REVIEW: 'Dear Evan Hansen' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- We Talk Theatre
- Oct 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2024
Review from - October 23rd, 2024 (Press Invite)
Please Note - The role of Evan Hansen was played by Lawrence Hawkins
Pictured: The Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Photo by Daniel Boud
Dear Evan Hansen - you either love it or you hate it.
A lot of people have very strong feelings against this show; whether it be the plot or the nepotism, some people just love to shout about why this musical isn’t perfect. But isn’t that the entire point of the show? Not being perfect? Making mistakes and growing from them? Anyway, Dear Evan Hansen is a pretty talked about show, and this production will undoubtedly make any hater rethink their decision.
I will admit, as a die-hard fan of the original production, It did take me awhile to warm up to the reimagined portrayals of the characters and the production as a whole.
At the start, Lawrence Hawkins’ Evan Hansen felt overly physical rather than the subtle and shy guy we know Evan to be - but I assume this just goes back to having to be real over-the-top in theatre (and we were sitting pretty close to the stage so we could see all the tiny details anyway). During the performance Hawkins clearly got more comfortable in the role, and by the end of the show you wouldn't think twice if somebody told you he was direct from playing the role on Broadway.
All the cast were utterly incredible - with a stand-out performance being Jake Rozario as (the insanely cool) Jared Kleinman. From the second Rozario walked onto stage, they were unrecognisable from previous works and completely and utterly locked in as Jared. They supplied what were easily the funniest line deliveries of the show, with a personal favourite being “What are you, like… An acorn?”.
The beautiful Natalie O'Donnell (pictured), as always, provided a truly nuanced and touching performance as Cynthia Murphy performing alongside Martin Crewes as Larry Murphy. Crewes' performance wasn't anything to write home about, but he really shines through from the end of the first act onwards, once Larry finally comes to terms with the death of his son.
Georgia Laga'aia provides us a touching performance as Zoe Murphy, and Verity Hunt-Ballard has a stand-out moment as Heidi Hansen in her power song 'Good For You'.
Pictured (L-R): Georgia Laga’aia (Zoe), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Heidi), Beau Woodbridge (Evan), Natalie O’Donnell (Cynthia) and Martin Crewes (Larry)
Photo by Daniel Boud
The production design for this show is seriously impeccable. People always assume that costuming a show where people just wear casual clothes is an easy task because you just chuck them in whatever, but reality is that every tiny detail is sooooo important; from colours, to the fit, to the contrast against other characters' clothes - it all matters immensely. And look, It is pretty hard to say goodbye to Evan’s iconic blue polo shirt (I wore mine to the show… just for the memories) but I respect the designers for braving the norm and forging their own path with Evan Hansen. In saying this, I am curious whether the designers chose to stray from the classic polo or if it was specified in the show licensing that they couldn't recreate any design aspects from the Broadway/West End production… Who knows!
I can confidently say that this production’s ’You Will Be Found’ does not even COMPARE to previous versions of the number. Everything about this staging; the acting, the direction, the design… THE DESIGN! I genuinely cannot go any further without absolutely RAVING about the front screen that comes in and out during the major musical numbers. This screen adds an entire other layer to the stage, allowing performers to interact with projections happening in front of them rather than just behind. Being able to visualise these characters engulfing themselves in this virtual world is something that previous productions have more-or-less failed in, but it truly shines in this staging.
Pictured: The Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Photo by Daniel Boud
Dean Bryant is an utter genius and he has struck gold with this cast. This production is absolutely rave-worthy and you can 110% believe the hype. I look forward to returning to Sydney's Roslyn Packer Theatre in the coming weeks and watching this masterclass production unfold in front of me all over again, I'd love to be able to catch Beau in this role of a lifetime too.
Australia, do not miss DEAR EVAN HANSEN.
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Review by Seb Smee
Produced by We Talk Theatre
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