Review Roundup: DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Arena Stage

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, presents DEAR EVAN HANSEN, which runs through August 23 at the Kreeger Theater. The original musical, featuring a score by Tony Award nominees Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Broadway's A Christmas Story, The Musical; Dogfight), a book by Steven Levenson (Masters of Sex) and directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Broadway's Rent, Next to Normal, If/Then), is a contemporary, intimate story of hope, heartache and the things in life we all need-friends, family and a place to call home.

Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, Broadway's The Book of Mormon) stars in the title role. Platt is joined by Rachel Bay Jones(Broadway's Pippin), Laura Dreyfuss (Glee, Broadway's Once), Tony Award nominee Jennifer Laura Thompson(Broadway's Wicked, Urinetown) and Emmy Award winner Michael Park (As the World Turns, Broadway's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). Rounding out the company are Mike Faist (Broadway's Newsies), Alexis Molnar (59E59's Harbor) andWill Roland (Center Theatre Group's The Black Suits).

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Jennifer Perry, BroadwayWorld: The production's greatest asset is Pasek and Paul's music. The pop-rock score soars from the first downbeat to the last. "This'll Be the Year" sets a strong tone for the show and is well-sung by the entire company. While many of the numbers are what would essentially be called power ballads, there are enough of other styles employed to avoid a sense of music sameness. Some examples might be the frenetic "Sincerely, Me," (partnered well with Danny Mefford's equally frenetic choreography) and the lovely, tender, and emotional "Words Fail." Lyric-wise, a primary focus is to explore how a character is feeling at a given moment, whether feeling invisible ("Waving Through a Window"), feeling grief ("Requiem"), or stress ("Disappear"). As the idea of emotional response to events is central to the show, it's reasonable that the lyrics focus so heavily on these issues. There is a sense of lyric sameness at times - as least in terms of the ideas expressed - but not to the level that it detracts from the quality work that Pasek and Paul put forth.

Keith Loria, DC Theatre Scene: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's ((A Christmas Story, Dogfight) score is deeply moving, and works to keep the story building at a lively pace. The one song that seemed a bit out of place was "So Big/So Small," although it was sung incredibly by Rachel Bay Jones (Evan's mom, Heidi). It went on a bit long and was a bit too somber. It's one that I think will have to be reconsidered before a Broadway run. And make no mistake about it, this show is exactly what Broadway needs right now. With Hamilton proving that audiences were starved for something original and somewhat daring, Dear Evan Hansen should have no problem attracting a crowd. I suggest getting your tickets while you can because this is a can't-miss DC musical of 2015.

Photo Credit: Margot Schulman

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