The Tony Award winning smash hit Dear Evan Hansen had a star studded opening night at The Ahmanson friday evening and the show was met with thunderous applause, a few times stopping the show, and an enthusiastic and immediate standing ovation.
Spotted among the glittering crowd were Tony and Oscar-winning songwriters of the show, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, director Michael Greif, Katy Perry, Maya Rudolph, Nia Vardalos, Chrissy Metz of “This is Us” fame, Auli’i Cravalho, Ali Wong, Lea Thompson, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, D-Arcy Carden, Iain Armitage, and Cameron Manheim with son, Milo Manheim, currently on DWTS, among many more.
Ben Levi Ross, who has played the role on Broadway, is now headlining the DEH tour and gives an emotionally devastating performance as Evan, who finds himself as the unlikely center of a social media viral sensation. Isolated and afraid of his own shadow, Evan, through a series of events, miscommunications, and eventually lies, has been identified as the only real friend of a high school senior who has committed suicide. He becomes a lifeline for the grieving family and for the first time in his life, Evan feels the “sunlight” of attention and belonging that soon becomes addictive and out of control.
The show has gained an almost cult following throughout the world, becoming a “show that connects us all”. Whether through the lens of anyone who has felt the isolation of being on the “outside always looking in” or a parent desperately trying to reach your child, the show reaches in and grabs you by the tearducts. Every cool thing from the Broadway version is here for you on the national tour from the irresistible score played with gusto by the dynamic, on stage orchestra led by music director, Austin Cook, to the gorgeous David Korins set design, Peter Nigrini projections and lighting design by Japhy Weideman. Everything is top notch as is the entire cast with Broadway veteran Christiane Noll as Cynthia Murphy, Jessica Phillips as Heidi Hansen, Maggie McKenna as Zoe Murphy, Marrick Smith as Connor Murphy, Jared Goldsmith as Jared Kleinman, Phoebe Koyabe as Alana Beck, and Aaron Lazar as Larry Murphy.
According to the Centre Theatre Group, Dear Evan Hansen has already shattered all weekly box office revenue records in Ahamanson and CTG’s 50-year history. Tickets are still available so get ‘em while they’re hot!
The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor for Ben Platt and Best Actress for Rachel Bay-Jones, Best Book by Steven Levenson, Best Score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and Best Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.
Tickets for “Dear Evan Hansen” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or by visiting the Center Theatre Group Box Office located at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $99 – $285 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, 90012.
