Top 5 Facts about Dear Evan Hansen
#5: It's Based on a True Story
The latest musical sensation to hit Broadway is a modern story about the trials and tribulations of high school life. The lead character, Evan, suffers from extreme social anxiety and lacks any meaningful social connections. One of Evan's schoolmates commits suicide, and Evan becomes intrinsically involved in the tragedy, inciting the main conflict of the play. The concept for the story is actually based on true events that occurred during co-creator Benj Pasek's time in high school when a student died of a drug overdose. Like in “Dear Evan Hansen,” people claimed to have known the student in attempts to include themselves in the tragic narrative.
#4: The Show Has A Strong Social Media Presence
The digital age has caused a shift in how musical theatre is marketed - and who it's marketed to. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote the music and lyrics of “Dear Evan Hansen,” are part of a new and young generation of musical theatre writers who try to connect with potential audiences and the existing fanbase through contemporary and innovative forms. They're active on several social media platforms and encourage fans to record covers of “Dear Evan Hansen”'s popular songs. Since technology and social media are themes addressed in the show itself, it seems appropriate that the creators are using the medium for promotion.
#3: It Has Already Beaten “Hamilton” in Some Ways
While “Dear Evan Hansen” has a long way to go before it outpaces the modern Broadway darling “Hamilton”, it's already on track to be a huge success. The original cast recording of “Dear Evan Hansen” debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, even higher than “Hamilton”'s, which started at number 12. In fact, no cast album has started out with this much success since the 1960s. While the two productions share very few things in common, it looks like “Hansen” may be able to reach equal levels of success.
#2: You Should Recognize the Cast
Whether you're a Broadway fan or not, “Dear Evan Hansen” features some faces from your favourite films and TV shows. Ben Platt, who plays the eponymous Evan Hansen, previously acted in a big screen musical franchise you may have seen called “Pitch Perfect” as Benji the magician and eventual Treblemakers member. His singing chops were obvious, and soon after he starred in “The Book of Mormon” as Elder Cunningham. Another main “Hansen” cast member, Laura Dreyfuss, appeared as Madison McCarthy on Glee in its sixth season. With powerhouse performers like these two, and other stellar cast members to match, this hit is easy to love.
#1: You Already Know & Love the Writing Team
You may not realize it, but the minds behind “Dear Evan Hansen” were instrumental in a lot of recent triumphs. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul not only wrote the music and lyrics for this play; they penned the lyrics for the music of “La La Land,” winning an Academy Award for their work. Book Writer Steven Levenson has worked in TV, including writing several episodes of “Masters of Sex.” Alex Lacamoire, in addition to being musical supervisor for “Hansen,” has worked on several projects, including “Hamilton.” What a team!
