Dear Even Hansen

Photo: How Now Brown Cow Productions

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(⭐)

Artscape Opera House

12 February 2025

That extra star is just for Stuart Brown in the titular role of this Cape Town staging of Dear Evan Hansen.  This show at the Artscape Opera House is a fresh and visually dynamic approach to the acclaimed musical.

Performances were strong across the board. Stuart Brown delivered an exceptional turn as Evan, with outstanding vocal control and emotional depth, fully deserving of the extended standing ovation granted at the end of opening night. Keely Crocker held her own on the vast stage, her voice soaring effortlessly in grieving sister Zoe's shoes. Justin Swartz provided perfectly timed comic relief, balancing the heavier emotional beats, while Ntshikeng Matooane was well-cast as Alana, the slightly awkward, but driven classmate.

Interestingly, the production confined much of the action to the centre and front of the stage, creating an intimate feel but limiting the use of the Opera House’s full space. The crew managed set transitions smoothly, with the revolving stage aiding their efforts to place and move furniture.

While Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply moving musical, the character development in this production left room for more nuance. For much of the show, Evan is difficult to sympathize with, and his moral reckoning arrives almost too late. Zoe, too, could have been given more depth in the writing—her relationship with Evan had the potential to be a stronger force in his eventual confession, but we're left knowing next to nothing about her.

That said, the musical’s core themes of mental health, loneliness, and loss were powerfully conveyed. The impact of suicide, in particular, hit hard, prompting an emotional response from the audience (self-included). These themes remain as relevant as ever, making Dear Evan Hansen not just a performance, but a conversation starter.

A standout feature of the evening was the live band, whose presence was unveiled during the curtain call. The impressive power and precision of their performance made it unbelievable that only eight musicians were behind the show's full, rich sound—executed flawlessly and akin to a professional studio recording.

The set, though minimal, was highly effective, incorporating LED panels in a core to a large mechanical circle, creating an immersive digital world, with an array of lighting fixtures. Small lifted platforms on either side provided structure while the revolving stage allowed for seamless transitions between scenes. The integration of social media projections added a relatable and contemporary touch, reinforcing the story’s themes of online identity and connection, and more often - disconnection.

The circular truss moved up and down, cleverly defining different spaces and heights, while coloured lighting filled the empty stage as a character itself. Lighting designer Niall Griffin took full advantage of the Opera House’s latest technology, crafting striking effects. However, at times, the reliance on shadow and dramatic lighting left parts of the cast obscured, making some moments feel missed.

Ultimately, Dear Evan Hansen at the Artscape Opera House is a visually innovative and emotionally stirring production, with stellar vocals from upcoming talent, proving that this modern musical remains relevant and thought-provoking. Audiences left not just entertained, but introspective, and richer for the experience.