Centre Stage’s 'Dear Evan Hansen' explores truth, grief and human connection

Nearly a decade after “Dear Evan Hansen” premiered on Broadway, the Tony Award-winning musical continues to speak to audiences wrestling with loneliness, belonging and the search for human connection.

For Centre Stage director Erin Gill, those enduring themes are what make the musical especially timely as it opens its run in Greenville.

“I think art should be asking hard questions,” Gill said. “And I think this musical does that.”

The musical runs Aug. 6-23 at Centre Stage.

The story follows socially isolated high school student Evan Hansen, whose attempt to comfort the grieving family of a classmate who dies by suicide grows into a deception that changes the lives of everyone around him.

Along the way, the musical explores truth, grief, family relationships and the longing to be seen and understood.

“I think the show is asking the question, at what point can a lie offer comfort to people?” Gill said. “And if it does, is it worth it? I don’t think the play gives an answer to that, but I do think it explores it.”

Although “Dear Evan Hansen” has become especially popular among teenagers and high school theater students, Gill believes its emotional impact reaches well beyond younger audiences.

The Broadway production of “Dear Evan Hansen” was nominated for nine 2017 Tony Awards, winning six, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score.

The musical features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson and a rock-inflected score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman”).

‘You Will Be Found’

Centre Stage’s production also features an eight-piece live band under music director Chase McAbee.

“The songs are so good,” Gill said. “They could almost do the show with the lights off, and it would still be great.”

Gill expects the production to attract younger theatergoers, many of whom discovered musical theater through “Dear Evan Hansen.” But she hopes audiences of every age leave reflecting on one of its central messages expressed in the song “You Will Be Found.”

“No one should be invisible,” she said. “We have the ability as a community to make sure the people around us are seen.”

Theatergoers should note: “Dear Evan Hansen” contains mature themes and language, including discussions of suicide, mental health struggles, and some strong language: PG-13 recommended.