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Lately, it’s not just the rains that have been pouring in Manila, but also a wave of theater musicals, turning the season into one of song, dance, and powerful performances.

Earlier this month, the Theater at Solaire presented the Tony Award and Oliver-Award Award-winning Best Musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” moving Filipino audiences with its touching storyline, inspiring songs, and important messaging.

The stage musical debuted in 2015 with music and lyrics by composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Snow White”), and a book by screenplay writer Steven Levenson (“tick, tick ... BOOM!”). It follows the story of a high school senior with social anxiety who gets mistaken as a close friend of a classmate who dies by suicide, leading him to fabricate a lie that spirals into an unexpected journey of connection, guilt, and self-acceptance. The musical has also been adapted into a movie in 2021, with Ben Platt reprising the role he originated on stage, alongside actors Kaitlyn Dever, Julianne Moore, and Amy Adams.

GMG Productions and ATG Productions joined forces to bring this Broadway hit to the Philippine stage for the first time, which featured the UK Touring Production’s cast and crew. The Beat Asia got to witness the brand-new staging of the beloved musical, and here’s why we believe it’s more than just your average Broadway export.

Tears and Truths in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

One thing that makes “Dear Evan Hansen” stand out among other stage plays is its contemporary relevance, which manifests through its story and modern sound.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s how it goes: Evan is an anxious high school student longing for a sense of belonging. As advised by his therapist, he writes letters to himself, journaling what made his days good and worth celebrating. When one of these letters is mistaken for a final note from his classmate, Connor Murphy, who has died, his life takes an unexpected turn as he’s pulled into the boy’s grieving family.

Misunderstandings and assumptions stack up one over the other until Evan had woven a lie so intricate that it became impossible to get out of. The fabricated story, however, allowed him to connect with new people, making him feel like he now belonged. As the story unfolds, he becomes torn between telling the truth and losing everything, and maintaining a lie that brings him closer to the life he had always longed for.

This musical explores modern issues like social anxiety, depression, and the role of social media in shaping identity and relationships. The latter, especially, is woven so deeply into the story, showing just how powerful a tool it can be in spreading awareness, providing support, and becoming a bridge for connection. But like a two-edged sword, it was also portrayed as having the power to easily destroy someone’s life or reputation in a single click.

What we love about this show is how it’s direct in its messaging without feeling preachy, and how real and personal it feels. Unlike big, flashy musicals with intricate plotlines and out-of-this-world characters, “Dear Evan Hansen” zooms in on one teenage boy’s struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and wanting to be seen. That simple premise sparked massive conversations beyond the stage about mental health, authenticity, and connection, giving it a social impact and making it a memorable experience for theatergoers.

It may not boast grand sets, large ensembles, or intricate props and backdrops, but its emotional rawness kept audiences engaged. Some notable scenes include the self-pep talks Evan does with an imaginary Connor — especially the one in the second act when he’s forced to face the reality of his accident at the park, and the “Requiem” musical number the Murphys perform, which shows the different ways people deal with grief.

Lighting and the projected screens were also utilized well on stage, emphasizing various emotions and providing additional movement like silhouettes walking across the screen while Evan passes through crowded hallways or the projected social media accounts during “You Will Be Found,” demonstrating how Evan’s speech went viral and put him in the spotlight, spiraling deeper into his fabricated story that has now turned into a movement. In his conversations with Connor, the latter is always a step behind him, which allows the spotlight to focus on Evan, all the while giving Connor a muted sheen. From the audience, it makes him look like a ghost or a figment of one’s imagination. Their voices during these scenes also seem to reverberate more, emphasizing the haunting truth.

This production’s emotional core lies in its music, which, ICYDK, won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2018. Throughout the 16 musical numbers, viewers are taken on an emotional journey that starts in loneliness and ends in self-discovery and belonging. It also leans more toward pop than traditional theater tunes, which makes it easier to connect to, especially for younger audiences.

“Waving Through a Window” conveys feelings of being an outsider and longing to make a meaningful connection, while “For Forever” beautifully captures Evan’s deepest desires — to simply make a friend and have the most perfect day together.

There are also anthemic and inspirational tracks like “You Will Be Found,” which emphasizes that no matter how lonely or isolated one feels, there is always someone who will find and support them, and even romantic ballads like “If I Could Tell Her” and “Only Us,” which reflect Evan’s developing relationship with Connor’s sister, Zoe.

The current production cast did a remarkable job restaging this iconic show, each actor breathing new life into their character. Sonny Monaghan’s Evan was nothing short of spectacular. While his vocals in the opening song started a little shaky at first, the actor quickly found his footing, his voice soaring as the show progressed. His performance drew real tears during “For Forever,” when Evan fabricates his story about Connor, and again in “Words Fail,” when he finally comes clean about his lies. It was also impressive how closely his tone echoed that of the original Broadway Evan, without ever feeling like an imitation.

Rebecca Mckinnis, as Heidi, delivered an emotional and heartfelt “So Big/So Small,” perfectly capturing the unconditional love of a parent. Her distinctive mix of country twang and rock edge added grit and punch to “Good For You,” making it one of the standout moments of the night. Meanwhile, Tom Dickerson brought natural charisma to Jared, providing a much-needed break between the heavier scenes. His playful “Soda Pop” line — a clever nod to the film K-Pop Demon Hunters — earned plenty of laughs from the audience. Meanwhile, Rhys Hopkins made an impressive professional debut as Connor. Though his role kept him absent for much of the show, he left a lasting mark with his commanding stage presence and powerful vocals. His impressive range had us eager to see what roles he takes on next.

If there was one moment that fell short, it was the romantic duet “Only Us,” which lacked some of the tenderness and chemistry we were hoping for. Still, this was a minor dip in what was otherwise a beautifully executed production. With such a gifted cast, the show was moving, heartfelt, and a worthy tribute to the original.

Final Verdict

This limited run is a true gift for Filipino theater enthusiasts, offering not only captivating entertainment but also moments of deep insight and emotional resonance. More than its amazing cast and award-winning music, “Dear Evan Hansen” proved that change can start from somewhere small, like a post on your feed, or on a bigger platform, like a theater’s stage. It also sends the message that you are not alone and that everyone has a place to belong.

Relatable and moving, we highly recommend seeing it while you still can! The show is currently running at the Theater at Solaire until Oct. 5, 2025. You can book your tickets here.

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Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Standing Ovation reviews here.