GMG Productions’ ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ In Manila Is A Must-See Musical Event That’s Not To Be Missed – Review

For any musical aficionado, Dear Evan Hansen is arguably one of the greatest things to come out of Broadway in recent years. 

Having become one of the most popular original musical productions over the past decade, the Tony-winning production has spawned numerous hit tracks, launched superstars out of its cast, and even developed an impassioned fanbase worldwide –– all of whom have resonated with both the musical’s message and music.

Millions have followed the journey of the titular character, Evan Hansen, following him as he navigates his senior year of high school, grippling with social anxiety in the aftermath of a tragedy that rocks both himself and his community.   

Though the production is now out of Broadway and West End, fans of the show (especially here in the Philippines and in Asia) have been given the opportunity to witness the show in its full glory with GMG Productions’ highly anticipated staging of Dear Evan Hansen, featuring the UK Touring Production’s cast and crew. 

Running from September 4 to October 5 of this year, the local production of the renowned musical features direction by Adam Penford, and asks us to relive Hansen’s experiences live and up close, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the narrative, almost as if we were a part of the story itself. 

Even just by entering the Theater at Solaire alone, members of the audience were greeted by photowalls that replicated iconic pieces of the set – immersing themselves in the universe of Dear Evan Hansen. Eager to get their hands on precious merchandise or capture photos by the memorabilia scattered throughout the entrance, crowds of keen theater fans made for an especially electric energy in the venue. 

Furthermore, through a quick survey of the crowd, it was clear to see that the theater itself were not only just theater fans, but renowned actors, stage producers, and the like. Overall, the gala was a massive gathering of the Manila theater community – which provided a particular intimacy to the atmosphere as members of the audience would greet one another with a sense of nostalgia and excitement.

Although the stage of Solaire’s theater may not be the largest in the city, the production design made great use of the space provided. In sequences like “Waving Through A Window,” the large LED screen were convincingly made into windows, even projecting shadows of figures passing by for a fully immersive experience. Where social media was involved, these same panels would show live feeds and videos to convey the impact Evan Hansen had on the Internet. While LED screens have become somewhat of a norm in modern day stage productions, mirrors on the edges of the stage reflected the light these screens would project to depict illusions of a bigger space.

Undeniably, the main highlight of the show was surely the performances of its cast –– comprised of Ellis Kirk as Evan Hansen, alongside Rebecca McKinnis as Heidi Hansen, Zoë Athena as Zoe Murphy, Helen Anker as Cynthia Murphy, Hal Fowler as Larry Murphy, Rhys Hopkins as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson as Jared Kleinman, and Olivia-Faith Kamau as Alana Beck –– for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s original songs and compositions for the musical were given justice by the talented lineup of performers assembled for this production.

Kirk’s leading performance was absolutely stellar, perfectly conveying the lived-in nature of Evan Hansen, allowing us to feel every emotion as we followed both his struggles and triumphs all the way through the story. His vocal performance was pitch-perfect yet equally emotive in execution, which made for a heartfelt translation of the internal heartaches of his character –– making us sympathize with his actions, even if he wasn’t always necessarily in the right. 

Another standout is that of Rebecca McKinnis’s take on Heidi Hansen, as she conveys her character in such a realistic manner that it’s absolutely heartbreaking to witness. The struggles of an overworked single mother trying to connect deeply with her distant (yet hurting) child may have resonated deeply with the crowd, but it was her devastating take on “So Big / So Small” that nearly drew the entire audience into tears by the show’s final act. 

Zoë Athena, Helen Anker, and Hal Fowler allowed audiences to feel the Murphy family’s loss, yet the heaviness of their respective roles and portrayals was balanced out by the comedic aspects of Rhys Hopkins’ Connor, Tom Dickerson’s Jared Kleinman, and Olivia-Faith Kamau’s Alana Beck –– each of whom delivered the much-needed lightness necessary to the story (albeit with underlying depression and frustrations that most high schoolers feel).

The message that Dear Evan Hansen imparts is simple: no one is truly alone, and everyone deserves to feel seen. As Evan struggles with making friends in school, communicating with his mother, and finding space to be himself, he fails to see how those around him are grappling with their own fears of isolation as well. From characters seemingly as headstrong as Evan’s mother and Zoe Murphy to those as shut-off as Larry Murphy, the cast of Dear Evan Hansen show that no one is exempt from wanting to feel seen.

While the musical itself makes themes of grief, mental health, and suicide feel almost light through its comedic and feel-good undertones, the realistic portrayal of how family and community come together to face these issues makes the tearjerker scenes hit especially hard.

Overall, Dear Evan Hansen’s official tour debut in Manila may have been long-anticipated, but the wait was fully worth it. In every sense, the production lives up to its reputation as one of Broadway’s most compelling musical triumphs in recent years. 

From its emotionally charged performances to its innovative staging and powerful means of storytelling, the Manila production by GM Productions proves just how timeless and universally resonant this show truly is –– even if you were never familiar with the source material beforehand. Seamlessly blending heart-wrenching emotion with relatable, real-world themes, this staging captures the very essence that made the original such a phenomenon.

Executed with such care, authenticity, and excellence, Dear Evan Hansen in Manila is not just your usual theatrical event, but a deeply moving experience for anyone and everyone. For longtime fans and first-time viewers alike, this show is a must-watch that reminds us all of the importance of connection, compassion, and being seen.

Get your tickets to GMG Productions’ Dear Evan Hansen here.

Listen to the soundtrack of Dear Evan Hansen featuring the original Broadway cast below: