Dear Evan Hansen is an amazing play that deals such topics as suicide, mental health, and acceptance. An outpouring of conversations definitely worthy of taking a young person in your life to view. Dear Evan Hansen is the story of all of us as a community. What are we doing to help the most vulnerable? Are we ignoring the signs of those hurting amongst us?
Dear Evan Hansen Music
The music in this play is hands down outstanding. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. The singing ability is mind blowing. Nothing is better than me than having great musical talent in a production like this. It is a defining moment for me in much of the story. I felt like I had taken my own walk into high school. The days when you are finding yourself. So many not sure who they are but needing someone to take them in and just let them be who they are. Dear Evan Hansen musical numbers are full of exemplary singing. Major kudos to the orchestra they did such an amazing job as well.
What does it mean to be Accepted?
I took my teenage daughter. I wanted her to go on purpose. We do a lot of talking with her. She is nervous to start at high school. So as we watched how, Evan who was dealing with anxiety she too (gave permission to state this) deals with it too. The ability to be able to struggle in silence with anxiety is real. Evan struggled with taking his medication. The medication as you will see will come into play at the end (which I will not be giving away what happens). Anxiety and mental wellness is just as important as health care. So as Heidi Hansen played by Coleen Sexton is told by Evan that she (his Mom) wanted him to get therapy and be on medication because she wanted to fix him. My daughter during intermission said, Mom you aren’t fixing me.
She reiterated what I say to her often, anxiety is a normal part of your life. I had to hold back my own tears. It’s important for parents to see their kids as they are. Instead of making them what they want them to be. Guiding them to help them navigate the parts of them that make them-them is important. Evan struggles with acceptance. The person who he is-surfacely isn’t enough for those around him. Thus causes the journey to lie, pretend, and hide.
Suicide in Dear Evan Hansen
I strongly suggest that this play may not be suitable for younger kids. There is strong language as well as suicide. Although the suicide isn’t shown it is a huge focus of the show. My daughter and I talked about this before the show in our many conversations. We have been steadfast in the highs and lows of mental health as a family. So if you haven’t have this conversation please have it before you come to the show. Connor played by Nikhil Saboo was wonderful.
He drew me in because although he is considered the focus in part as well as sinister in his ways-he brings up a lot. As a black sheep type of way, his actions through his death and his life brings up behavioral issues. Many kids who lash out are dealing with a lot. Often times are deemed as problematic even though it’s a layer that needs to be uncovered.
Jared and Alana
Jared (played by Pablo David Laucerica) is a “family friend” to Evan. He is the one that helps him frame Evan into a new person. His identity gets tied to Connor and his suicide and takes on a life of its own. Although this new identity will become an issue later on, Jared also gets the bad end of the stick. Evan relies on what his lie gives him than who he was at his core. Alana comes and her upbeat attitude and curiosity helps to unravel Evan. Alana played by Micaela Lamas is a power representative of what is is to be true to self. Her being is the light that transforms Evan in the end.
This production is such a great light into our own lives. Where are we missing the mark to those around us? What forces are we using to be our true authentic self? Evan has a moment that forces his hands to be honest. I too have had a moment like that. The stripping away of the glorified persona to step into the real you hurts but is necessary.
Thank you to the Kimmel Cultural Center for having me and my daughter. The conversations as we start the beginning of her last year before high school was helpful. We have been talking ever sense. For that, Dear Evan Hansen should be at the top of your viewing list. It is showing until August 28t, so get your tickets now.
Also I did a special interview with Nikhil who plays Connor and Micaela who plays Alana with Tomika and Whitney. Please listen to the podcast as we talk about the take aways.
If you are someone you know is having feeling of being lost or suicide please call 988 or text GO to 741741 24/7 as it is confidential to help you get the help you need.
