There's No Acting Nonchalant With DEAR EVAN HANSEN, An Utterly Relatable Musical With A Dash Of Purposeful Cringe
In the words of Evan, today is going to be a good day, as DEAR EVAN HANSEN has arrived in Singapore at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands from 30 October 2025. Presented in Singapore by Base Entertainment Asia in association with ATG Productions by arrangement with Music Theatre International, this award-winning musical features a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar-winning composers for The Greatest Showman, and a book by Steven Levenson.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN may not have flashy costumes, flying witches, crashing chandeliers, or helicopters, but it sure does have plenty of realism that makes it deeply relatable. It tells the story of Evan, a fidgety high school kid who writes a letter of affirmation to himself that he's about to have a good day. This leads to a misunderstanding where he gets caught in a spiral of lies that'll make you laugh, cringe, and grimace.
Photo from Base Entertainment Asia
Prepare yourself for a highly emotional and ultimately uplifting ride, especially if you've ever had or know someone who has mental health issues. Serious topics like self harm and the toll it takes on relationships are portrayed amidst upbeat, motivational musical numbers.
As realistic as the experiences and feelings are, this musical may not be everyone's cup of tea. If you're a fan of shows like Glee and 13 Reasons Why or films like Pitch Perfect, you're part of the crowd who'll adore DEAR EVAN HANSEN and enjoy it in a meaningful way. You get it all from comedic physical acting and heart-wrenching family drama to facepalm moments (in a good way).
But for the more cynical bunch like myself, the show might come off as a little bland. I struggled to stay focused and often felt confused rather than moved. Several scenes featured actors simply sitting or standing in place in a mundane set. And at times, the choreography was awkward. For instance, the main actors would be having an emotional moment while background dancers popped their chests.
Photo from Base Entertainment Asia
Then again, perhaps it was just me being a grinch, as the rest of audience was riveted. Should my heart grow to a regular size, I'd say that DEAR EVAN HANSEN was thought-provoking and uniquely charming, unlike any other musical I've seen.
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