The Power of Dear Evan Hansen – A Mesmerising Production in Milton Keynes

Packed with some of the biggest musical theatre songs of the last decade, Dear Evan Hansen boasts a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Oscar-winning composers of The Greatest Showman), a book by Steven Levenson, and more awards than we can shake a stick at.

Last night, we had the privilege of being invited to watch this award-winning musical at Milton Keynes Theatre, and what an experience it was. This latest tour production has taken an already poignant and powerful show and elevated it to new heights, thanks to an incredibly strong cast who delivered performances brimming with intensity and emotion.

The principal cast featured Ryan Kopel as Evan Hansen, Lauren Conroy as Zoe Murphy, Alice Fearn as Heidi Hansen, Helen Anker as Cynthia Murphy, Richard Hurst as Larry Murphy, Killian Thomas Lefevre as Connor Murphy, Will Forgave (understudy) as Jared Kleinman, and Vivian Panka as Alana Black. Having seen the show in London previously and knowing the show so well, we can confidently say that this production felt even more impactful and was somehow, improved, with each performer fully committing to their roles, bringing depth and nuance to every scene.

Ryan Kopel was nothing short of exceptional as Evan Hansen. His performance was electrifying, balancing the character’s awkwardness and vulnerability with soaring, effortless vocals. By the final curtain, we were exhausted on his behalf, such was the emotional depth he brought to the role. It was no surprise to see him receive a well-deserved standing ovation—he is undoubtedly a young talent to watch.

Having previously seen Lauren Conroy in Babies, we were eager to see how she would take on the role of Zoe Murphy, and she did not disappoint. She exuded warmth and sincerity, capturing Zoe’s struggles with a subtle yet powerful performance and her voice is just beautiful.

Meanwhile, Alice Fearn, a firm favourite among musical theatre fans, delivered as expected. Her rendition of So Big/So Small, following the emotionally charged Words Fail, was devastatingly moving—our entire row (and likely every other row in the theatre) was reduced to tears. Knowing what was coming didn’t make it any less impactful.

Of course, fan favourites like Waving Through a Window, For Forever, and You Will Be Found landed with their usual emotional weight, but for us, the standout number was Requiem. The trio of Hurst, Anker, and Conroy gave such a raw, powerful rendition that it left an undeniable impact.

In contrast, Sincerely Me was a welcome moment of light relief amid the show’s heavy themes. You could feel the entire audience collectively exhale, enjoying a brief respite before the emotional rollercoaster continued.

The ensemble worked well to lend their vocals to the big numbers and seamlessly transitioned scenes, adding fluidity to the production. However, at times, we found the choreography a little literal and distracting, occasionally pulling focus from the emotional core of certain moments.

The beauty of Dear Evan Hansen lies in its raw, honest portrayal of mental health, loneliness, and human connection, and this cast delivered that message with authenticity and heart. We left the theatre deeply moved, immediately listening to the soundtrack on repeat and checking future tour dates—because once just wasn’t enough. Next time, we’ll be sure to bring tissues!