THEATRE REVIEW: "Dear Evan Hansen" at the Nederlander Theatre (Chicago, IL)

      On the afternoon of February 20, 2019, I went to see the Steven Levenson /  Benj Pasek / Justin Paul musical "Dear Evan Hansen" at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, IL.  The National Tour was in town for what I thought was a sold-out four-week run, but I was able to buy a ticket for under a hundred bucks.  I think I was able to get a ticket because it was a Wednesday matinee performance, and the alternate would be performing the main role.  Sure enough, when I received my playbill, there was an insert saying that Stephen Christopher Anthony would be playing the role usually played by Ben Levi Ross.  Also, Maria Wirries, who was an understudy at the time, played the role of Alana Beck that day. Maggie McKenna, Jessica Phillips, Christiane Noll, Marrick Smith, Aaron Lazar, and Jared Goldsmith also starred in the production the day I saw the show.  

     While I immensely enjoyed the show, I wasn't all that impressed with David Korins' scenic design.  If was pretty basic and relied on furniture moving onto stage on platforms.  The use of lighting, sound, and video was an obvious distraction from the lack of impressive scenery.  So I guess I'm more of a fan of Peter Nigrini's production design. 

An ad from the Trib for the Premiere Chicago Engagement of "Dear Evan Hansen," not long before the Oriental Theatre was renamed the James M. Nederlander Theatre 

  

     Even though the musical has an overall decent message to deliver, I found it scary how the majority of the main characters would lie about their association with someone, while using technology to spread those lies without giving it a second thought.  Yet, I suppose it soon became apparent to them that what they were doing was spinning out of control--since the entire world knew who they were.  

    

      

     When there is a lot of hype surrounding a new Broadway musical, I cannot help but want to see it.  "Dear Evan Hansen" was no exception.  Since there was hype, I was by no means the only person who wanted to see the show.  Anyway, an eight-week return engagement of "Dear Evan Hansen" was scheduled for July 7th through September 27th, 2020,  but because of the pandemic, it was canceled and wasn't rescheduled until December 6th through 31st 2022.  

     

A photo I took of the theatre marquee, not long after the Oriental Theatre was renamed.

     "Dear Evan Hansen" had its World Premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C.  The Production ran from July 30th through August 23rd, 2015.  The first preview performance was on July 10th of that year.  "Dear Evan Hansen" then had its off-Broadway premiere at the Second Stage Theatre on May 1st, 2016 and ran until May 29th of that year.  The first preview performance of the off-Broadway production was on March 26th, 2016.  The Broadway Production of "Dear Evan Hansen" premiered at the Music Box Theatre on December 4th, 2016 and will close on September 18th, 2022.  The first preview performance was on November 14th, 2016.  

   It goes without saying that "Dear Evan Hansen" was not my favorite musical.  That doesn't mean I wanted the Broadway Production to close.  While what the characters in the show did (utilizing technology and social media in the process) was based on a lie, it was for a good cause and they meant well.  I think I was weary about the profound impact of social media in "Dear Evan Hansen," because I was mindful that social media can, and often is, utilized with intentions that aren't necessarily good, so to speak.  That in turn, made me realize I was no one to judge--for a handful of reasons.

 ** If you would like to listen to the Original Broadway Cast Recording of "Dear Evan Hansen," click HERE