5 Reasons Why Dear Evan Hansen is the Musical We Need Right Now

    Move over, Hamilton.

    Erica Moss
    by Erica Moss

    Community Contributor

    1. Ben Platt will charm your socks off.

    BuzzFeed / Via img.buzzfeed.com

    Many know him as the lovable Benji Applebaum from the Pitch Perfect franchise, but he’s no stranger to the theater stage, including roles in Book of Mormon, The Music Man and The Sound of Music.

    As the lead character, Evan Hansen, Ben nervously giggles, apologizes and stumbles into your heart as a teenage boy who struggles with feeling like an outsider, watching the world pass by. He’s vulnerable and dynamic and mesmerizing.

    2. The score will melt your face off.

    BuzzFeed / Via ak-hdl.buzzfed.com

    From superstar writers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (think: Smash and Dogfight), we are blessed with a bevy of original songs that will absolutely devastate you one moment & then make your heart soar in the next (The “Mom Song”? If you need me, I’ll be in the fetal position.)

    3. The topics it tackles are real & important.

    Via tumblr.com

    Evan sees a therapist & takes medication to help control the crippling fear he experiences in most social situations (the very idea of greeting the delivery guy at the door sends him into a panic). It’s not difficult to see a piece of yourself or someone close to you in Evan’s struggles. The story also takes us on a journey of belonging, yearning, loss and much more.

    4. Social media adds depth & authenticity.

    Via tumblr.com

    When a page created to memorialize one of the characters takes on a life of its own, garnering likes, comments and donations from all over the world, you have a front-row seat to the power of community & virality. We watch them grieve and face scrutiny but also find strength in strangers through the lens of social media.

    5. The critical acclaim makes it hard to ignore.

    Via giphy.com

    If a quick skim of reaction tweets from people who’ve seen it aren’t enough to convince you, check out the glowing reviews from The New York Times, Washington Post & Vulture.

    TL;DR — Dear Evan Hansen will break your heart into a million pieces & then put it back together again. Snag a ticket before it’s too late.