Dear Evan Hansen
★★★★☆ Impressive
Playhouse: Tue 1 – Sat 5 Jul 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Dear Evan Hansen has become one of the most successful musicals of recent years, and the Nottingham Playhouse’s touring version has all of the impact of a big theatrical event.
The production – presented with ATG and Gavin Kalin – might be on the last leg of a huge tour, as it arrives at the Edinburgh Playhouse where it is sitting down until Saturday, but remains exceptionally fresh and vibrant.
Ryan Kopel, Tom Dickerson and Killian Thomas Lefevre in Dear Evan Hansen. Pic: Marc Brenner.
The 2016 musical has music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Steven Levenson.
Evan is a socially awkward, friendless high school student who is mistakenly thought to have been a close friend of Connor, another student who has committed suicide. Evan fails to put things straight, then events spiral out of his control as Connor’s family look to him for answers.
There is certainly scope for criticism of how depression, anxiety and teen suicide are depicted, but the production generally treats the subject matter with more care and tact than you would have any right to expect from a big-budget musical.
quality
And there is no doubting the quality of some of the songs, which have been seen on Edinburgh stages from Showcase, the Bohemians, the Gang Show and others long before the musical itself ever got here.
There are undoubtedly problems with the structure of the piece; the memorable numbers are predominantly in the first half. While the musical’s heart is in the right place, the plot, with its woolly explorations of ‘belonging’ or the pros and cons of social media, is rather straightforward.
Alice Fearn, Richard Hurst, Lauren Conroy, Helen Anker and Ryan Kopel in Dear Evan Hansen. Pic: Marc Brenner.
The second act becomes bogged down in the workings out of that plot, and struggles to find a satisfactory conclusion. However, this production manages to sustain considerable momentum through impressive staging and fine performances.
Central to this is Ryan Kopel as Evan. The character is an anti-hero; his failure to tell the truth, largely because he gains from what happens as a result, is always likely to prove divisive. Certainly the character’s unsympathetic side was one of the factors cited by critics of the notably unsuccessful film adaptation.
commanding physicalit
However, Kirriemuir-born Kopel (and yes, before you ask, he’s the grandson of Dundee United great Frank) gives the character considerable sympathy. It is an outstanding performance, displaying real humour, subtly used vocal power, and a commanding physicality (the head-bobbing tics are never overused).
Glenrothes native Lauren Conroy plays Connor’s sister and Evan’s crush Zoe. Conroy, like Kopel, is excellent at conveying emotion without histrionics, in another extremely impressive performance.
Lauren Conroy and Ryan Kopel in Dear Evan Hansen. Pic: Marc Brenner.
Will Forgrove, understudying for Killian Thomas Lefevre as Connor, is energetic and convincing. His contribution to Sincerely Me alongside Kopel and Todd Dickerson’s drily cynical turn as Evan’s ‘family friend’ Jared is a particular highlight.
The rest of the cast are equally impressive. Alice Fearn is suitably emotional as Evan’s mother Heidi, Richard Hurst and Helen Anker have the requisite brittle desolation as Connor’s parents, and Vivian Panka gives Evan’s needy classmate Alana considerable nuance.
Indeed, all of the principals give depth and humanity to even those characters that otherwise might seem stereotypical.
notably underused
They are backed up by an ensemble who seem notably underused and have surprisingly little time on stage. They are surely there partly to provide the cover necessary for a long and demanding tour, but it is a shame they are not better used – which would also have given more prominence to Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s inventive choreography.
The cast of Dear Evan Hansen. Pic Marc Brenner.
When the full cast do appear on stage, the effect is striking. The Act One closer, the musical’s most celebrated song You Will Be Found, is a stunning piece of theatre. This is greatly helped by Adam Penford’s direction, considered and fluid throughout, and by the video design of Ravi Deepres and Morgan Large. Large is also responsible for the impressively versatile set.
Matt Daw’s lighting and Tom Marshall’s sound design add considerably to the spectacle. The sound balance in particular, is spot on; both the nine-piece band under MD Michael Bradley are pin-sharp, and all of the words are crystal-clear.
compelling theatricality
It is certainly possible to quibble with the material – some of it is already looking dated, and the way the storyline is handled will always turn some off. But it must be said that a production that is nearly three hours long simply flies by, thanks to its compelling theatricality and excellent performances.
Running time 2 hours 50 minutes including one interval
Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 July 2025
Daily at 7.30 pm; Matinees Wed & Sat at 2.30 pm
Details and tickets: Book here.
Ryan Kopel and Lauren Conroy in Dear Evan Hansen. Pic: Marc Brenner.
ENDS
