‘Dear Evan Hansen’ comes to Eisenhower Auditorium on March 27

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—The Center for the Performing Arts will present the Penn State engagement of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical that connected the world — “Dear Evan Hansen” — at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post, ”Dear Evan Hansen” takes a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected and social media-filled lives.

Call 814-863-0255 or visit “Dear Evan Hansen” online for more information and to purchase tickets.

Visit discounts for information on available ticket-discount programs, including the Arts Engagement Family Program, a free ticket program for Penn State students, and a ticket discount for Penn State employees.

This production is recommended for ages 12 and older, and contains adult themes, including discussions of suicide.

About the musical: Evan Hansen is a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Evan finally gets what so many of us are searching for — the chance to finally fit in. What follows is a poignant, funny, and powerful musical about how even though it can be hard, we can find each other — and ourselves — along the way.

Including some of the most iconic musical theater songs from the last decade, including “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through A Window” and “For Forever,” “Dear Evan Hansen” features an uplifting score by the Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Oscar Award-winning team behind “The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land” and “Only Murders in the Building” Benj Pasek and Justin Paul; and a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson.

The cast includes Michael Fabisch in the title role of Evan Hansen, Hatty Ryan King as Zoe Murphy, Bre Cade as Heidi Hansen, Caitlin Sams as Cynthia Murphy, Alex Pharo as Connor Murphy, Jeff Brooks as Larry Murphy, Gabriel Vernon Nunag as Jared Kleinman and Makena Jackson as Alana Beck. The cast also includes understudies Michael Perez (Evan alternate), Monica Blume, Julianna Braga, Blake Ehrlichman and Dale Obermark.

“Dear Evan Hansen” features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman and sound design by Nevin Steinberg.  Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the associate music supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Direction restaging by Danny Sharron and Mark Myars (who also restages choreography) Original Broadway production directed by Michael Grief and choreographed by Danny Mefford. Casting is by Murnane Casting.

“Dear Evan Hansen” was originally produced on Broadway, a North American tour, and in Toronto and London by Stacey Mindich. The Broadway production opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on Dec. 4, 2016, won six 2017 Tony Awards and ran through Sept. 18, 2022. A record-breaking North American tour launched in October 2018 and played over 100 cities before ending on July 2, 2023.

“Dear Evan Hansen” is produced by Crossroads Live North America and is presented through a special licensing arrangement with Music Theatre International, New York.

Sensory accommodations

American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center by Thursday, March 13, at artstix@psu.edu or by calling 814-863‑0255 to discuss ASL seating preferences.

Audio description also will be offered for this performance. Reservations are required and must be made by Thursday, March 13. Call the Sight Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814-238-0132 to reserve the service.

The center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Learn more about the center’s available Accessibility services online.

Acknowledgements

ASL is supported by Shih-In Ma. A grant from the University Park Student Fee Board makes Penn State student prices possible. Support for accessibility services is provided by William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support.

Find us

For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook and Instagram.