Dear Evan Hansen Bombs in Australia

Any more details on what specifically was changed?

InvisibleBoy said: "CATSNYrevival said: "Any more details on what specifically was changed?"

Only the staging, set, and choreography. The rest are the same incl the story. But Evan is less dramatic, I guess, not sure how to describe it. He didn't do the ticks that Ben Platt/Broadway Evans do (bear in mind I only watch the slimetutorials). I watched the show in Melbourne during the preview, and people lovedit, and it was a full house. It should've been in a smaller theatre tho if they have difficulty to sell tickets."

I just remembered Dear Evan Hansen premiered almost a decade ago in summer 2015 in Arena stage, Washington DC. It's a small intimate house. I'm a fan of the original production and what makes this musical work for me are the casting for Evan, Evan's mom, and Zoe and their chemistry with each other (Evan & Evan's mom, and Evan & Zoe.) I still remember how hard it was to get a ticket to see Ben Platt perform as Evan back in 2016-2017. In summer 2017 people would arrive outside the Music Box theater at midnight in the hopes of getting a standing room ticket.

I don't know how it works in Australia but I think it's always smart to start off in a smaller theater first especially if none of the cast members are well-known. Hopefully other productions of DEH will fare better in the future.

The Melbourne production trailer below:

Updated On: 1/21/25 at 09:56 AM

dramamama611 said: "Wait...is this the first time DEH has been professionally produced? No tour? No run of the original?"

Yeah, there seems to be some confusion in that regard. DEH flopped in Toronto, had two national tours (one still running), ran on the west end under two years, etc.

This is not an “updated” version of the show, it’s just another non-replica production, which have been happening all over the world since at least since 2022. These productions are the same show as licensed, but are not replicating the Broadway production’s design or direction. The last UK tour and most international productions are not tied to the original production. I believe the show became available to produce after the film adaptation was released.

Occasionally I forget I watched that movie and then I remember it in all of its horrifying glory. Jesus Christ.

binau said: "I just think people find the book icky and have issues with the morality.

If you cannot appreciate the craft of the subtext of how songs are used in this show I think you aren’t really appreciating the brilliance that Michael Greif brought to the show and why he is one of our most important directors.

For example, take “for forever”. The double subtextof 1. Evan fantasing about a friend he never had and 2. Comforting the family of Connor who believe he is saying something positive about their difficult child that is making them feel happy within a song that genuinely feels like it could be a sincere song recalling a great friend is EXCELLENT musical theatre in my opinion.

Or take “you will be found” - the subtext of all the lies and deception within this song while also being a genuinely uplifting anthem is crazily skillful.

This kind of craft is difficult to do.

Combined with Ben Platt’s virtuosic performance this was an excellent moment in musical theatre history and I don’t think should be forgotten or downplayed.



"

"You Will Be Found" is the closest the show comes to achieving greatness, and to doing what its probable inspiration, "World's Greatest Dad," accomplished. The difference, however, is that the Bobcat Goldthwait film allows itself to speak uncomfortable truths: that some people do NOT matter, are NOT worth living, are worth more dead than alive. The world is ultimately better off for Connor's death, like a reverse "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Dear Evan Hansen" comes SO close to acknowledging that and becoming a very dark comedy.

Instead, it veers towards trying to be inspirational, despite having created a plot, and even a series of songs, that are just aching to mock and deconstruct "inspiration porn." They just didn't have the heart to go through with it.

The antagonism towards this show always tickles me, the level of self-righteousness that always seems to be expressed. I'm not fan of the show--not because I'm offended by Evan or anything, I just don't connect with it--but when people are SO upset, that tells me the show did its job well. People don't have this sort of reaction to bad shows, and if they do, it tends to be focused on the production (direction and design choices) not the basic material. I'm always suprrised when people don't want to be confronted with complex characters that challenge them to feel empathy. But then I think of the big, spashy shows with not substance, and movies turned into Broadway tourist shows, and how they run forever, and I understand their success better. Nothing challenging at all, nothing real. Which I guess for many feels safe. So there's that.

Clearly, I'm not saying those who liked it and made it a hit lack empathy. But a clear sea-change occurred following the lockdown, and the show has never regained the reputation it had. Mostly because peope insist on seeing Evan through a black and white lens that says "Evan bad" so "not deserving of empathy." That's not something I read into their reaction, they usually say literally that.

Anyone with critical thinking skills hates this show. Broadway audiences usually lack critical thinking skills and that's why it was initially such a big hit "event." The film was rightfully met with shock and horror. Normal people were finally able to see this show and it became apparent what a trite and evil piece of trash this show is.

I can't help but think how much this show will be produced in community & high school theaters soon and how the majority of their directors will make it unwatchable.