Reviewed: Dear Evan Hansen at Curve Theatre

Dazzling and immersive.

Dear Evan Hansen at Curve Theatre is an emotional rollercoaster that takes you through the ups and downs of human connection and mental health.

A heart-wrenching musical, Dear Evan Hansen director Adam Penford presents teen anxiety, identity, and the quest for connection with powerful performances and emotionally charged music. This modern show explores how a lie spirals out of control and profoundly impacts everyone involved.

Ryan Kopel's portrayal of Evan Hansen was excellent. His ability to express the character's anxiety through subtle tics and movements was convincing and moving, and it felt authentic. Him, with the ensemble, "Waving Through a Window" was a standout moment, perfectly capturing the chaotic, overwhelming world that Evan navigates daily. “Words Fail”, also sung by Ryan, was a particularly emotional highlight.

It was a joy to see Lauren Conroy portraying Zoe Murphy. Her performance was sweet, endearing, and incredibly relatable, enhanced by her crisp, clear, and beautiful voice. She brought a genuine warmth to her character.

Tom Dickerson as Jared and Killian Thomas Lefevre as bully Connor Murphy brought a brilliant touch of humour to the production. Their comedic timing and delivery provided much-needed cheerfulness, balancing the show's heavier emotional themes.  Their performances were engaging and memorable, adding depth in unexpected ways.

Alice Fearn, playing Evan's mother, Heidi Hansen, truly stole the show. Her rendition of "Good For You" was jaw-dropping, emotional, relatable, and heartbreaking. Despite the song's sorrowful nature, her performance exuded a defiance that hinted at a powerful strength within this actress. Fearn's portrayal was so compelling that I can see her potential to play a formidable villain. She was the showstopper for me.

Connor’s mum and dad, while both brilliant actors and singers, just didn’t fill me with the emotion that I anticipated at the news of their son’s death. But grief does come in many forms and so their performances could have been very relatable to some.

While the overall message of the show was delivered powerfully, there was one aspect that might have been reconsidered. The use of the spotlight, intended to symbolise Evan's reluctance to be seen, ended up being more of a distraction than a touching statement.

On a more positive note about the staging, the use of mirrors to symbolise deception was an ingenious choice. These mirrors reinforced the show's themes but also expanded the stage, creating an immersive, overwhelming atmosphere. The dazzling lights reflected through the auditorium, adding to the overall sensory experience.

See Dear Evan Hansen at Curve until Saturday, October 5.