I recently saw both ABF and MLB in the role and tried going in to each performance without any kind of bias. I’ve never seen the show before, so I can’t compare to Ben Platt or any of other actors who have played the part. First, I thought they both did a really good job. I think their Evans are definitely different, but each of them were able to excel in different areas of the show.
I saw ABF first. I thought ABF had a stronger Act 1. He was very spot on with the comedic points in the show. He bonded extremely well with all the characters at the beginning. Dan Macke was on as Connor and did phenomenal in the role actually, both him and ABF connected very well I thought. I think it was a bit more realistic to see a teenager playing the role of a teenager as well. Vocally he was very good for a 16 year old although some of the bigger notes he struggled with a bit.
ABF’s act 2 was pretty good. He connected very well with Mallory and shared some nice moments with Lisa and Michael Park. While I thought his performance was very good, I didn’t emotionally connect as well as I thought I would at the end, although both ABF and Lisa did a phenomenal job. A few little things I did notice, he does this tic where he like rapidly blinks his eyes at the beginning of the show. He managed to lose this during the middle of the show and started doing this again at the end of the show so I found that to be a bit inconsistent. Also, right at the end when he gives his last line “all I see is sky for forever,” rather than the hopeful look you would sorta imagine Evan to have, I remember ABF portrayed a doubtful and depressing look, as if he was not over everything that happened. Not sure if this was intentional but it was definitely interesting.
MLB’s Act 1 was a bit rocky for me at first. Vocally, he struggled a bit in WTAW, however he was flawless the rest of the performance. I had some trouble connecting with his Evan at first as it did feel a bit likes he’s been in the role a while and was going through the lines. However, as I got more into the show, I started to feel like his portrayal is actually very realistic and that he was probably just performing the role of Evan as an awkward kid who doesn’t necessarily have a regular rhythm. He portrays Evan as that extremely awkward benevolent and shy kid whereas ABF’s portrayal of Evan is definitely a bit more of a “normal” kid who is suppressing his depression.
MLB’s act 2 completely won me over, probably one of the most powerful acts I ever witnessed in a musical. (I’ll admit I have seen a good amount but not a ton of Broadway shows so this is just my personal experience). I didn’t think his connection with Mallory was as strong but he had some very powerful moments with Lisa Brescia and Michael Park. His fighting scenes with Lisa were very strong as was so big/so small. I sobbed the entire second half of act 2. It was just so real and I really could feel his emotions, like I have a hard time believing that he was just acting it out.
This being said, I think ABF had the stronger act 1 and MLB the stronger act 2. I thought they both gave powerful performances but I think I connected a little more with MLB as he just had a lot of the mannerisms I would imagine Evan having and gave a truly emotional show.
In regards to the other cast members, I was nervous about how Lisa Brescia would do because I have seen clips of Rachel Bay Jones and could only imagine her in the role. However Lisa did the role more than justice. I really enjoyed Dan Macke as Connor and hope he can play a greater role in the show in the future. I saw Alex Boniello with MLB and they bonded pretty well. Mallory is incredible as a singer but I feel that her acting wasn’t as strong for some reason, like she was kind of just hitting the notes. I didn’t realize how much I would like Michael Park in the role but wow he blew me away. I give JLT a lot of credit because she has been in the role for a very long time and has to cry the most out of everyone every single performance, but I do think that she might be ready to try something different. Sky was funny but had a different feel than the recording and I feel I missed Will Roland’s performance. Phoenix Best is an incredible singer but the role she plays is limited of course.