It will probably take me a long time to truly wrap my head around what we saw yesterday, or to fully appreciate the theatrical artistry of the cast/crew/writers. I've seen a lot of theatre in my lifetime, but this particular show seems to have reached out and connected me to emotions I'm not sure I even knew I had inside me.
Emery - who first learned about the show when we watched a clip of the actors performing on the Today Show in December - has been listening to the Original Cast album non-stop since it was released in early February. I had listened to it once through, but made a purposeful decision to distance myself as much as I could from the story-line and the specific lyrics of the show because I wanted to experience this drama through the lens of the mostly-uninformed. In the end, I think she and I both enjoyed the experience equally. Her familiarity with the score and libretto served to increase her excitement and anticipation to see the "original cast" perform it on Broadway. And I will admit that I was pretty excited to see an original-cast. Never before have I had a chance to experience a cast perform the roles they themselves originated.
Because this is an original story (not based on a book or a movie) a lot of friends have been asking me, "What's the show all about?" For anyone not familiar with the show's premise, I'd suggest this NBC News video that gives a behind the scenes look at the story.
Or this from the Playbill might be the most succinct way to provide context without giving too much away:
Or this from the Playbill might be the most succinct way to provide context without giving too much away:
Dear Evan Hansen movingly explores themes of love, loneliness, grief and the each for connection, as experienced by the show's endearing 17--year-old title character.
And ...
Dear Evan Hansen centers on an anxiety-ridden young hero who finds himself enmeshed in another family's tragedy after a letter he writes goes awry - an unusual scenario for a musical.
Emery and I were both - naturally - keeping our fingers crossed that we would see the original actors, and not understudies. I'm sure those on standby to step-in are fabulous actors in their own right, and thoroughly prepared to play their parts. Still, when one is traveling to Broadway to see a show's "Original Cast," you certainly hope you'll see the actors originating the roles. Of all the actors we most wanted to see, Ben Platt (Evan Hansen) topped the list. And when the lights of the theatre went quickly dark, and with almost no pause a singular spotlight suddenly illuminated Ben Platt's face, I felt a rush of relief wash over me.
Platt's performance was, for all practical purposes, indescribable. I'll try, of course, but nothing I could write would adequately convey what we watched unfold on the stage. This quote, by a theatre critic, is printed on the stage door to the theatre: " ... you sit up and wonder if you're actually hearing and seeing what he's doing. He introduces a new level of reality not just to the musical but to Broadway, and you worry for him: How can he survive that level of intensity? How can we?"
This sums up exactly how I felt as I watched him perform the title role of Evan Hansen. It was gut-wrenchingly raw with emotion; the theatre was in tears as Act 1 closed, and again at the end of the show. I'm not embarrassed to admit tears streamed down my face frequently, and I was appreciative that the woman sitting on the other side of Emery had been smart enough to bring tissues, and offered Emery one as she worked (in vain) to control her tears. I've never seen any theatrical performance that comes close to rivaling what Ben Platt displayed on the Music Box stage, and I honestly cannot imagine ever being as impressed again.
As amazing as Platt was in his role, I should also say that the other seven talented actors in the eight-person ensemble were terrific as well. They were each impressive, and I especially appreciated the performances of two of the "parents" in the show: Michael Park (Larry Murphy) and Rachel Bay Jones (Heidi Hansen). As it turned out, both actors came out the Stage Door following the performance and greeted fans/signed autographs. I was taken by their genuine warmth in speaking with fans. Those small conversations never felt rushed, and they came off as authentic and grateful artists. I was especially impressed they came out to chat with us despite having to mentally and emotionally reset for their evening performance that was just a couple hours away.
Emery has listened to the "Original Broadway Cast Recording" at least 100x more than I have at this point, but I suspect I will slowly catch up with her. I listened to it twice through on the flight home last night as it prolonged a wonderful day that Emery and I will never forget. 
