document_title: Dear Evan Hansen

question_text: who sings in good for you dear evan hansen

text: Dear Evan Hansen

text: Background[edit]

text: The musical has its origins in an incident that took place during Pasek's high school years. The musical "takes the notion of a teenager, ... Evan Hansen, who invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn."[2]

text: Synopsis[edit]

text: Act 1[edit]

text: Evan Hansen is a teenager who struggles with severe social anxiety which makes it hard for him to make friends. His therapist recommends that he write letters to himself detailing what will be good about each day. Before the first day of his senior year in high school, his mother, Heidi, suggests that he make new friends by asking people to sign the cast on his arm, which he broke by falling out of a tree over the summer.

text: Across town, the wealthy Murphy family — Cynthia, Larry, and their children Zoe and Connor — sit down to breakfast. Zoe and Larry berate Connor for getting high before school, while Cynthia struggles with the fact that her family is falling apart. The two mothers wonder simultaneously how to connect with their sons ("Anybody Have a Map?").

text: At school, Evan runs into Alana, a smart classmate, and Jared, his only friend. Both Alana and Jared notice his broken arm, but neither signs his cast. Evan then runs into Connor, who interprets Evan's awkwardness as making fun of him, resulting in Connor pushing Evan to the ground. Connor's sister Zoe, whom Evan has a crush on, feels obligated to apologize for her brother's behavior. Evan wonders if this is his destiny – to be ignored and an outcast, for the rest of his life ("Waving Through A Window").

text: Evan writes himself another letter. He states he has given up on it being a good year and how he wonders if anyone would notice if he were not there. He remarks that all his hope is now pinned on Zoe, since his crush on her is the only thing that brings him happiness. While printing the letter in the school's computer lab, he encounters Connor again, now much more subdued than he was in the morning who offers to sign his cast. After signing the cast, he reads Evan's letter (which he grabbed from the printer as a favor) and becomes furious at the mention of Zoe, thinking Evan intended for him to see the letter in order to make fun of him. He storms out, taking the letter with him.

text: Several days pass with no sign of Connor. Evan is in an intense state of anxiety over what Connor might have done with the letter, and tells Jared online about his assignment to write letters to himself, and how he's worried about what Connor might have done with the letter. Later, Evan is called to the principal's office and is told that Connor committed suicide days before, with Evan's letter found in his pocket, which they believe is addressed to him. Evan goes to Connor's house to talk to his mother, and lies, pretending they had been best friends, stating they emailed in secret and recounted a fictional version of the day he broke his arm in which Connor was with him ("For Forever"). Later, Heidi reminds Evan that he needs to begin applying for college scholarships. She mentions hearing about Connor's death, but Evan tells her not to worry and that he didn't know Connor. After realizing he needs evidence of his supposed "secret email account," Evan enlists Jared's help in creating fake, backdated email conversations between himself and Connor ("Sincerely, Me").

text: After Evan shows the Murphy family Connor's 'emails', Cynthia is ecstatic that her son had a friend, but Larry is more hurt that Connor took his family and his privileged life for granted. Zoe, who was alienated by Connor's aggressive behavior, refuses to mourn him at all ("Requiem"). However, after reading the suicide note, Zoe notices that she is mentioned and asks Evan why Connor would say that about her. Evan, unable to tell her the truth, tells her all the reasons he loves her under the guise of Connor saying them ("If I Could Tell Her"). Overcome with emotion, he impulsively kisses Zoe, but she pulls away and tells him to leave.

text: At school, Evan and Alana notice that people are starting to forget about Connor. Spurred on by a vision of Connor, Evan enlists Alana and Jared's help in founding "The Connor Project" — an organization dedicated to keeping Connor's memory alive. The three pitch the idea to the Murphys, who agree to support the project ("Disappear"). Moved by his dedication, Cynthia gives Evan a necktie she had gotten for Connor that he had never worn, and asks Evan to wear it when he speaks at Connor's memorial service. At the official launch of The Connor Project, Evan gives an inspiring speech about his loneliness and friendship with Connor, which goes viral. Zoe, overcome by the impact her brother and Evan have had, kisses him ("You Will Be Found").

text: Act 2[edit]

text: Evan and Alana pitch a fundraising idea on The Connor Project's website. In memory of Connor, they want to raise $50,000 in three weeks to reopen the abandoned apple orchard where Evan and Connor supposedly spent time. Despite Alana's total devotion the project, Evan becomes preoccupied with his new relationship with Zoe and his newfound family in the Murphys, and begins to neglect his mother, Jared, and The Connor Project ("Sincerely, Me (Reprise)").

text: Heidi tells Evan that she saw the video of his speech on Facebook and asks him why he did not tell her about The Connor Project or about his friendship with Connor. He angrily responds that he did not have the time because she is never around. Overcome with emotion, he then rushes off to the Murphys', telling her that he is going to Jared's. At the Murphys', Evan bonds with Larry Murphy and confides in him about his childhood. Larry offers him an old baseball glove of Connor's that was never used ("To Break in a Glove"). Sometime later, at Evan's house, Evan makes an offhand comment to Zoe about how he and his mother do not have much money and he needs scholarships to pay for college. When he begins to mention Connor, Zoe tells him that she does not want their relationship to be about Connor, but about the two of them ("Only Us").

text: Evan gets into a fight with Jared, who claims that Connor's death was the best thing that ever happened to Evan – he is no longer invisible and has landed the girl of his dreams. Later, Evan goes to the Murphys', only to discover they invited Heidi over for dinner. She is mortified to learn they want to give Evan Connor's college fund. At home, Heidi and Evan fight over his secrecy and deception. Evan confesses he feels welcomed and accepted into the Murphy family in lieu of Heidi's absence, while Alana begins to find inconsistencies in the fake emails. Evan then asks Jared to help fix the inaccuracies, but he refuses and threatens to expose Evan, who counters that he could expose Jared's role. Heidi, Alana, and Jared converge in Evan's conscience, compounding his guilt and doubt over his decisions ("Good for You").

text: Evan decides he has to come clean with what he has done. Imaginary Connor attempts to talk him out of it, citing the happiness he has given the Murphys and the fate of Evan's relationship with Zoe, but Evan does not back down, angrily shouting that he needs the whole thing to be over. Connor is unconvinced and asks Evan how he broke his arm: did he fall by accident or actually let go? Evan denies suicidal intent, but Connor tells him that if he tells the truth, all he has will be gone, and the only thing he will be left with is himself. He disappears, leaving Evan alone.

text: Evan goes to apologize to Alana, but she says she has given up on Evan helping her with The Connor Project as she doubts the truth of Evan's repeated statements that he was Connor's best friend. Desperate, Evan says he has proof that they were friends. He shows her the letter to himself that he wrote when he was giving up on having a good year, claiming it to be Connor's suicide note. Realizing that the letter is the key to fulfilling the fundraising goal, Alana posts it online where, to Evan's chagrin, it goes viral. As a result, many people begin to believe Connor's suicide was because of his uncaring, wealthy parents.

text: Evan is distraught and goes to see the Murphys, who have become the targets of hateful comments from people who believe they were responsible for Connor's death. He walks in on the three of them fighting about why Connor really killed himself and finally admits that he fabricated the entire thing, hopeful that he could forge a genuine bond with the Murphys out of the tragedy. As Zoe and her mother tearfully run out, Larry turns away from Evan in disgust. Alone once more, Evan absorbs his perceived brokenness as inescapable ("Words Fail").

text: Evan finds Heidi waiting for him at home. She saw the letter online and immediately knew that it was one of Evan's therapy assignments. She apologizes to Evan for not seeing how badly he had been hurting, though Evan denies her guilt due to his deception. He then vaguely admits that his fall was a suicide attempt. Heidi sits him down and recalls the day that his father moved out and how she felt so small and alone and did not know how she was going to make it by herself. In the end, however, she realized that she was not alone – she had Evan and knew that the two of them could make it through anything so long as they were together. Tearfully, Heidi promises that she will always be there for him when he needs her ("So Big/So Small").

text: A year later, Evan is still living at home and working at Pottery Barn to earn enough money to go to college the next semester. He contacts Zoe, whom he has not seen since the day she found out the truth, and asks if she will agree to meet him. She does, but insists that they meet at the orchard that has been reopened in Connor's memory. He apologizes for the pain he caused her family and admits that he has been reading Connor's ten favorite books after finding a list in an old yearbook in an attempt to connect with who he really was. He also thanks her and her parents for keeping his secret and reveals that they never told anyone else that his friendship with Connor was a lie. She forgives him, saying the whole ordeal brought her family closer together over the past year because "everyone needed it for something." Evan asks her why she insisted on meeting at the orchard, and she replies that she wanted to be sure he saw it, and the two share a gentle moment before they part. Evan mentally writes himself one last letter reflecting on the impact he has had on his community and finally accepts himself ("Finale").

text: Roles and principal casts[edit]

text: Original casts[edit]

text:
Character

Washington, D.C.(2015)

Off–Broadway(2016)

Original Broadway Cast(2016)

National Tour(2018)

Evan Hansen

Ben Platt

Ben Levi Ross

Heidi Hansen

Rachel Bay Jones

Jessica Phillips

Zoe Murphy

Laura Dreyfuss

Maggie McKenna

Cynthia Murphy

Jennifer Laura Thompson

Christiane Noll

Larry Murphy

Michael Park

John Dossett

Michael Park

Aaron Lazar

Connor Murphy

Mike Faist

Marrick Smith

Alana Beck

Alexis Molnar

Kristolyn Lloyd

Phoebe Koyabe

Jared Kleinman

Will Roland

Jared Goldsmith

Evan Hansen (alternate)

N/A

N/A

Michael Lee Brown

Stephen C. Anthony

text: Notable Broadway cast Replacements[edit]

text:
Evan Hansen: Noah Galvin;[3] Taylor Trensch[3]
Connor Murphy: Alex Boniello[4]
Heidi Hansen: Lisa Brescia[5]
Zoe Murphy: Mallory Bechtel
Alana Beck: Phoenix Best
Jared Kleinman: Sky Lakota-Lynch

text: Characters[edit]

text:
Evan Hansen – A high school senior who struggles with severe social anxiety. He is assigned by his therapist to write letters to himself about why each day will be good, which becomes the catalyst for the plot of the story. He also has never had any friends, and has had a crush on Zoe Murphy for a very long time. After Connor's death, he begins to tell lies of him being friends with Connor to the Murphy family because they found Evan's letter to himself folded up in Connor's pocket; they thought Connor wrote it to Evan. The first act centers on his outreach propelled by Connor's death, while the second act has him unleash his yearning towards the Murphys and his anger towards Heidi and Jared, who he believes have used him for validation and ignored him when they didn't need him.
Heidi Hansen – Evan's mother, a nurse's aide who attends paralegal school at night, often leaving Evan on his own as a result. She tries to connect with Evan, but struggles because she doesn't personally understand what he goes through on a daily basis. Having been left by her ex-husband years prior to raise Evan on her own, she exhibits possessive and jealous behavior once she learns of the Murphys' interest in securing Evan's future. However, she comes to see her failings and Evan's concealed sorrow as a wake-up-call not to hide from her son.
Zoe Murphy – Connor's younger sister and Evan's longtime crush. She was never close to Connor, hated him even, but wishes she had known him better and turns to Evan after he lies and says he was friends with Connor. She is initially mad at Evan when he comes clean about the lies, but eventually forgives him.
Cynthia Murphy – Connor and Zoe's stay-at-home mother. She is constantly trying to keep her fragile family from falling apart, but is often unsuccessful. She clings to the memory of Connor even though she was never close with him, and her relationship with Larry and Zoe suffers because of it. The second act elaborates on her past attempts at coaxing Connor through expensive retreats, and her bitterness towards her husband's distance.
Larry Murphy – Connor and Zoe's busy father. He works hard to give his family a relatively easy life, but he is emotionally distant from all three of them. He becomes close with Evan, who never had a strong father figure, and begins to see Evan as the son Connor never was. However, as the letter becomes public, he's faced with his role in Connor's alienation and the truth behind Evan's outreach.
Connor Murphy -  A high school senior who is also a social outcast with no friends, like Evan. He is a frequent drug user, and becomes aggressive when he is high. He is very protective of his sister Zoe, even though they are not close. He commits suicide early on, but his image returns in Evan's imagination to guide him. Evan's imaginary version of Connor is likable, contributing to Evan's belief that they could have been friends. His death is the basis of the whole story.
Alana Beck – Evan's precocious and sometimes insufferable classmate. She is constantly looking for academic and extracurricular activities to boost her collegiate chances. She never knew Connor, but is greatly affected by his death and the concept of mortality, and quickly joins Evan in founding the Connor Project in order to keep Connor's memory alive.
Jared Kleinman – Another of Evan's classmates; he is the closest person Evan has ever had to a friend. The son of a family friend of the Hansens, he initially says that he only talks to Evan so his parents will pay for his car insurance. Jared is very adept with computers and technology, so Evan enlists his help in crafting fake emails from Connor. However, as Evan becomes preoccupied with his relationship with the Murphys and fails to further Jared's prominence in the Project, Jared turns his snide nature against Evan once more, only to be confronted by his own self-centeredness.

text: Musical numbers[edit]

text:
Act 1
"Anybody Have a Map?" – Heidi, Cynthia
"Waving Through a Window" – Evan
"Waving Through a Window" (Reprise #1)* – Evan
"Waving Through a Window" (Reprise #2)* – Alana
"For Forever" – Evan
"Sincerely, Me" – Connor, Evan, Jared
"Requiem" – Zoe, Cynthia, Larry
"If I Could Tell Her" – Evan, Zoe
"Disappear" – Connor, Evan, Alana, Jared, Larry, Cynthia, Zoe
"You Will Be Found" – Company

Act 2
"Sincerely, Me" (Reprise)* – Connor, Jared
"To Break in a Glove" – Larry, Evan
"Only Us" – Zoe, Evan
"Good for You" – Heidi, Alana, Jared, Evan
"For Forever" (Reprise)"* – Connor
"You Will Be Found" (Reprise)* – Company
"Words Fail" – Evan
"So Big/So Small" – Heidi
"Finale" – Company

text: *Not included on the Original Broadway Cast Recording

text: Recording[edit]

text: An original Broadway cast album was released at midnight on February 3, 2017. The second song on the album, "Waving Through A Window", was released as a special early download for those who had pre-ordered the album.[6] The fifth song, "Requiem", was made available to stream for 24 hours on January 26, 2017, a week before the release of the cast recording.[7] The song was released as a second pre-order bonus the next day. The recording of the Act 1 finale "You Will Be Found" was available for a first listen online on January 30, 2017.[8] The cast album debuted at number 8 on the February 25 Billboard 200.[9][10] The cast album became available in compact disc format on February 24, 2017. The cast album, produced by Alex Lacamoire, featuring the band from both the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including Ben Cohn (piano), Jamie Eblen (drums), Justin Goldner and Dillon Kondor (guitars), Rob Jost (bass), Justin Smith, Todd Low and Adele Stein (strings)[11] and won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[12]

text: Productions[edit]

text: Original Washington, D.C. production[edit]

text: Dear Evan Hansen premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., running from July 10 to August 23, 2015.[13]  Directed by Michael Greif, with orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, the set was designed by David Korins and the projection design was by Peter Nigrini. The cast featured Ben Platt in the title role.

text: Original Off-Broadway production[edit]

text: The musical opened Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theater on March 26, 2016, in previews, with the official opening on May 1. The cast featured Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Will Roland and Jennifer Laura Thompson repeating their roles from the Arena Stage production. New cast members were John Dossett and Kristolyn Lloyd. Michael Greif again directed, with choreography by Danny Mefford.[14][15][16][17] The Off-Broadway engagement closed on May 29, 2016.

text: Original Broadway production[edit]

text: The show premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2016, in previews, and officially opened on December 4.[18] After originally announcing that performances would take place at the Belasco Theatre, in mid-September 2016, producers announced that the show would instead be performed at the Music Box Theatre. Michael Park, who originated the role of Larry in the Arena Stage production, returned for the Broadway production (replacing John Dossett who went on to the musical War Paint). All other cast members from the Second Stage production returned for the Broadway engagement.[19][20][21] Ben Platt played his last performance on November 19, 2017. Noah Galvin replaced Platt on November 21, 2017 and played until February 2018.[3] Taylor Trensch played two performances in the show before officially replacing Galvin on February 6, 2018.

text: First National Tour[edit]

text: A U.S. Tour was announced, starring Ben Levi Ross in the title role.[22] It will also star Jessica Phillips in the role of Heidi Hansen,[23] Jared Goldsmith in the role of Jared Kleinman,[24] and Phoebe Koyabe in the role of Alana Beck.[25] Also joining the cast will be Christiane Noll in the role of Cynthia Murphy, Aaron Lazar as Larry Murphy, Marrick Smith in the role of Connor Murphy, and Maggie Mckenna in the role of Zoe Murphy.[26] The tour will start in Denver in October 2018 and will go on to play more than fifty cities.

text: Canadian production[edit]

text: The show will play its first international performance in Toronto. The production is slated to begin performances in March 2019.[27]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: Derek Mong, in his review of the musical at the Arena Stage, wrote that the "inventive set design by David Korins...that transforms a small stage into a platform for the most intimate living room where a mother and son share a heart-to-heart to the physical abyss of internet cyberspace... book by Steven Levenson... lyrics and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul... heartfelt lyrics with universal appeal joined by the perfect, oftentimes acoustic, accompaniment that can change the mood from somber to celebratory to sinister in a single bar of music."[28]

text: Barbara Mackay in reviewing the Arena Stage production for TheatreMania wrote: "Levenson, Pasek, and Paul set themselves two high, untraditional bars in Evan Hansen: exploring a community's grief and examining a lonely protagonist who desperately wants to connect with that community... Ben Platt is outstanding as Evan... Since the success of the musical depends entirely on whether Evan's solitary nature appears funny or weird, Evan's ability to laugh at himself and make the audience laugh is crucial. Platt is charming as he eternally twists his shirt tails and hangs his head... Although the themes of grief and loneliness are serious, the musical is anything but somber. It addresses challenging facts of life. But from start to finish, when Evan leaves his room and finds an authentic life outside it, Dear Evan Hansen contains far more joy than sadness."[29]

text: Susan Davidson, in her review of the Arena Stage production for CurtainUp, noted: "...it helps to suspend the disbelief that sullen, anti-social teenagers can change quickly. Surely that's a process requiring time-released hormonal adjustments. It is hard to accept that a long-admired-from-afar girl can change Evan's outlook on life so rapidly or that Connor's teenage disequilibrium leads him to do what he does. Coming through loud and clear, however, is the fact that what starts as deceit can be blown totally out of proportion by the Internet where lies are disseminated with lightning speed leaving plenty of victims in their wake...The music is pleasant, not terribly original but good enough to get toes tapping. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's ballads stand out, particularly Heidi's "So Big/So Small," Evan's "Words Fail" and Zoe and Evan's young sweethearts duet "Only Us.""[30]

text: Charles Isherwood, in his review of the Second Stage production for The New York Times, noted: "The songs, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dogfight, A Christmas Story), strike the same complex notes, with shapely, heartfelt lyrics that expose the tensions and conflicts that Connor’s death and Evan’s involvement cause in both families. The music, played by a small but excellent band on a platform upstage, is appealingly unstrident pop-rock, with generous doses of acoustic guitar, keyboards and strings. It’s the finest, most emotionally resonant score yet from this promising young songwriting team."[31]

text: Dear Evan Hansen is a recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.[32]

text: Honors and awards[edit]

text:
Year

Award Ceremony

Category

Nominee

Result

2016

Helen Hayes Award[33]

Outstanding Musical—HAYES Production

Won

Outstanding Direction of a Musical—HAYES Production

Michael Greif

Won

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical—HAYES Production

Laura Dreyfuss

Nominated

Jennifer Laura Thompson

Nominated

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical—HAYES Production

Won

Outstanding Lighting Design—HAYES Production

Japhy Weideman

Nominated

Outstanding Musical Direction—HAYES Production

Ben Cohn

Nominated

Outstanding Set Design—HAYES Production

David Kornis (Set Design) and Peter Nigrini (Projection Design)

Nominated

text: Original Off-Broadway production[edit]

text:
Year

Award Ceremony

Category

Nominee

Result

2016

The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical

Steven Levenson (Book), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Lyrics & Music)

Nominated

Outer Critics Circle Awards[34]

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical

Won

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Nominated

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Steven Levenson

Won

Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Greif

Nominated

Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Ben Platt

Nominated

Outstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical)

Peter Nigrini

Nominated

Off Broadway Alliance Awards[35]

Best New Musical

Nominated

Drama League Award[36]

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical

Nominated

Distinguished Performance

Ben Platt

Nominated

Drama Desk Awards[37]

Outstanding Lyrics

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Won

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Rachel Bay Jones

Nominated

Outstanding Projection Design

Peter Nigrini

Nominated

Obie Awards[38]

Obie Award for Musical Theatre

Steven Levenson (Book), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Lyrics & Music)

Won

Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actor

Ben Platt

Won

2017

Lucille Lortel Awards

Outstanding Musical

Nominated

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

Ben Platt

Won

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Rachel Bay Jones

Won

Outstanding Projection Design

Peter Nigrini

Nominated

text: Original Broadway production[edit]

text:
Year

Award Ceremony

Category

Nominee

Result

2017

Tony Awards[39]

Best Musical

Won

Best Book of a Musical

Steven Levenson

Won

Best Original Score

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Won

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

Ben Platt

Won

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Mike Faist

Nominated

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Rachel Bay Jones

Won

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Japhy Weideman

Nominated

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif

Nominated

Best Orchestrations

Alex Lacamoire

Won

Drama League Awards[40]

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production

Won

Distinguished Performance

Ben Platt

Won

Rachel Bay Jones

Nominated

2018

Grammy Awards[41][42]

Best Musical Theater Album

Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Kristolyn Lloyd, Michael Park, Ben Platt,Will Roland & Jennifer Laura Thompson (principal soloists); Pete Ganbarg, Alex Lacamoire, Stacey Mindich, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (producers); Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (composers/lyricists)

Won

Daytime Emmy Awards[43][44]

Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program

Ben Platt & the Cast of Dear Evan Hansen"You Will Be Found" (performed on The Today Show)

Won

text: Novelization[edit]

text: The musical was adapted into a young adult novel by actor and singer-songwriter Val Emmich, in collaboration with Pasek & Paul and Levenson. The novel, which will also feature additional material based on scenes and songs cut from the show's development that flesh out and expand upon the story, will be released by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on October 9, 2018.[45]

text: Books[edit]

text:
Levenson, Steven; Pasek, Benj; Paul, Justin (2017). Dear Evan Hansen. Theatre Communications Group. 144pp. ISBN 978-1559365604.
Levenson, Steven; Pasek, Benj; Paul, Justin (2017). Dear Evan Hansen: Through the Window. Grand Central Publishing. 224pp. ISBN 978-1538761915.