Dear Evan Hansen - WKTV Journal

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s been a heck of a week!

We celebrated Star Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo, which were so much fun. And this weekend is the beginning of a beautiful stretch of weather as the forecast calls for 80-degrees next week.

We may as well keep the party going.

Lucky are the hundreds who will be attending this weekend’s sold out Taco & Tequila Festival at LMCU Ballpark. I was just asked to be a judge, so you know I’ll be having a good time.

What else is going on? Let’s run down my Top 5 picks, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

The Stray Cafe, located at 4253 Division Ave., Wyoming, is where the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project will take place on Feb. 24. (Supplied)

5. WKTV Voices Storytelling Night at The Stray Café

Do you love stories? Hanging out with friends? Meeting new people? Tonight is the return of the WKTV Voices Storytelling Night at The Stray Café in Grand Rapids. We have several people already signed up to tell their story. In 6 minutes they will share a tidbit about their lives. It could be funny, inspiring or compelling. It’s up to the storyteller. We’re also taking last-minute signups at the event. It’s free to attend. Come on out. I’ll be there. The event begins at 7 tonight (May 6) at The Stray, 4253 Division Ave S Suite A. More info at https://wktvvoices.org/voices-storytelling-at-the-stray/.

Brooks & Dunn perform at Van Andel Arena. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)

4. Van Andel Arena Concerts

Two big shows are on tap this weekend:

Brooks & Dunn return tonight (May 6) with a boot, scootin’ boogie good time with opening acts Jon Pardi and Tyler Booth. With 20 No. 1 hits stretching back to 1991, you’ll know all the songs, including “Believe,” “My Maria,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and many more.

Sting is back for a show on Saturday (May 7) with special guest Joe Sumner. I’m not sure what to say. It’s Sting! That means every song is memorable. According to press material, Sting’s “’My Songs’ concert is an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career, both with The Police and as a solo artist.” That also means classics such as “Fields of Gold,” “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Message In A Bottle” and many more.

Learn more about each show at www.vanandelarena.com.

3. Star Wars Day at John Ball Zoo

Good news, “Star Wars” Fans. Even if you forgot to wear your favorite shirt on May the 4th (I know two people who did that), you can still celebrate this weekend with a special event on Saturday (May 7) at John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids. Organizers said: “Dress as your favorite character from the Star Wars saga to come learn about the creatures in our galaxy and if you’re lucky, you might just see Luke Skywalker roaming the Zoo.” Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for Star Wars Day at the Zoo! More info at https://www.jbzoo.org/starwarsday.

2. Tulip Time Festival

It’s time to celebrate Dutch heritage, and tulips, in Holland as Tulip Time returns over eight days with activities in different locations, most within a 4-mile radius of downtown Holland. Tulips can be seen for no charge in public parks and along downtown streets. Overall, more than six million tulips are blooming throughout the city and area attractions. Several ticketed events also are planned, too. Plus, they have parades! To see a complete schedule go to https://www.tuliptime.com/. It runs through May 15.

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

1.“Dear Evan Hansen”

Yes, it’s contemporary, which means references to social media, viral videos, the Internet, chats, etc. But to me, this show is about the basic human nature to be loved, needed and valued as a person. It’s the story about a teenager, Evan Hansen, who doesn’t fit in at school or at home. He struggles mightily. And he gets caught up in a spiral of events that could be his breaking point. In an interview with Meghan Distel of Broadway Grand Rapids, which is presenting the show through Sunday (May 8) at DeVos Performance Hall, she said the musical drama has a “lasting impact” on you. She’s spot on. Even if you can’t attend, find someone who did. Do some research. Stream it on TV. Someone out there needs you. It could be you. Learn more about the show at broadwaygrandrapids.com.

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

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

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.

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

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.”