at Manhattan Movement and Arts Studio in September 2014. A full workshop took place in March 2015 at Gibney Dance Center. The project was initially called The PPL Project, and Ben Platt was involved in all readings and the workshop.
Arena Stage World Premiere (2015)
Dear Evan Hansen premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., running from July 30 to August 23, 2015. Directed by Michael Greif, the production featured orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, music direction by Ben Cohn, set design by David Korins and projection design by Peter Nigrini. Ben Platt featured in the title role, beginning what would become his Tony Award-winning performance.
Off-Broadway Production (2016)
The musical opened off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theater on March 26, 2016, in previews, with the official opening on May 1. The cast featured Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Will Roland, and Jennifer Laura Thompson repeating their roles from the Arena Stage production. New cast members were John Dossett and Kristolyn Lloyd. Michael Greif again directed, with choreography by Danny Mefford. The off-Broadway engagement closed on May 29, 2016.
Plot Synopsis
Act I
Evan Hansen, a bullied 17-year-old with social anxiety, depression, and a recently broken arm, is assigned by his therapist, Dr. Sherman, to write letters to himself detailing what will be good about each day. Evan’s overworked mother, Heidi, suggests that Evan ask people to sign the cast on his arm to make friends. Meanwhile, Cynthia and Larry Murphy struggle to connect with their own 17-year-old son, Connor, a sullen and equally depressed drug abuser (“Anybody Have a Map?”).
At school, Evan meets precocious classmate Alana and his reluctant “family friend” Jared, both of whom decline to sign his cast. Evan runs into Connor Murphy, who misinterprets his awkwardness for hostility and pushes him to the ground. Connor’s sister, Zoe, with whom Evan is infatuated, feels obliged to apologize for her brother’s behavior. Evan wonders if his destiny in life is to always be ignored (“Waving Through a Window”).
Evan writes a letter to himself in the school library (begun with “Dear Evan Hansen,”…), wondering how he could talk to Zoe and if anyone at school would notice if he disappeared. Connor bumps into Evan again, this time ironically offering to sign Evan’s cast. He finds Evan’s letter on the printer and, at the mention of Zoe, becomes furious and storms out, taking the letter with him.
Days later, Evan is called to the principal’s office, where Connor’s parents tell him that their son has died by suicide. They found Evan’s letter in Connor’s pocket, and mistakenly believe Connor wrote it, indicating a close friendship between him and Evan. Connor’s signature on Evan’s cast strengthens the Murphys’ belief, despite Evan’s fumbling attempts to explain what really happened.
The Murphys invite Evan to their house for dinner, where he tells them what he thinks they want to hear to avoid discomfort, pretending that he and Connor had secretly been best friends, and recounting a fictional version of the day he broke his arm at an abandoned apple orchard the family had visited years ago (“For Forever”). Evan enlists Jared’s help in creating fake, backdated email conversations between him and Connor (“Sincerely, Me”).
After Evan shows the Murphys the fake emails, Cynthia is ecstatic to “learn” that her son had a friend, but Larry is hurt, believing Connor took his family and his privileged life for granted, and Zoe still refuses to mourn Connor because of how he treated her (“Requiem”). However, after reading the “suicide note,” Zoe notices that she is mentioned fondly and asks Evan why Connor would say that about her, so he tells her all the reasons he loves her under the guise of Connor saying them (“If I Could Tell Her”). Evan impulsively kisses Zoe, but she pulls away and tells him to leave.
Evan, motivated by a vision of Connor, enlists Alana and Jared’s help in founding “The Connor Project” to keep Connor’s memory alive, which the Murphys eagerly encourage. Cynthia asks Evan to wear Connor’s necktie at its official launch (“Disappear”). Evan suffers a panic attack but composes himself during the speech, which goes viral online. Zoe, overcome by the impact her brother and Evan have had, kisses him. Meanwhile, Heidi discovers Evan’s viral video (“You Will Be Found”).
Act II
Evan and Alana pitch a fundraising campaign on The Connor Project’s website, to raise $50,000 to restore the abandoned apple orchard. Meanwhile, Jared continues to help Evan write fabricated emails. After Heidi learns about Evan’s speech about Connor online, she asks him why she never knew about this or the “friendship,” and they get into a fight. Evan runs to the Murphys’ house, where he bonds with Larry, who offers Evan Connor’s old, unused baseball glove (“To Break In a Glove”). Zoe tells Evan that she does not want their relationship to be about Connor, but about the two of them (“Only Us”). Evan becomes preoccupied with Zoe and neglects Heidi, Jared, and The Connor Project.
On one of his many visits to the Murphys, Evan finds they invited Heidi for dinner. She is offended to learn they want to give Connor’s college fund to Evan. At home, Heidi and Evan fight, with Evan telling her he has found family in her absence. Heidi, Alana, and Jared converge in Evan’s conscience, compounding his guilt and doubt over his decisions (“Good for You”). Evan debates with the vision of Connor about whether he should tell the truth.
Alana has become suspicious about Evan’s “friendship” with Connor, so Evan shows her Connor’s “suicide note,” which paints a more bitter picture than the letters about the boys’ friendship. Realizing that the letter is the key to fulfilling the fundraising goal for The Connor Project, Alana posts it online where, to Evan’s chagrin, it also goes viral. The public begins to blame Connor’s wealthy, previously dysfunctional family for his suicide, making them the targets of harassment.
Evan walks in on the Murphys fighting among themselves about the blame and finally admits to them his fabrication. As the Murphys leave in disgust, Evan absorbs his perceived brokenness as inescapable (“Words Fail”). Heidi recognizes the “suicide note” online as one of Evan’s therapy assignments and apologizes to him for not seeing how badly he has been hurting. She recalls the day his father moved out and promises that she will always be there for him when he needs her (“So Big / So Small”).
Finale
A year later, Evan is still living with his mother, working at a store to earn enough money for college the next semester. Zoe invites him to meet her at the orchard, which has been reopened in Connor’s memory, and they connect for the first time since Evan told the truth. He apologizes for the pain he caused and Zoe forgives him, saying the ordeal brought her family closer together. They share a moment before parting ways, in which Evan asks why she wanted to meet him at the orchard. Zoe tells Evan that she wants him to see the orchard.
Evan mentally writes himself one last letter reflecting on the impact he has had on his community and questions what is to come next (“Finale”).
Characters
Main Characters
- Evan Hansen – A high school senior with social anxiety. He is assigned by his therapist to write letters to himself about why each day will be good, which becomes the catalyst for the plot of the story.
- Heidi Hansen – Evan’s mother, a nurse’s aide who attends paralegal school at night, often leaving Evan on his own as a result.
- Connor Murphy – A classmate of Evan and high school senior who, like Evan, is also a social outcast with no friends, and is a frequent drug user, getting high to cope with his aggressive and violent tendencies. Connor eventually takes his own life during Act 1. His ghost appears in Evan’s mind throughout the rest of the musical.
- Zoe Murphy – Connor’s younger sister and Evan’s longtime crush. She was never close to Connor, even hated him and thought he was a monster, but wishes she had known him better and turns to Evan after he lies and says he was friends with Connor.
- Cynthia Murphy – Connor and Zoe’s stay-at-home mother. She is constantly trying to keep her fragile family from falling apart but is often unsuccessful.
- Larry Murphy – Connor and Zoe’s busy and distant father.
- Alana Beck – Evan’s earnest but melodramatic classmate. She is constantly looking for academic and extracurricular activities to boost her collegiate chances.
- Jared Kleinman – Evan’s droll and sarcastic friend. He helps Evan and Alana found The Connor Project.
Musical Numbers
Act I
- “Anybody Have a Map?”
- “Waving Through a Window”
- “Waving Through a Window” (Reprise #1)
- “Waving Through a Window” (Reprise #2)
- “For Forever”
- “Sincerely, Me”
- “Requiem”
- “If I Could Tell Her”
- “Disappear”
- “You Will Be Found”
Act II
- “Sincerely, Me” (Reprise)
- “To Break In a Glove”
- “Only Us”
- “Good for You”
- “For Forever” (Reprise)
- “You Will Be Found” (Reprise)
- “Words Fail”
- “So Big / So Small”
- “Finale”
Original Broadway Cast Recording
An original Broadway cast album was released at midnight on January 27, 2017, by Atlantic Records. The cast album debuted at number 8 on the February 25 Billboard 200. The recording, produced by Alex Lacamoire, won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. A deluxe album was released on November 2, 2018, containing all of the songs in the Original Broadway Cast Recording, in addition to cut songs and covers, including Katy Perry’s re-recorded version of “Waving Through a Window” to promote the show’s national tour.
Broadway Production
The show premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2016, in previews, and officially opened on December 4. After announcing that performances would take place at the Belasco Theatre, in mid-September 2016, producers announced that the show would instead perform at the Music Box Theatre. Michael Park, who originated the role of Larry in the Arena Stage production, returned for the Broadway production. All other cast members from the Second Stage production returned for the Broadway engagement.
Ben Platt played his last performance on November 19, 2017. He was succeeded by several notable actors in the title role:
- Noah Galvin – November 21, 2017 to February 2018
- Taylor Trensch – February 6, 2018 to January 2019
- Andrew Barth Feldman – January 30, 2019 (2018 Jimmy Award winner making his Broadway debut)
- Jordan Fisher – January 28, 2020
- Roman Banks
- Ben Levi Ross
- Gaten Matarazzo – The “Stranger Things” star joined the production in 2022
COVID-19 Impact and Closure
On March 12, 2020, the show suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Performances resumed on December 11, 2021, with Fisher returning as Evan Hansen. The returning company included all who were there at the time of the shutdown. The show played its final performance on Broadway on September 18, 2022, after 21 preview performances and 1,678 regular performances. The closure was attributed to soft ticket sales caused by the pandemic and the negative reception of the 2021 film adaptation.
Smithsonian Donation
In November 2018, producers donated several items from the Broadway run of the musical to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution, including a shirt, arm cast, button for The Connor Project, copy of the “Dear Evan Hansen” letter, and a piece of sheet music.
Major Productions Worldwide
First US Tour (2018-2023)
A US tour launched in October 2018 in Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Buell Theatre. Starring Ben Levi Ross in the title role, by December 2018 it was scheduled for over 50 cities. The tour also starred Jessica Phillips as Heidi Hansen, Jared Goldsmith as Jared Kleinman, Phoebe Koyabe as Alana Beck, Christiane Noll as Cynthia Murphy, Aaron Lazar as Larry Murphy, Marrick Smith as Connor Murphy, and Max McKenna as Zoe Murphy.
The tour played its final performance on July 2, 2023, at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, South Carolina.
Toronto Production (2019)
The first international performance of the show took place at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. The production began previews on March 5, 2019, and opened on March 28, 2019. The role of Evan Hansen was played by Robert Markus, and Zachary Noah Piser on Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Despite extending its booking period through September, the production closed early on July 21, 2019.
West End Production (2019-2022)
A West End production opened at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. The show began previews on October 29, before officially opening on November 19. The role of Evan Hansen was played by Sam Tutty, who won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance. At only 22 years old, he became one of the youngest winners in the category.
The rest of the cast included Rebecca McKinnis as Heidi Hansen, Lauren Ward as Cynthia Murphy, Rupert Young as Larry Murphy, Jack Loxton as Jared Kleinman, Iona Fraser as Alana Beck, Lucy Anderson as Zoe and Doug Colling as Connor Murphy.
The show closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and reopened on October 26, 2021, with all of the cast returning with the exception of Nicole Raquel Dennis, whose role as Alana was taken over by Iona Fraser. The production played its final performance in the West End on October 22, 2022.
International Productions
The musical has been produced in numerous countries and languages:
- Buenos Aires (2023-2024) – Directed by Sebastián Irigo, opened at the Metropolitan Theatre in May 2023, starring Máximo Meyer as Evan Hansen
- Helsinki, Finland (2023) – Opened September 28, 2023, at the Helsinki City Theatre with script and songs translated by Reita Lounatvuori and Hanna Kaila
- Seoul, Korea (2024) – Opened March 28, 2024, at the Chungmu Arts Center, featuring a triple-cast of Park Kang-hyun, Kim Sung-kyu, and Lim Kyu-hyung as Evan Hansen
- Australia (2024-2025) – Non-replica production by Sydney Theatre Company, directed by Dean Bryant, premiered October 12, 2024
- Stockholm, Sweden (2025) – Premiered January 23, 2025, at Intiman, starring Martin Stokke Mathiesen
- Brazil (2024) – Opened August 2, 2024, at Teatro Liberdade in São Paulo, starring Gab Lara
- Singapore (2024) – Pangdemonium Theatre Company production opened October 11, 2024, at Victoria Theatre
- Israel (2025) – Cameri Theatre production started performances in January 2025
- Netherlands (2025) – Premiered June 16, 2025, at DeLaMar Theater in Amsterdam with Dutch translation by Danny Westerweel
Ongoing and Upcoming Tours
- Second US Non-Equity Tour (2024-2025) – Launched September 2024, produced by Crossroads Live North America
- UK Tour (2024-2025) – Updated non-replica version opened in Nottingham on September 9, 2024, starring Ryan Kopel
- Philippines (2025) – Transfer of UK tour scheduled for September 4 to October 5, 2025, at Theatre at Solaire
- Singapore International Tour (2025) – Scheduled for October 30 to November 16, 2025, at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands
Critical Reception
Praise and Impact
The musical received acclaim, particularly for Platt’s leading performance, the lyrics and book. The story has also provided and encouraged open dialogue about its themes of mental illness and youth suicide. Dear Evan Hansen is a recipient of the 2015 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.
— Charles Isherwood, The New York Times
— Greg Stewart, Theatre Weekly (West End production)
Criticisms and Controversies
The overall public reception of the show was not without criticism. Some critics argue that it romanticizes or sanitizes mental illness by not naming Evan’s diagnosis. It also suggested that the show glorifies suicide, with questions about Connor’s death and whether or not Evan’s suicide attempt was intentional. Stacey Mindich, lead producer of the Broadway, Tour and West End productions, claimed in her opening speech at a Mental Health Month Symposium event on May 10, 2018, that she and the team did not want the show to be called a “suicide musical” in order to gain an audience.
The protagonist’s motives and choices have also been criticized. Jason Zinoman in a piece for Slate argues that the musical “employs many different tactics to prevent us from seeing Evan Hansen as a jerk, but its most audacious is to not allow anyone onstage to see him that way…The choice to give Evan Hansen no comeuppance doesn’t make dramatic sense. But you don’t need to be too cynical to see its commercial and emotional logic.”
Hilton Als of The New Yorker was also critical, writing: “It would have been amazing if Levenson had continued to dig into Evan’s awfulness. Instead, he takes side trips into tired knee-jerk liberalism and therapeutic healing… Evan confesses his deceit and makes it clear that all he wanted, really, was to be loved, because of, well, that absent daddy, that inattentive mommy, and the nastiness of the world.”
Awards and Recognition
2017 Tony Awards
Dear Evan Hansen was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won six:
- WON Best Musical
- WON Best Book of a Musical – Steven Levenson
- WON Best Original Score – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
- WON Best Actor in a Musical – Ben Platt
- WON Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Rachel Bay Jones
- WON Best Orchestrations – Alex Lacamoire
Other Major Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Helen Hayes Awards | Outstanding New Musical | Won |
| 2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Won |
| 2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Won |
| 2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Ben Platt) | Won |
| 2016 | Obie Awards | Special Citation | Won |
| 2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Won |
| 2020 | Olivier Awards (West End) | Best Actor in a Musical (Sam Tutty) | Won |
Adaptations
Young Adult Novel (2018)
The musical was adapted into a young adult novel by actor and singer-songwriter Val Emmich, in collaboration with Pasek, Paul, and Levenson. The novel, which features additional material based on scenes and songs cut from the show’s development that flesh out and expand upon the story, was released by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on October 9, 2018. An audiobook was released on the same date with narrations by Ben Levi Ross, Mike Faist, and Mallory Bechtel. It debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #2 for the week of October 28, 2018.
Film Adaptation (2021)
Film Details and Reception
On November 29, 2018, it was announced that Universal Pictures optioned the musical to make a film version. The film was directed by Stephen Chbosky from a screenplay by Levenson, with Marc Platt serving as producer. Ben Platt reprised his performance in the title role, alongside Colton Ryan as Connor Murphy.
The cast included Kaitlyn Dever as Zoe Murphy, Julianne Moore as Heidi Hansen, Amy Adams as Cynthia Murphy, Danny Pino as Larry Murphy, Nik Dodani as Jared Kleinman and Amandla Stenberg as Alana Beck. Stenberg collaborated with Pasek and Paul on the writing of “The Anonymous Ones,” a new song for her character. Another new song, “A Little Closer,” was written for Connor Murphy.
Filming began on August 25, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia, and Los Angeles, California, wrapping in December 2020. Several songs from the stage version were omitted from the film, including “Disappear,” “To Break In a Glove,” “Anybody Have a Map?” and “Good for You,” though the latter two are heard instrumentally.
Film Reception and Impact
The film had its world premiere as the Opening Night Gala Presentation of the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, followed by a theatrical release on September 24, 2021. The film was not as well-received as the stage version. Months prior to the premiere, it was criticized by the public, who accused it of nepotism for the filmmakers’ decision to have Platt, at age 27, reprise his role as a teenager.
The film had an opening weekend box office of $7.5 million worldwide and finished its run in theaters with $19.1 million. It received four nominations at the 42nd Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Director, Worst Actor (for Ben Platt) and Worst Supporting Actress (for Amy Adams). The film’s negative reception, along with soft ticket sales caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, became the leading factors that would cause both the Broadway and West End productions to close.
Licensing and Future
The show continues to be performed worldwide, with Music Theatre International holding the licensing rights, which have yet to be made more widely available to the general public as of June 2025. Despite the closures of the Broadway and West End productions, Dear Evan Hansen remains a significant work in contemporary musical theater, with numerous international productions and tours continuing to bring the story to audiences around the world.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Dear Evan Hansen represents a watershed moment in contemporary musical theater, addressing mental health, social media, and teenage isolation with unprecedented directness. The musical’s exploration of social anxiety, depression, and the desperate need for connection resonated deeply with audiences, particularly younger generations who saw their own experiences reflected on stage. While the show has faced legitimate criticism regarding its treatment of suicide and its protagonist’s moral choices, it has undeniably opened important conversations about mental health awareness and the complexities of grief, identity, and belonging in the digital age.
The musical’s signature song, “You Will Be Found,” became an anthem of hope and connection, transcending the show itself to become a cultural touchstone for those struggling with loneliness and mental health challenges. Despite the controversies surrounding both the stage production and film adaptation, Dear Evan Hansen remains one of the most significant and discussed musicals of the 21st century.
