Some theatre shows entertain, some tug at your emotions, and then there are those that stir something deep and stay with you long after the final bow. Dear Evan Hansen is one of those shows. From the very first note, this production delivers a raw and deeply human story; a tale of connection, identity, and the desperate need to be seen and no one delivers that more powerfully than Ryan Kopel, who was utterly captivating as Evan. I have never been so drawn to a character and their performance as I was to his and the whole production was a perfect balance of quick-witted humour and heartbreaking moments, much like life, and all brought together with comical lyrics, creative dance routines and powerful solo numbers.
Kopel’s performance is nothing short of phenomenal. He brings a vulnerable, jittery fragility to Evan that feels heartbreakingly real; I felt every word he spoke and sang. As an audience, you feel every awkward pause, every anxious breath, every attempt to blend in when the world feels too loud. His rendition of Waving Through a Window is a standout moment, both haunting and beautiful and a perfect portrayal of that feeling of being on the outside looking in. Something which I feel many of us have felt at some point in our lives.
The storyline hinges on a single white lie; an impulsive moment that spirals into something far bigger than Evan ever imagined. What begins as a way to avoid an awkward truth turns into a lifeline for a grieving family, giving them hope, comfort, and a version of their son they didn’t get to know. And for Evan, it becomes a way to feel seen, accepted, even loved, in a world that so often leaves him feeling invisible.
This show lays it all bare: the pain, the guilt, the unintended consequences, the bittersweet healing. It explores how people cling to meaning in grief, how we all edit the truth to fit the stories we need, and how even a lie can come from a place of longing and love.
The set design and lighting beautifully support the storytelling in a clean, modern, and ever-shifting way, reflecting the chaos of the online world and the internal noise so many young people experience. The use of projections and digital backdrops mirrors the social media whirlwind Evan finds himself caught in and adds a sense of pace and urgency to the unfolding drama.
What makes this production truly special, though, is how normal and real it is. It could be about any one of us; it’s about flawed people making emotional decisions. It’s about mental health, loneliness, and how far someone will go just to feel like they belong.
Dear Evan Hansen isn’t just a musical. It’s an emotional kick to the stomach, a conversation starter, and at times, a mirror. I found myself completely absorbed, shedding not only a tear but ending in a flood of them. At the heart of it is a boy who just wants to be found. And thanks to Ryan Kopel’s incredible performance, you’ll find yourself completely lost in his story.
Review by Hannah Martinig
Meet Evan: an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, on his way to fitting in, he didn’t tell the whole truth. And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he’d have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him.
Dear Evan Hansen at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Tue 10 Jun to Sat 14 Jun 2025.
Book Tickets for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre