Find why Broadway’s latest sensation has resonated with so many

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Stephen Christopher Anthony as Evan Hansen and the North American touring company of “Dear Evan Hansen.” (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When a show comes to town with six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, you know the local theater community will be excited.

But “Dear Evan Hansen” is more than your average “theater show.”

It’s a contemporary play in theme and message with an ability to reach a wide section of audiences, said Meghan Distel, the new president & CEO of Broadway Grand Rapids.

“It has impacted so many people around the world because its message touches so many, so deeply,” Distel said. “We’re really excited about it. It has such a huge fan base. It’s a highlight of the season for sure.”

Less than 2,000 tickets remain for the eight performances over six days (May 3-8) at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the current Broadway Grand Rapids season. But there are tickets availab;e for all shows, she said.

Also, it was announced last week that $25 lottery tickets will be offered digitally to fans. The digital lottery will begin accepting entries today for all performances until 9 a.m. local time the day before the performance. Fans who have been selected will be notified daily via email and can then purchase up to two (2) tickets at $25 each. More details are available at www.luckyseat.com/dearevanhansen.

The show is described as a “deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.” Through powerful music and lyrics, it puts a spotlight on mental health and grief.

Stephen Christopher Anthony as Evan Hansen and Jessica E.-Sherman-as Heidi Hansen. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

It tells the story of Evan Hansen, who is an anxiety-ridden high school senior, who is tasked by his therapist to write letters to himself in an effort to boost his self-confidence.

“At the end of the day we all struggle with moments of fitting in, and we have moments of sometimes doing the right thing,” said Distel, adding that the show’s strength is showing the “human side” of life.

And we see it from many different angles, Distel said, including the parent perspective because “there is no guide book for this…Parenting is a tough business.”

It’s a show for everyone struggling through the digital age.

“It’s all what we’re dealing with today, in terms of the world we live in and how we connect to each other,” Distel said. “People will find pieces they connect with,…it’s something that stays with you.”

The music is great, she added. The cast is powerful, too.

“It’s an intimate show,” she said. “People will walk away profoundly impacted.”

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.