Reviews Andrew Barth Feldman in Dear Evan Hansen

Review of the Sunday, July 21, 2019 matinee functioning at the Music Box Theatre in New York Metropolis. Starring Andrew Barth Feldman, Lisa Brescia, Michael Park, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Mallory Bechtel, Alex Boniello, Roman Banks and Samantha Williams. Book by Steven Levenson.  Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Scenic design by David Korins. Project design by Peter Nigrini. Lighting design by Japhy Weideman. Costume pattern by Emily Rehbolz. Sound design by Nevin Steinberg. Choreography past Danny Mefford. Direction by Michael Greif. two hours thirty minutes, with one intermission.

Grade: A+

I retrieve the biggest theatrical surprise I've had in years came to me this past Dominicus when I saw Dear Evan Hansen . You see, I had seen the show once before, off-Broadway at 2nd Stage, and I hated it. What a difference a few tweaks and uniformly better performances from a (mostly) different cast tin can make. I understand now the obsession people have with this prove, from teens directly relating to the master grapheme, to parents understanding/dreading the realities of kid-rearing in the 21st century, to adults similar me, who can remember feeling helpless in high school and having enough distance to sympathize the really bad things social media can practise to relationships. I withal have some qualms about the likewise pat catastrophe and the overly optimistic lack of consequences. And I notwithstanding call up that the music (not the fantastic lyrics) of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul  has a generic, monotonous feel to it more than times than not. Simply later on what I witnessed the other mean solar day, those qualms are more than fabricated for past the passionate performances of the electric current company.

Dear Evan Hansen

The technical elements of the show were and are perfect for this bear witness. David Korins ' utilise of set pieces instead of literal sets assuasive the unrelenting bombardment of social media screens to exist in constant view is typical of his brilliance. Those projections, past Peter Nigriniand the lighting by Japhy Weideman  are practically a character unto themselves. The tight, economic staging past the great Michael Greif  is reminiscent of his masterful work onNext to Normal. And this time around, I was able to fully appreciate his work. He has a existent knack for helping an audience sympathize a world where the principal characters are emotionally challenged and challenging.

I don't envy Samantha Williams and Roman Banks  who play very unlikable characters. It must be difficult to be so on the olfactory organ in portraying exactly what is wrong with many teenagers today. One, a wiggle who plays at being a friend, then has the gall to call out others for not having his dorsum; the other, an outrageous opportunist, in it for the "likes" and the website traffic, and, who is so self-involved that she really believes she has altruistic ideals. What is frightening is that they represent an increasingly pervasive mental attitude in today'south culture. I mean this as a sincere compliment when I say that I hated them both past the fourth dimension it was over - that'south how fantabulous both are.

Andrew Barth Feldman, Michael Park.
Jennifer Laura Thompson, Mallory Bechtel

The solitary holdovers from the original cast, Michael Park and Jennifer Laura Thompson  as the grieving, virtually estranged parents struggling to survive, are so remarkably present after hundreds of performances. The ache they portray was felt throughout the entire theater. Park's "To Interruption in a Glove" (and the surrounding scene) was an emotional loftier point for me. I wept at his pain, and for my own hurting at wishing I had e'er had a moment like that with my own begetter. "Requiem" is also an emotionally devastating moment, made even more powerful by the heartbreaking functioning of Mallory Bechtel , object of our hero's amore, sister of a suicide victim, and a daughter well-nigh lost in the shadow of her parents' guilt and anger. She institute and provided an achingly detailed portrayal that was simply remarkable. With the news that all three volition soon be departing the production, I feel so very fortunate to have seen them.

Andrew Barth Feldman and Lisa Brescia

Taking over a Tony-winning role can't be an easy task, only Lisa Brescia did just that when she replaced Rachel Bay Jones as Heidi Hansen. Ms. Brescia is terrific, nailing the clumsiness of a mother who is coming to grips with the fact that despite making a lot of correct choices is however somehow failing her son. Her acrimony and self-loathing are palpable, just as her fear and sadness are. Brescia is particularly wonderful in conveying her almost overwhelming love for her son. Brava! Taking over a Tony-nominated role also brings its own challenges, and frankly, as much equally I enjoyed Mike Faist the kickoff fourth dimension around, Alex Boniello  was even ameliorate. Brooding, a little frightening, and also vulnerable and even funny, Boniello hands became the focus of every scene he was in. Bravo!

Alex Boniello and Andrew Barth Feldman

And then, now I'll admit the primary reason I hated and had pretty much written off Dear Evan Hansen. I loathed Ben Platt'south functioning, which was and so overwrought, then affected, then one-note, information technology felt like an insult to every kid suffering from anxiety and is somewhere on the autism spectrum. I say this without irony or hyperbole: Andrew Barth Feldman  gave 1 of the unmarried finest performances I have ever witnessed. "Brilliant" doesn't come close to how I felt nigh his star turn as Even Hansen. It was just so honest and perfectly rendered. And so natural - I never once felt like he was acting or working himself up to any kind of emotional outburst. Instead, each tear he shed (and there were a lot of them) was and so in the moment, I couldn't assist but join him. He's not simply a bully player for a teenager, he's a cracking actor flow. There are no limits to what this young man can practise. I for one, tin't look to watch his career take off.

Boy, am I thankful I gave this wonderful prove a 2d gamble.

📸: J. Kyler, M. Murphy

#2127

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Source: http://www.jkstheatrescene.com/2019/07/review-dear-evan-hansen.html

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