Dear Evan Hansen at Players Club of Swarthmore

by Talia Walters

As soon as the house lights dim and Evan Hansen (played by Micheal Gibson) steps onto the stage, the whole audience instantly can tell that this production will exceed expectations. Dear Evan Hansen, written by Steven Levenson and music/lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul is currently playing at Players Club of Swarthmore in Swarthmore Pennsylvania. It is directed by Anne Marie Scalies and produced by Danielle Marone and Ally Perez. I watched the "Pasek" cast as they tell the story of a high school student, Evan Hansen as he gets lost in a web of his own lies following the suicide of the class “freak”, Connor Murphy (played by Max Keating).

On Evan Hansen’s first day of senior year, he starts to write a letter to himself because he is directed to by his therapist. “Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a good day and here’s why.” As he is writing, his mom Heidi Hansen (played by Liz Murgidi), walks in and tries (and fails) to motivate Evan for his first day. At school, Evan bumps into a few of his classmates, none of which are really his friends, as well as his crush Zoe Murphy (played by Isabella Box). As the school day finally finishes, Evan goes to the computer lab where Connor Murphy also happens to be. Connor notices that Evan has a cast on his arm and questions how he broke his arm. Evan responds saying that he had fallen out of a tree. Connor laughs and then offers to sign his cast. After he signs the cast, he finds Evan’s letter to himself and sees the mention of his sister Zoe. He immediately screams at Evan and eventually walks out with the letter. The next day, Evan is called into the principals office where Larry (played by Brian Walden) and Cynthia Murphy (played by Elizabeth Wheeler) are sitting, waiting for Evan. They reveal that Connor has committed suicide and left him a note, impying that they were best friends. In reality, it is Evan’s letter to himself. When Evan consults his “family friend” Jared (played by Will Bryan), he tells Evan to just confirm whatever they say and not to make anything up. The rest of the musical follows Evan not listening to Jared’s advice and making up an elaborate story about his supposed friendship with Connor. He even goes as far as to start a fundraiser called The Connor Project, with the help of Jared and his other classmate Alanna (played by Amaya Howard). Dear Evan Hansen contains suggestive dialogue, heavy suicide mention, and mentions of drug use. These themes work really well to deliver the overall message of how powerful and dangerous social media can be.

The first actor that I want to talk about is, of course, Micheal Gibson. His version of Evan feels more self aware and feels less like he is being put on a pedestal which is really refreshing. His vocals are outstanding and “Words Fail” had me in tears. His emotions seem so intentional and so real. Along with his more emotional parts, his comedic lines are hitting every time and has the audience dying of laughter. The next actor I want to acknowledge is Liz Murgidi who is such a great Heidi. Besides her great facial expressions and wonderful physicality, her vocals are so powerful. Her “Good for You” makes me so happy and just overall speechless because it is such a great song and hearing it in her voice is the cherry on top. Her chemistry with Gibson is so strong and both actors look so comfortable and natural with each other. Isabella Box’s Zoe is very true to the role. Seeing her perform the role makes me truly believe that Zoe is meant for her. Her emotions are so sincere and there is never a moment that she is out of character even in the slightest. Her “Requiem” is so beautifully sung and so emotional as well as her and Gibson’s “Only Us” which also showed the great chemistry between the two. Max Keating as Connor Murphy is another perfect match. His comedic moments are hilarious which is surprising for such a misunderstood and almost cruel character. His most memorable line is in response to Evan’s “I fell out of a tree,” where he responds with “What are you, an acorn?” His vocals are also very strong especially during “Disappear”. Brian Walden’s Larry is so quietly impressive. His ability to play such a cold and distanced role, specifically in act one, while still being engaged and not looking bored is such a hard thing to master and he definitely has. His “To Break in a Glove” packs so much emotion in such a subtle way and it is truly powerful. Elizabeth Wheeler as Cynthia Murphy is yet again, a perfect match. Her raw emotions throughout the show are so moving and really contribute to the story. Her opposing dynamic to Walden’s Larry is so strong and also contributes a lot to the story. Will Bryan is such a hilarious Jared. Everything that comes out of his mouth sounds so naturally snarky and unhinged that it sounds unscripted. What makes his performance even better is the surprising vocals that he delivers in “Good for You”. Not only were his harmonies strong and projected well but his solo part was so powerful. Additionally, Amaya Howard as Alanna is similar in that you do not expect such powerful vocals at first but as soon as she sings, her emotion is so obvious in her voice. I really enjoy the clear tactics she shows whenever she is on stage. As far as the ensemble (Erin Corey, Nina Kilgore, Ari MacDonald, Danielle Marone, Gloria Rose, and Shawn Weaver), at first it is easy to wonder what place dancing has in a show like Dear Evan Hansen. The presence of choreography in this production helps to tell the story in such a beautiful way. I especially enjoy the choreography that is in “Requiem”. These ensemble members are so talented in their vocals, expressions, and dancing abilities.

How can I even begin to discuss these amazing behind the scenes elements? Firstly, the music (directed by Jeff Smith and assisted by Shawn Weaver). From the amazing harmonies you hear onstage to the beautiful instrumentals from the pit, they are the talented individuals behind it. Besides the music, the sound (designed by Lee Longenberger and operated by Micaela Morgan) adds so much more to the story such as incorporating notification noises to further push the impact of social media. Next, the beautiful and unique choreography by Karla Bradley Manhard (and assisted by Nina Kilgore). The two do a wonderful job of showing the heavy emotions in this show through powerful dance pieces. Another person who heavily contributes to conveying the emotions of this show is Julie Zaffarano, the Intimacy Coordinator. All of the raw and beautiful moments between so many different characters are so wonderfully created by her and feel so incredibly realistic. Next, the costumes (designed by Mikayla Cook) were so original but also true to the roles. I really love how Evan does not spend the whole show in his classic blue striped polo. I also especially love the ensemble costumes because it gives all the different ensemble characters their own stories and personality. Of course the world of Dear Evan Hansen could not be brought to life without the set. The set (designed by Anne Marie Scalies and Phil Vecchioli and built by Greg Cream, Allison Miller, Ed Robins, Phil Vecchioli, Will Bryan, Mike Sokolowski, and Dave Zaffarano) is so simplistic but helps demonstrate the impact of social media by displaying social media icons all over the set. The rolling set pieces that are incorporated are also very impressive and help move the story along smoother. And who makes the show run as smoothly as it does better than the Stage Manager (J. Tyler Atkinson), Assistant Stage Manager (Chas Thomas), the Run Crew (Eric Raymond, Haze, and Moriah Spector) and the Stage Crew (Ann Bacharach, Amy Goldman, and Cyrus Knower)? This production is one of the smoothest shows I have ever seen. There are no scene changes that are drawn out. Each scene flows into the next. The props, (designed by Katie Vannewkirk) especially the phones, are so well thought out. The lighting from the phone screens make such a powerful effect especially paired with dimmed lights. Speaking of lights, the lighting (designed by J. Tyler Atkinson and Patrick Murray and operated by J. Tyler Atkinson with Master Electrician Alan Stamford and Electricians George Mulford, Bruce Nutting and Jimmy Psitos) works so well with the set as well as the varying moods throughout the show. I especially liked the separated colors during phone call scenes such as pink on stage right for Alanna and blue on stage left for Evan. Another huge element of bringing this world to life is the projections (designed by Justin Walsh and Projections Technician Dave Sibley). The text message projections before the show starts are so fun and attention catching. The projections are super impressive and add a lot to the rest of the set. Last, but certainly not least, the direction of this production is so amazing. The Director, Anne Marie Scalies, as well as the Assistant Director, Danielle Lachall, take this production to the next level. One thing that I specifically want to point out that I love is that instead of Jared and Evan being on a phone call during some points of the show, they play video games and talk over voice chat. I think that is so creative and such a fun detail that further humanizes these characters and helps them be more relatable to the audience.

I would absolutely recommend this production of Dear Evan Hansen to anyone. This story is such an important one that needs to be told. Before you go see it, please check out their Instagram @pcs_theater (marketing by Abby Schechter, Nina Kilgore, Jeff Martin, and Anne Marie Scalies). Please show some love to the equally as amazing Paul cast as well which features the same actor as Jared and Alanna (Evan Hansen - Landyn Pollard, Heidi Hansen - Rebecca Boswell, Zoe Murphy - Serena Barone, Connor Murphy - Dylan Attas, Larry Murphy - Rob Henry, Cynthia Murphy - Deirdre McGettigan Henry). You can catch this production from now until October 3rd! Get your tickets at: https://a.af/had9g. And if you remember anything from this show, remember you will be found.