“You Will Be Found”: The impact “Dear Evan Hansen” has on CCHS students

BY ARIELLE KRAUS

The story of a teenage boy enduring the challenges of high school, anxiety and depression has made its way to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. “Dear Evan Hansen” takes its audience on a journey through the eyes of an anxious and awkward teenage boy.

Being that “Dear Evan Hansen” is a Tony Award-winning musical, there was no doubt that the touring cast would be incredibly talented. Ben Levi Ross, the star of the musical playing Evan Hansen, blew the audience away with his unbelievable voice and acting skills.

Many CCHS students attended “Dear Evan Hansen.” The message that this show provides to its audience is important for today’s youth as it sheds light on depression, anxiety and feeling alone. Although this show is not the most uplifting production, each scene and song shows individuals that they are not alone.

“This show is a celebration of love and acceptance and speaks about how everyone has a purpose and a place where they belong in the world,” sophomore Will Barringer said. “It’s not impossible to overcome fear and the obstacles life throws at you.”

“This show is a celebration of love and acceptance.”

The entire Broward Center filled with tears as Jessica Phillips, who played Evan’s mother Heidi Hansen, sang the song “So Big, So Small.” This piece is the last song before the finale and reflects how the mother felt when Evan’s father walked out on their family. She expresses to Evan that she will always be there for him “no matter what.”

“Dear Evan Hansen” is worth attending for all individuals, especially high school students. Almost everybody has felt alone at some point in their life, and this show proves that “you are not alone.”

“The message of this show is extremely important because it emphasizes the point that ‘no one deserves to be forgotten,’” junior Sarah Salamon said. “Even though the show has a roller coaster of events, some of which were not based [on] good decisions, the message still stayed the same overall.”

This production reaches out to a wide audience and touches each person who has the pleasure to watch it.

“This show impacted me because I have a love for theater and a younger sister with anxiety and depression,” sophomore Rachel Goldberg said. “I was able to feel the story emotionally and connect to it. Having a sister with these same struggles, I know she has felt all of the things ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ was about.  It gave me hope that she is going to find her place and learn that I will never leave her alone.”

The touring cast of “Dear Evan Hansen” did not fail to reach every note and perform each song perfectly.

The set of “Dear Evan Hansen” is simple, but very modern. They utilize technology and screens to engage the audience and display things such as emails, documents, pictures and social media.

The music in this show is extremely emotional and difficult to perform. The touring cast of “Dear Evan Hansen” did not fail to reach every note and perform each song perfectly.

Although the show came out a few years ago, the message does not change and each cast does not fail to put their audience on a roller coaster of emotions.

“‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is one of my favorite shows because of its message,” sophomore Samantha Sigal said. “Today, with all of the stress over school, extracurricular activities and relationships, it’s easy to feel alone. The story provides hope and reminds people that no one is alone. Getting to watch it was an amazing experience.”

Photo by Genna Nordling