The hit Broadway musical, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is a simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming show, that takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, by touching upon the agonies and of youth, including depression, suicide, anxiety, heartbreak and loneliness.


The musical has won 6 Tony awards and 1 Grammy and has just opened in the West End in the Nöel Coward theatre. The story by Steven Levenson tells the story of 17 year old Evan Hansen, a high school senior, who suffers from severe social anxiety. His doctor urges him to write himself encouraging letters to help him see some light in his life. School bully Connor Murphy gets his hands on one of Evans letters about his love for his sister Zoë Murphy, shortly before he kills himself. They Murphy parents find the letter in Connors pocket and assume that the letter was legitimately meant for Evan, since it was addressed to him. In a panic, Evan agrees to the proposition that he and Connor were friends and subsequently creates an entire forged relationship with him. He is received warmly by the rest of the Murphy family, who treat him as if he is their own son. Things spiral out of control when Evan’s memorial tribute to Connor goes viral and he must find a way out of his web of lies.


This emotional story was done absolute justice by the broadway cast, starring Andrew Barth Feldman as Evan, and Gabrielle Carrubba as Zoe. The show was constantly captivating and left the audience on the edge of their seats for the entire duration. Evan repeatedly entangling himself into a web of lies proved hard to watch for the audience as they yearned for him to stop on him internally destructive rampage and tell the truth. The themes of the play, although challenging for some audience members, proved pertinent in today’s society, touching on the power of social media and also the problems of contemporary youth.


The simplistic set aided the performance, with panels on stage being used as tablet screens, showing social media posts and simple roll on dining room sets to represent the different households. The most effective technical aspect for me, was the lighting  which would often be a spotlight straight on Evan to highlight is isolation.


However the most incredible part of this show is Pasek and Paul’s extraordinary score that marries poetic and poignant lyrics with beautiful melodies. For me, standout songs in the show were : Requiem, Words fail, Only us and So Big, So Small. 


Overall I would give the show 5 stars, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to anyone above 10 years old. You will love this show regardless of whether you are a fan of musicals, there is something for everyone in this show. So, for a meaningful, witty and emotional spectacular, go and see ‘ Dear Evan Hansen’ at either the Music Box theatre, New York City or the Nöel Coward theatre, London.


By Emily Phillips- Lady Eleanor Holles