Theatre Review: Dear Evan Hansen at The Alexandra, Birmingham

AD: This Press Night Review refers to the 2024 Touring Production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham*

Dear Evan Hansen was a huge multi award-winning Broadway and West End hit, and now it’s bringing tears, laughter and plenty of awkward teenage moments to the Alexandra Theatre as part of it’s first UK tour. This new production, directed by Adam Penford, explores mental health, grief and the effects of living in the age of social media, whilst remaining funny and engaging. And it’s an absolutely cracking show.

“All we see is sky for forever”

Dear Evan Hansen follows the story of the titular Evan, an insecure teenager who feels invisible and lonely. After classmate Connor Murphy dies by suicide, a misunderstanding leads Connor’s family to believe that he and Evan were close friends. Desperate to belong, Evan goes along with the lie. He fakes a “friendship” with Connor through fabricated emails thanks to his tech-savvy friend Jared. It brings Evan unexpected popularity, the sense of belonging he’s been searching for and deep connections with Connor’s grieving family. Unsurprisingly though, the truth unravels and Evan has to face the consequences.

Ryan Kopel plays our socially anxious protagonist with raw vulnerability, and you can’t help but root for him, despite some questionable decisions. Kopel injects Evan with self-deprecating humour and subtle comic moments, mastering the transition from awkward teen to social media superstar. It is a phenomenal performance. Kopel also has great chemistry with Lauren Conroy as Zoe, Connor’s sister and Evan’s crush. Conroy displays her complicated relationship with her brother beautifully, particularly on the song “Requiem“.

Killian Thomas Lefevre is a brooding Connor – who has a surprising number of appearances for a character that dies early in the first act – and Tom Dickerson delivers light relief as Evan’s friend Jared. The whole cast are excellent, but Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) is a stand out as Evan’s mother Heidi. She gives a powerful depiction of a single working mother trying to connect with her son. Grab the tissues for “So Big/So Small“. Helen Anker as Connor’s mother Cynthia also puts in an emotionally charged performance as she navigates her grief.

“When you don’t feel strong enough to stand, You can reach out your hand”

The score has songs which pack a true emotional punch – “Waving Through a Window“, “You Will Be Found” and “Words Fail” in particular. The set (designed by Morgan Large) is minimalistic, with great use of lighting (Matt Daw) and sliding windows. Projected social media feeds to reflect the modern digital world (Ravi Deepres).

The story is a stark reminder of silent battles, isolation and desperation, and the devastating impact of suicide on those left behind. Parenthood, family bonds and resilience are major threads running through Dear Evan Hansen, as we watch relationships form, build and crumble. Some of the scenes in the second act almost left me forgetting to breathe as the intensity built to almost unbearable levels.

“…When you’re broken on the ground, you will be found”

Dear Evan Hansen is an emotional rollercoaster with plenty of warmth and humour sprinkled throughout.

to keep it uplifting, despite often heavy subjects. The whole plot relies on a morally dubious decision which spirals into something uncontrollable, and at times it’s natural to feel conflicted on how to feel about Evan. He’s not the hero of the piece, but he’s not really a villain either. So it’s a show that will make you think, laugh and cry, all in two hours and twenty minutes.

You are not alone. There is always a glimmer of hope, and healing can happen. You will be found.

Dear Evan Hansen returns to the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham in June 2025! Purchase your tickets here. Please see the Dear Evan Hansen Tour website for full details and ticket information

Production images by Marc Brenner

*Why is this post marked AD? I was invited to attend Press Night in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.