scoop. Who are the stars of Dear Evan, the cult musical?

Broadway musical theater is still seeking to rebrand itself and began that process a little over a decade ago. Less paraphernalia, more theatricality, better stories. Next to Normal (almost normal) was a fundamental piece in this process, which was followed by other titles such as Fun Home, Finding Neverland, Eleven (Once in life), Groundhog Day, Band’s Visit, Hadestownthe latest version of Once on this Island and Dear Evan Hansenamong other.

Director Michael Greif circumscribes Dear Evan Hansenin the same footprint of his unforgettable almost normal. But not only that unites them. They are also linked by their production in Argentina since Pablo Del Campo and Javier Faroni, two of the producers of Dear Evan (together with Pablo Terruzzi), are the same makers of that great iconic event that was almost normal.

Of the creative minds of hits like films La La Land and the great showman and the series Smash, Dear Evan It will premiere on May 4, at the Metropolitan Sura Theater in Buenos Aires. First premiered off Broadway and then on Broadway and the West End, it almost immediately became a cult work, followed by a large number of young audiences.

It tells the story of a lonely boy with anxiety disorders who is faced with an unexpected and completely out of control situation that leads him, from one day to the next, to become a viral phenomenon. It is an inspiring and current story that narrates a path full of misunderstandings that will help Evan discover himself, open up to the world and find a way out for himself and those around him.

It is conceived by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and swept the Tony Awards. A text out of the ordinary, complex characters and a deliciously dramatic score shine the modern staging of Greif, who was nourished not only by prodigious voices but also by superlative performers, such as Ben Platt (The Politician) and Rachel Bay Jones, just to name a few.

The Buenos Aires version is directed by Sebastián Irigo (Back in Patagonia, Kill Hamlet), with musical direction by Tomás Mayer Wolf and general production by Pablo Del Campo.

For the leading character of Evan, more than 600 young people signed up for an online call. Experienced artists and other novices were part of the auditions, but with high preparation. The chosen one was Máximo Meyerwho was part of the cast of Almost normal, once in a lifetime and Who holds who?, among other. Also, among those registered, it was discovered Franco Valerga, who went to an audition for the first time in his life. Producers say he is “a diamond in the rough” and will alternate for the role of Evan in a few weekly shows.

For the important role of Heidi, Evan’s mother, the experienced folk singer Julia Zenkowho has already demonstrated her talent as an actress in musicals such as Maria of Buenos Aires, Zorba, Orestes and blood brothersamong other.

The co-starring cast is made up of Guido Balzaretti, the leading musical figure in Spain, with many important titles to his credit in that country and in Argentina, who will play Connor; while Laura Conforte (currently in mothers and protagonist of almost normal and the novice rebel) and Fabio Aste, talented film, television and theater actor (currently in Veronica’s house), will incarnate their parents. The rest of the cast is completed by Rocío Hernández (almost normal), Mariel Percosi (Hair, Alice in Frikiland) and Mariano Condolucci (The disgrace). For his part, Tomás Mayer Wolf (currently part of the Les Luthiers group) will lead an eight-piece orchestra.

Dear EvanUndoubtedly, it is one of the most anticipated titles for fans of musical theater and it is expected to once again attract countless young viewers who know the characters, the songs, and the course of this cult work in the world. . It will perform from Wednesday to Sunday and joins other musicals of North American origin that will be released this season, such as tootsie, Matilda and heathers.

In 2021, the film version of Dear Evan HansenDirected by Stephen Chbosky. In Argentina it was not released in theaters, but it can be seen by streaming. It should be noted that the film is not a filmed version of the stage musical, but a complete cinematic rethinking, with new musical numbers and the development of a supporting character into a well-rounded and complex young woman. It also starred Ben Platt –accompanied by Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amy Adams–, but it’s not worth watching. It is far from the excellence of its theatrical version.

It made its Broadway debut at the Music Box Theater in December 2016 after its world premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington DC in July 2015, and an off-Broadway production between March and May 2016. The physical edition of the soundtrack It was released on compact disc on February 24, 2017, and a year later it received the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. that season, Dear Evan Hansen swept the Tony Awards. Out of nine nominations, she won six: Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Lead Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and Best Orchestration. The play also won two Drama League, three Drama Desk, two Obie and three Helen Hayes Awards.