13 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
13 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
#113 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:34pm
Does anyone else think that all the controversy and backlash over 13 reasons why... could negatively effect DEH?
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#413 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:55pm
DEH and 13RW have premises that could be generously called similar, but they go about them in two different ways.
The suicide kicks off the plot in both of them, but while DEH uses it as a catalyst for an honestly pretty cliche Liar Revealed storyline, 13RW focuses much more on the effects of the suicide itself.
Not to mention how graphic 13RW is, in a way Jay Asher's book isn't. The backlash for that is well-deserved but it's not gonna affect DEH.
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#513 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:59pm
No but if DEH was as mainstream as 13RW then I think there would be a backlash, yes.
#613 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/28/17 at 2:21pm
froote said: "No but if DEH was as mainstream as 13RW then I think there would be a backlash, yes.
" Agreed!
kreichelt
Understudy Joined: 1/29/13
#713 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/29/17 at 8:52am
13 Reasons Why focuses on WHY Hannah committed suicide, and blames the people in her life for it, while being extremely graphic both in terms of the suicide and the reasons why. That is why it is facing backlash.
Dear Evan Hansen does neither of these things. In fact, we never learn why Connor committed and no one is ever blamed for it. In fact, the only question about the suicide in DEH is how to use it to help others feel less alone and not make that decision.
They really aren't comparable.
#813 reasons why & dear Evan Hansen
Posted: 4/29/17 at 9:07am
*SPOILERS*
My wife and I were just discussing this last night and we do see at least one negative similarity between the two. Both give this suggestion that after suicide the person continues to live on; that suicide is not the end. We continue to see Connor on stage as if he is alive. We think it gives a bit of a negative message to teens as they should understand that when you commit suicide, that is the end.
I don't think people will view Dear Evan Hansen negatively though because of that. I think what they do is very tasteful and beautiful. I should note that I absolutely love Dear Evan Hansen, and I would love my kids to see it; while I would not want them to watch 13 reasons.
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