DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre- Page 2

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 2:56pm

Two things:

Did you know it's possible to enjoy a show without expressing disdain for another?

And when I saw DEH in DC, the audience was one of the best kinds of quiet audiences -- listening intently, cheering enthusiastically when needed, but being almost reverently silent. It was a pretty great experience. I hope that happens again here.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 3:55pm

yfs said: "As for Theatergoer3's comments, I sympathize with being semi-revolted by the hometown crowd at a first preview -- their ecstatic reaction usually has more to do with the fact that the show by their friends actually got on, never mind if its any good. But that's true of virtually EVERY first preview. If it makes you crazy (as it does me) you should stay away from first previews. Those audiences tend to hijack your own feelings about a show. Wait a bit."

 

I've been to many first previews and many final dress rehearsals and this was quite different. It really felt like nearly everyone in the crowd was related to one another. I sat right near the entrance so I could hear everyone coming in and it was just odd to me. Frankly, it just reinforced my thought that this was somehow financed or helped by Marc Platt to give his son a good role.

 

I'd be curious to know the ages of the people who really enjoyed it and were moved by it. Again, maybe this is just for a high school crowd and I've aged out. Enough negativity from me on this show! Folks on this board are definitely enjoying it, so it seems it does have an audience and is striking a chord. I am very happy to see an original musical not based on a pre-existing property do well so cheers to that! Bravo!

[JM226]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 3:56pm

it is not just people on this Board. it is critics. did you read the reviews from last summer? very, very positive including NY Times (Isherwood). 

 

also... i have no connection to this production but after seeing it three times, you get to know the people involved and hear things. marc platt is not involved with this production at all. sorry to burst your cynical bubble theatregoer3. 

[steven22]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 4:55pm

I saw today's matinee. I really liked it. Didn't love it. I guess I was expecting to be blown away like NEXT TO NORMAL. With that being said, the show needs some work, but I can't figure out where. 

Michael Grief was in the audience and his assistant was taking notes the entire show. 

Ben Platt and the entire cast are giving great performances. Rachel Bay Jones, Laura Dreyfus and Jennifer Laura Thompson especially. 

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 5:01pm

Also saw today's matinee. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and now I'm scouring the internet for clips and recordings. That score was excellent, beautiful, and heartbreaking. Like others, I found elements of Next to Normal in the show, with a splash of Liz Flahive's From Up Here. But I wouldn't dare compare it to either play, or others, for the sake that this is it's own original piece. I went in blind, not even knowing a single plot point or lyrics. Was in for a real treat!

Ben Platt gives an incredible performance, one of the best I've seen this theatre season. The cast is strong, excellent vocals all around. I wish there were more songs featuring Rachel Bay Jones and/or Jennifer Laura Thompson. Thought the set would be distracting, but it ended up working just fine. I'm definitely hoping to return later in the run! 

[steven22]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 5:19pm

I'm going again in May - I'm excited to see what changes are made. 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 12:05am

I saw the show tonight and had a lot of problems with it. I liked, but really feel like this show is a jumble of a bunch of different ideas that may blend well together, but are not given the chance to.

The songs were pretty good, but I did not fall in love with like I did with "Bright Star". "Waving Through A Window" and the Act 1 finale were definitely the highlights for me. However, to me this felt much more like a play with music. The book is very strong, especially in act 2, and at the big climax, I was actually frustrated Evan began to sing. I think they need to work on melding the book and music together.

My biggest problem is with the story and subject matter. Act 1 was very scattered, the lack of an opening number does not help bring you in, and I felt the main character of the show was Connor, not Evan. I feel like they have an amazing platform and opportunity to have a real discussion with the audience about mental illness/depression, suicide, and the impact of social media on our lives, but everything just skimmed the surface. I feel like they are tip-toeing around the topics. (They never say the word "suicide,"...I'm not sure if they think that's being tasteful, but to me it felt like they were trying to push it under the rug.) As someone who has experienced these things, I was unaffected by the show.

Disappointed, definitely, but hope they take the time to make changes necessary to the story. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 6:55pm

I have a ticket for this show on Sunday (2:00 matinee) I'm not using. I'm not too bright apparently because my mom planned to see Blackbird while I see this (I've seen blackbird and she doesn't really want to see this) and I bought a Sunday matinee ticket before realizing Blackbird is dark on Sundays. So I bought another ticket and I'm going Saturday instead so we can stick with our plan, but now I have a ticket for Sunday I won't be using. The ticket is $89 and I have to pick it up at will call but I can do so and meet for the handoff on Saturday or before the show Sunday. PM me if interested. 

[mpd4165]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 9:41pm

I attended the Sunday evening preview and think the show is really, really great, and it can be exceptional with some tweaks. I agree with some about the opening number, it's just not quite the build one expects from an introduction of these characters, particularly Evan. I felt we were meeting the parents (the moms specifically) before we should really get to know Evan. That said, I think so many teens will relate to this because it's tapping into a feeling no doubt we've all felt, that isolation and wondering we'll matter. I found Rachel Bay Jones' work in the second act just powerful and incredibly moving. Her number near the end I was in tears because how deeply she wants to show Evan that she's trying and having those feeling with my parents, it was almost overwhelming. I think it's simplifying the work Ben Platt is doing as akin to his BOM or Pitch Perfect work. He has created a kid so filled with anxiety that he is dysfunctional and has desperately searched for a sense of normalcy beyond drugs or therapy. I found his work exceptional.

In regard to the crowds, my audience was pretty respectful, mostly on the younger side, but certainly not distracting as others have reported. 

[ethan231h]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 10:22pm

Kind of off topic question, I am seeing the show in May as a matinee. I noticed from pictures of 2ST, there are big windows in the house. do they close the curtains during the performance? It will be my first time at 2ST. Looking forward!

[asmith0307]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 10:31pm

ethan231h said: "Kind of off topic question, I am seeing the show in May as a matinee. I noticed from pictures of 2ST, there are big windows in the house. do they close the curtains during the performance? It will be my first time at 2ST. Looking forward!"

Yep!

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 10:40pm

^ Yes they do! Even for evening performances. It's sort of a cool yet subtle thing, really, and always indicates that the show is starting momentarily. 

Heres a question: What would people think of Waving Through A Window as the opener for this? The song is exceptional and it being the second song in the show currently I can't help but think it would work as the opener. 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/29/16 at 10:56pm

I left very unsatisfied.

Pasek and Paul, an extremely talented pair, have written a great score. If not as consistently thrilling as Dogfight, it holds many wonderful melodies, and a cast recording should show the production at its best. For those who are going because of Dogfight, know that they have not written another "folk" musical theatre score, but a "pop" musical theatre score, and occasionally that choice does not serve the piece. "Walking Through a Window", "For Forever","Good For You", and "So Big / So Small" are standouts and the all-around wonderful cast sings the hell out of everything.

The play, unfortunately, is structured like a predictable B-movie: hero wants to fit in, hero tells a lie, hero becomes popular due to lie, lie gets out of control, hero comes clean, "always be yourself". No matter what differences in the story, I always knew that eventually the Evan would tell the truth, so there was little dramatic tension.

The first act tried to walk the thin line of drama and dark comedy, and fails. I don't thinks jokes are right for the piece. A few one liners might lighten the mood enough, but, as stated above, the acorn line is egregious. The second act is far better in terms of dramatic tension and story-telling, but I was never actually moved by the piece. Also, I don't think Evan ever actually talked about trying to kill himself, although Connor's "ghost" told him he didn't really break his arm by falling. "Sincerely, Me" and "To Break In a Glove" were low points of the score and plot.

The character of Alana serves no purpose, and I was never sure if she was supposed to be commenting on how society takes advantage of horrific situations, and I don't think the creators know either. She plays the satirical part in act one, but suddenly becomes a dramatic point of act two. Jared is just rude and not funny at all. I think Alana and Jared should be combined and be given a clearer dramatic structure. I never knew what Alana wanted or needed in the piece and having Jared create the Conner Project with Evan would serve more dramatic purpose.

I really wanted to be moved by the piece, but I'm still unaffected. I hope it evolves during previews and continues to get better.

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:45am

What is the run time?  Seeing this Sunday night 

[indytallguy]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 7:01am

I have one front row ticket available for this Sunday evening at 7, A106. $59 my cost. Accepting reasonable offers because Second Stage said no refund, no way. Email me if you're interested: [e-mail].
 

Updated On: 4/1/16 at 07:01 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 9:24am

Sally, you bring up a good point that there is little dramatic tension or suspense regarding whether or not Evan's secret will come out. I was chatting with a friend about the show over the past few days and he said he would have loved to a see a version where Evan doesn't tell the truth and just assumes his new-found life permanently. It would certainly be a surprising choice to make and even if it weren't as dramatically satisfying, it would interesting to have him say, "My lie die more good, both for me and the community at large, than harm and undoing the lie would cause more pain at this point. I should just reap the benefits and take this secret to my grave." 

 

I'm not saying this is what they should do, but I thought it was an interesting alternate ending that would make Evan all the more interesting. 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 10:47pm

*******lots of spoilers so beware!!!!!*******************

 

Saw this tonight.  I liked it a lot.  Platt's voice was in tip top shape.  There was a tech stop towards the end of act one and then another stop where someone yelled at Connor to "wait a bar before you come in".  

Another poster said that they didn't see the point of the Alana character.  She sent chills down my spine because of how true to life she was. People always take a tragedy and try to make it about themselves.  A girl I knew from grade school was in the Boston area during the marathon bombing and looking at her facebook posts, you would have assumed she was one of the injured or at least present at the marathon.  Nope. Not even close .   It's human nature to want to connect to these things but social media encourages us, like Alana, to be narcissists about it. I have met sooooo many Alana's before. 

The acorn joke. It wouldn't have stood out to me if I hadn't read about it on this board. But it was totally appropriate for Jared because he is just as socially awkward as Evan. 

I think the lying that Evan did in the show is more common than any of us care to admit. So while we can judge him we can also be uncomfortable for the times that we have done it. 

One thematic element I think the show missed was some criticism of the current trend of outrage culture.  Every week there is something new that we are all supposed to be mad with rage about.  The Deae Evan Hansen letter prompted the same sort of outrage against Connor's family. The writers could have done something there to show how after a week, nobody cared.  It would have been great to use Alana for that but she represents another theme. 

As for the b-movie plot, well we don't really know if the "be yourself" mantra is going to work for Evan. He really lost something irreplaceable when he lost the love of Connor' s parents. And he basically forced them to go through losing a son all over again. I didn't like that Evan did such a cruel thing and all that happened was people said mean things about him .  I don't know what else could happen but I wanted to see the character learn more. The tears at the end seemed to be about reconnecting with his mom, not about feeling bad for mocking the memory of a dead classmate and traumatizing his family with lies.  A b movie plot should have a lie that's a lot less emotionally painful.  

 

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 11:45pm

Revelance: Two and a half with a fifteen minute intermission. 

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 4/1/16 at 4:17am

any merch, i know 2ST is kind of hit and miss when it comes to this. 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/1/16 at 9:15am

Buttons and t shirts is what I saw last night 

[fyeahmaria]

Posted: 4/1/16 at 12:35pm

Merch- I saw t shirts, window cards and fridge magnets.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/2/16 at 7:23pm

I saw the matinee today and thought it was very good. It did remind me of Next to Normal but more in tone and theme and did not feel derivative to me.  I loved the music and hope there is a cast recording soon as I would love to have it. I thought the cast was excellent, with Ben Platt being the standout to me. The jokes did not bother me and j laughed a few times. (Although I do agree with Whizzer about that awful acorn joke. When he said "you fell out of a tree.... What are you..."  I almost groaned when he said "an acorn?"  I thought he was going to say "a 12-year old?"  I mean do 17 year old boys really climb trees?  I don't know. Maybe they do.  But anyway that line wouldn't be funny but at least wouldn't be so cheesy.). 

 

I personally connected with the theme of struggling to connect with people even in this age where social media is so prevalent. I think people use social media to put up an image of themselves that is often not realistic, and it can make the "outsiders" feel the struggle even more. I didn't find it far fetched at all that a truly troubled teen would do the things Evan did. 

 

They held a talkback with Michael Grieff afterwards that I really enjoyed. He mentioned one of the tensions in this show is that you start to feel for this character and his story and there is a tension in that since you know it's all based on a lie. I thought that was very effective. He did discuss some changes that have been made since DC. Namely:

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

They changed the opening song because they wanted to draw parallels between the two maternal characters struggling to understand their sons. He said they had this elsewhere in the show in other drafts, but it was cut, and they wanted to bring back this focus. 

 

He also mentioned what was noted in a prior spoiler box that they are trying to make it more evident that Evan jumped from the tree and did not fall. I thought it was very clear but he said they just changed some lines last night to clarify even more. They want it to be evident but still somewhat subtle. Seems to me they've struck a good balance now. 

 Overall I really hope this has a bright future ahead of it!

[JM226]

Posted: 4/2/16 at 8:51pm

^ good review. glad to hear you liked it.

[rgdave]

Posted: 4/2/16 at 8:55pm

jolly1 said: "You guys have convinced me. Anyone know the odds of it being on TDF soon?

Doubt you'll see it on TDF or even at TKTS. This looks to be shaping up to be one of those crazy hot tickets. I tried using the Broadwaybox and Theatermania discount codes online last week and bombed out as not available for my selected date. (2st's website is very clumsy, and you have to search each date individually --- I gave up after trying two weeks out.) I went by the box office last Thursday with the discount code printouts, and the first date for a single using the code that fit my schedule was May 4, and only a couple of sporadic dates before that. A couple of days I wanted to go were sold out even at full price. I ended up buying the 4 show subscription (actually a great deal at $140) package and got a seat for next Wed.

I was walking by the theater on Wed and Thurs just before 6P, when they give out student rush, and there were 20 or 30 students waiting each day. That's a lot for Second Stage. So my bet is they're not feeding anything to TDF or TKTS, and if there are some leftovers, use the student rush to fill any leftover seats. TodayTix has a daily lottery, though, that you can enter if you post to social media. Don't know how many seats they may open up for that, but probably the 'balcony seats' which are on the side, and have a partial view of the stage. (I've sat in them before, and they;re OK if you get them at a good price.) This looks, though, to be a tough ticket to get at a discount.

"

 

[HSky]

Posted: 4/2/16 at 9:19pm

The talkback Q about the opening number was mine. :)

I loved the show in DC and think the tweaks so far have strengthened and clarified the story. As Michael Greif alluded to in the talkback, some things that were broader have been refined and given more focus. Evan's final soliloquy has a stronger message now even if the themes are the same.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I think the biggest improvements since DC involve Evan acknowledging his own worries and fears and accepting them, namely through his internal dialogue with Connor. Although many of the same moments previously existed, I think there's more growth in Evan's arc now and his final dialogue about holding on, climbing to the top, and moving on is definitely the strongest iteration I've seen. (I saw two different drafts in DC.) 

They did a good job giving the peripheral characters more substance, even if the opening and closing numbers of Act 1 (which both do more for character development)  are the only completely different songs at the moment. There is a beautiful new arrangement of "Disappear" that includes the ensemble more.

The set design has also been changed slightly to bring more action front and center and the social media projections have been redone.