REVIEW | Dear Evan Hansen, UK tour - Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
- Harry Brogan
- Apr 9
- 5 min read
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
TW/CW: contains references to suicide and mental health issues.
The Award winning West End and Broadway hit musical Dear Evan Hansen arrives in Sheffield this week as part of its first ever UK tour. Fans of the show should know that this production of Dear Evan Hansen is a non-replica / brand-new production of the original which played on Broadway back in 2016-2022 and in the West End from 2019-2022.
Dear Evan Hansen follows anxious high schooler Evan who just wants to fit in. With an assignment from therapy to write letter to himself, one letter leads to Evan not telling the truth, which leads him into a host of more untruths, which builds a life he's dreamed of, but as the truth starts to unravel, Evan must come to face up to the truth in finally tell everyone around him what the truth is.
Written by Steven Levenson, music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul this production is directed by Adam Penford and choreographed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille.
Adam Penford directs this non-replica production well. Though it does have its faults. Penford's production brings a new addition to the show of having an ensemble of 6, the ensemble brings a new take to the hit show but the addition left me a feeling a little mixed. There are likeable moments such as showing individuals on social media responding to events that have happened, and other school students, which yes felt like a nice addition and did bring something new, but unfortunately it felt unnecessary and sometimes for me it took away the emotional impact. While also this new addition felt a little under used where the ensemble could of been used more such as during corridor scenes.
Penford directs nice moments between Evan (Ryan Kopel) and Zoe Murphy (Lauren Conroy) which show their bond clearly forming, as well as moments being heartfelt such as during the shows final scene. However, Penford's direction did cause a little confusion at times on whether the characters were either in the same room together or talking via online.
But with that being said Penford produces many moments of tension such as between Evan (Ryan Kopel) and Connor (Killian Thomas Lefevre) for example, near to the end of the show with Evan telling the truth, this had a good level of emotion and showing the Murphy family finding out it was all a lie, especially with the reaction from Larry and Cynthia Murphy (Richard Hurst and Helen Anker). Penford also directs the slight comedy moments well. Overall Penford tries to create a new take of the hit show which yes, the direction does have its good elements which shows the themes of mental health, and struggling to come to terms with a loss, but sometimes it caused confusion and has a mix usage with the new addition, with also occasionally Act 2's pacing feeling slightly slow at times.
Materially Dear Evan Hansen is pleasing with a book by Steven Levenson, the book is essentially the same from its original productions, Levenson writes well written characters. With Levenson writing Evan's struggles with mental health with care. Levenson also writes a determined character for Alana Beck (Vivian Panka) and a caring and hardworking mum in Heidi Hansen (Alice Fearn). Levenson's book has scenes of good strong engage-able dialogue that has emotion such as the shows opening monologue, with also having intensity at times such as when Evan finds out Connor has gone. Levenson also writes dialogue with slight humour which gets some laughter from the audience but doesn't overshadow the main themes. Overall Levenson creates a great book for the shows numbers written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to be placed and help carry the plot along, Levenson tackles the themes of social media and mental health well throughout with the book having quality and tackles the themes of today.
Music and Lyric writers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, brilliantly write fantastic music and lyrics, there's a lot to like here from slow numbers such as 'So Big/ So Small' to upbeat numbers like 'Sincerely, Me' to the shows most well-known numbers 'You Will Be found', that is a power number. Lyrically it's hard hitting and very touching and musically it builds very well which results in bringing an emotive finish to Act 1. Pasek and Paul write genuinely with writing 'Requiem' that shows each of the Murphy's sides of grief. Pasek and Paul writes impressive music and lyrics that suit Levenson's book with numbers being loved by many theatre fans of all ages.
Ryan Kopel plays the title role of 'Evan Hansen' Kopel is likeable in the role, and is vocally brilliant showing a great performance during the number 'For Forever'. Kopel shows a good character throughout with also having an excellent stage presence, Kopel has a good connection with other members of the cast especially in scenes with Lauren Conroy and Alice Fearn which create nice performances throughout. Kopel gives a sweet but also charming performance.
Alice Fearn proves once again to be a vocal powerhouse. Fearn's vocals are outstanding during 'Good For You' and also 'So Big/ So Small'. Fearn brings a lovely caring nature to the role of Heidi. Fearn's performance is brill when on stage and shows the concern to Evan well. Fearn is outstanding.
A few notable mentions go to Tom Dickerson who played Jared Kleinman who gives a funny but not over the top performance while delivering some of the shows humorous lines and Killian Thomas Lefevre who brings intensity in scenes with Kopel, and Vivan Panka who gives a delightful performance.
Choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Ingrouille makes use of contemporary movement during the shows numbers, but unfortunately for me the choreography took away the powerfulness of the numbers. I get the direction to have choreography that interprets the story through dance and yes it was performed well by the ensemble, but to me it caused a struggle to fully take in the lyrics.
The shows set design by Morgan Large is simple and effective with sliding panels and video projection and Matt Daw's lighting being effective too.
Dear Evan Hansen is sure a great musical within its numbers and book. This non-replica brings a new take to the show with new additions that didn't fully deliver what I wanted, resulting in making me unsure and giving mixed feelings, that is not to say it was bad, it wasn't and I did enjoy the show.
The performances are terrific with beautiful vocals all round and the book and lyrics are accomplished. This Production of Dear Evan Hansen delivers something different to its original.
★★★
Dear Evan Hansen plays at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until Saturday 12th of April before continuing its tour.
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