Some productions are so special that theatregoers can get the gist of the story from the get go. I certainly did when Dear Evan Hansen came to the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening.
Ryan Kopel in the lead role as troubled high school kid, Evan, brought the gawky, angst-ridden, awkward, nerdy, coy, friendless teen to life so perfectly, words can’t begin to describe just how talented this young actor is.
Everything about Kopel’s performance kept us, in the packed theatre, spellbound, as we followed his accidental journey of lies, lies and more lies.
Evan lives with his mum Heidi (Lara Beth-Sas), whose busy work schedule often means her son is left alone for long stretches of time. He’s old enough, so no big deal. Or is it?
Undergoing treatment from his doctor for his social anxiety, Evan is encouraged to write himself a letter each day, starting “Dear Evan Hansen, Today is going to be a good day. And here’s why …”
His school days consist of being bullied, mocked and ignored by everyone, even his friend Jared (Daniel Forrester) only gives him the time of day because of a family connection.
Evan is 17 years old, an age in which social media plays a huge part in gauging how popular you are with your peers (thank goodness it wasn’t around when I was that age).
With his broken arm in plaster, not one of his school mates will sign it – until bad boy Connor Murphy (Killian Thomas Lefevre), asks Evan for a Sharpie, with which he writes CONNOR right across the white plaster.
It’s done in spite, of course, and we all know nothing good comes from that.
Evan’s crush on Connor’s sister Zoe (Lauren Conroy) leads him to include his feelings in his next Dear Evan Hansen letter – and it’s this letter that leads to Evan’s pursuit of trying to fit in socially, having tragic consequences.
As his lies get more outlandish and he panics after realising fake emails he created about his “relationship” with Connor will be posted online for the world to read, his personality changes, but not for the better.
Relationships become strained, especially with his mum and Connor’s parents (Cynthia and Larry Murphy – Helen Anker and Richard Hurst), secrets are revealed, hearts are broken and his precocious classmate Alana (Vivian Panka) is left totally gobsmacked by his actions.
Can Evan pluck up the courage to right his wrongs?
This story of our social media times plays out on a glorious stage setting with a backdrop of sliding glass panels, upon which images are projected periodically. A reflective border surrounds the stage, lighting up at times making the space look much bigger.
Costumes are everyday jeans, T-shirts, back-packs and so on; no need for anything fancy.
The 15 songs featured, by Oscar-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, were unknown to me, but were each magnificently sung by all concerned, and accompanied by stirring music emanating from musicians in the orchestra pit.
This brand-new production, directed by Adam Penford, gives a nod to mental health issues among 17 to 19-year olds, with NHS figures revealing 23% of that age group to be affected, in 2023. Maybe the story will resonate with the many teens in the audience on Tuesday evening and perhaps help them to recognise a classmate in trouble.
We theatregoers were totally gripped by the Dear Evan Hansen experience, thanks to a wonderful cast who acted and sang their hearts out – none more so than my new favourite actor, Ryan Kopel. A standing ovation was never in any doubt when he took his finale bow.
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 22nd April 2025
North West End UK Rating: