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Dear Evan Hansen – A love letter that tackles loneliness (Theatre review)

A love letter to loneliness.

Theatre review

By Bruce J. Little


Photo credit: Daniel Rutland Manners









Judging by the exceptional Sunday evening attendance in such an expansive venue, this production hardly needs my endorsement—it’s already a triumph. Cape Town audiences embraced it, and now Johannesburg seems to be following suit. See it before it sells out. 

Around me, the audience was visibly swept up in the narrative—an ideal response. They took every step of the journey that this immensely talented creative team laid before them. I won’t delve too deeply into the plot (so no spoilers here), because this is a production best experienced firsthand. Instead, I’d rather highlight what makes this show so extraordinary.

Credit: Daniel Rutland Manners

There are already several beautifully crafted reviews circulating, so I won’t rehash the basics. But here’s what you need to know:

  • The cast is both immensely skilled and deeply gifted. Their natural talent is undeniable, but so too is the craft they’ve honed.
  • The set design is spectacular and dynamic, creating an ethereal atmosphere that perfectly offsets the sobering reality of the story.
  • The music is rousing and well executed, tugging at heartstrings with potent precision.
  • The singing is sensational, but what sets it apart is its emotional honesty—it prioritises integrity over mere technical prowess, which makes it all the more powerful.
  • Genius and ingenuity are everywhere you look, and it was a joy to witness the audience’s collective awe at what unfolded before them.
This production is clearly the work of experts at the top of their game, all aligned in their vision for creating something extraordinary. They truly did justice to this American hit musical, and I look forward to what we might produce from our own rich South African stories. We've proven time and again that we can tell American and European stories as well as Americans and Europeans do.

In a world of potholes, dysfunctional governance, and an uncertain future, this production offers something rare—a sense of order, accountability, and artistic excellence. Every performer, every crew member, and every creative involved seems to have given their all.

A Story That Resonates Deeply

What truly left an impression on me was how the production made me feel. At its core, Dear Evan Hansen explores a theme that is more relevant than ever—loneliness. Experts have called loneliness the greatest pandemic of our time, and this production does more than tell a story; it starts a conversation.
Each character grapples with feelings of inadequacy and isolation, a reflection of the world we live in. In an age where technology connects us superficially to thousands, we are losing intimacy and real human connection. Dear Evan Hansen is a powerful showcase of what happens in the absence of true community. It’s engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply moving.

The Production Team & Cast

How Now Brown Cow Productions and Showtime Management present the South African premiere of the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen, running at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg, until 6 April 2025.

Creative Team:

  • Director: Greg Karvellas
  • Musical Supervisor: Charl-Johan Lingenfelder
  • Set, Lighting & Costume Designer: Niall Griffin
  • Musical Director: Kurt Haupt
  • Choreographer: Louisa Talbot
  • Sound Designer: David Classen
  • Resident Director: Shelly Lothian
  • Technical Director: Alistair Kilbee
  • Wardrobe Supervisor: Frances Moerdyk

Music & Lyrics:

From the Grammy, Tony, Olivier, and Academy Award-winning duo Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.


Cast:

  • Stuart Brown as Evan Hansen
  • Lucy Tops as Heidi Hansen
  • Justin Swartz as Jared Kleinman
  • Ntshikeng Matooane as Alana Beck
  • Keely Crocker as Zoe Murphy
  • Michael Stray as Connor Murphy
  • Sharon Spiegel-Wagner & Charlie Bouguenon as Cynthia & Larry Murphy

Parental Guidance:

This production contains strong adult themes and language. Recommended for audiences 12+ years. No children under 4 years permitted.





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