'Dear Evan Hansen' at Artscape – A Masterpiece That Outshines the Movie

★★★★★ You know how they say that the book is always better than the movie? Well, the play is better than both the book and the movie. This was exactly the case with Dear Evan Hansen at the Artscape Theatre.

We were invited to the premiere of Dear Evan Hansen at the Artscape on 16 February 2025, and wow, were we blown away! Some plays leave an impact that lingers long after the final bow. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes of "Waving Through a Window" filled the theatre, the audience was completely captivated.

Okay, confession time: I watched the movie before seeing the play, purely out of curiosity. While the film version struggled to translate the raw, intimate energy of the stage show, this live production thrived in its authenticity. The emotions felt real, the characters were fully portrayed, and the music was exceptional.

The standout performance of the night was undoubtedly Stuart Brown as Evan Hansen. He had the audience in the palm of his hand from the very first scene, delivering a performance that was both heartbreaking and uplifting. And boy, can he sing! Every nervous tic, every hesitated breath, every gut-wrenching moment of self-doubt felt painfully real. The chemistry between the cast members added an extra layer of depth, making the relationships feel incredibly raw and genuine.

Kelly Crocker mesmerised the audience with her singing, delivering a stunning vocal performance that left everyone spellbound. Her ability to convey emotion through song was breathtaking, and she brought a richness to her role that made her character unforgettable. Meanwhile, Justin Swartz and Ntshikeng Matooane brought the humour, lightening the mood at just the right moments and adding a wonderful balance to the overall emotional weight of the production.

Visually, the production was nothing short of stunning. Director Greg Karvellas expertly incorporated multimedia projections, adding a modern edge that mirrored Evan's complex relationship with the digital world, where he feels both seen and unseen. The lighting design played a crucial role in the storytelling, subtly shifting to reflect Evan’s emotional highs and lows.

But what made this production truly exceptional was its ability to connect. It didn’t just tell a story; it made you feel it. The themes of loneliness, identity, and the desperate need for belonging resonated powerfully, and by the time "You Will Be Found" reached its crescendo, there were more than a few teary eyes in the theatre.

This wasn’t just a night at the theatre. It was an experience. A flawless cast, breathtaking performances, and a level of emotional depth that no screen adaptation could ever hope to match. If you missed it, find a way to see it before the run ends. Get your tickets here. If you were lucky enough to be in the audience, you already know that this Dear Evan Hansen was unforgettable.