Dear Engeman Theater: You Deserved that Standing Ovation for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

The John W. Engeman Theater opened its 2026/2027 Season with a bang, presenting "Dear Evan Hansen," a Tony Award-winning musical. Let me take a moment to list the 2017 Tony Awards this not-to-be-missed musical received: a whopping six, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress, and Best Orchestrations.

Written by Steven Levenson, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, "Dear Evan Hansen" premiered in 2015 at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. In 2016, it was produced Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre before opening on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in December 2016, where it ran for 1,678 performances before closing in September 2022.

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People often claim that being young, being a teenager, is the best time of life, but for anyone who has ever been a teenager and especially for anyone who has ever raised one, you know that statement is surely one for the book of "Old Wives' Tales!" What makes this show so compelling is that it doesn't shy away from hot topics like suicide, mental illness, loss, drug abuse, social anxiety, the impact of social media, family dysfunction, alienation, bullying, peer pressure, and the toll these issues take on individuals, families, and society at large.

Brilliantly directed by Scott Weinstein, this stellar cast brought their energy, strong acting and vocal skills, and passion for perfection to this must-see production.

Joe Serafini delivered an award-worthy performance as Evan Hansen, a socially anxious high school senior and only child who struggles to connect with his classmates and his mother. He feels like an outsider, always on the sidelines, while everyone else seems to know how to fit in and enjoy life. Serafini showcased his vocals throughout the show, delivering a heartfelt rendition of "Waving Through a Window," an emotional pop-rock anthem in which he expresses his sense of isolation and invisibility as the other cast members rush past him, oblivious to his plight.

Christina DeCicco was captivating as Heidi Hansen, Evan's single, devoted, hardworking mother, who loves her son deeply yet is plagued by unrelenting guilt and fears she has somehow failed him. One of the show's highlights was DeCicco's spellbinding performance of the gut-wrenching ballad "So Big/So Small."

Danny Meglio was perfectly cast as Jared Kleinman, Evan's not-so-friendly friend and accomplice, who brings much-needed comic relief to the story. Jared has the heart of a mercenary, has mastered the art of gallows humor, and has a mind that moves at the speed of AI, always calculating, "What's in it for me?"

Jimmy Schumacher delivered a spot-on portrayal of Connor Murphy, a troubled, defiant, disliked, out-of-control teenager known for bullying others and abusing drugs. A round of applause goes to Robin Levine, who choreographed "Sincerely Me," a darkly comedic, ultra-fast-paced pop-rock number featuring Evan, Jared, and Connor.

Aquila Sol aced the role of Zoe Murphy, Connor's sister and Evan's love interest, who struggles with her complicated relationship with her brother. She refuses to rewrite history and make a saint out of a brother who made her life a living hell.

Maggie Bera was riveting as Cynthia Murphy, Connor and Zoe's mother, a woman desperate to understand her son's life and actions, while trying to hold her disintegrating marriage and family together.

Ryan M. Hunt gave a standout performance as Larry Murphy, Connor and Zoe's father, a successful lawyer whose strained relationship with a son he could neither control nor connect with has wreaked havoc on his life and marriage. Hunt has strong vocals, and his nuanced delivery of "To Break in a Glove" was an unforgettable onstage moment.

Bera, Hunt, and Sol's emotionally raw trio, "Requiem," struck a deep chord with its layered harmonies and a heaping dose of brutal honesty.

Arwen-Vira Marsh delivered a noteworthy performance as Alana Beck, an ambitious, enterprising young woman who wants to make a difference.

Act I closed on a high note with "You Will Be Found," which begins as a soft solo backed by a piano ballad and builds into a big production number featuring the entire cast, including the talented ensemble Zac Decker, Chris Donovan, Lily Grubert, Alex Kidder, and Jordan Radis.

If you have tweens and teenagers, treat them to this show. Afterward, start a conversation. Talk about the issues, the real ones, the hard ones, the old elephant in the room we were all taught to ignore or sweep under the rug. You'll all be better off because of it! This thought-provoking musical runs through October 25, 2026.

I am praying the Engeman Theater extends the run of "Dear Evan Hansen!" You can buy tickets by calling 631-261-2900, visiting engemantheater.com, or by going to the John W. Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." She won the 2026 Press Club of Long Island Media Award in the Narrative Arts Category for outstanding journalism.