Dear Evan Hansen is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson.

The story follows Evan Hansen; a high school senior with social anxiety, who "invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn".

It's a show which has become a firm fan favourite ever since it opened on Broadway in 2016, followed by a stint in the West End three years later. There followed six TONY Awards, including Best Musical, a Grammy, three Olivier's and two WhatsOnStage awards - so this musical is a big deal!

Dear Evan Hansen is also lauded for its approach to tackling depression and social anxiety, especially amongst younger generations - which is exactly the audience who identify with the show.

If I'm honest, that was my first stumbling block and the reason I'd never engaged with Dear Evan Hansen until now. I think I dismissed the musical as 'hype', being another in a wave of new productions which have garnered support on social media but which, ultimately, might not live up to expectations.

Fortunately, I quite enjoy being proven wrong!

This show matches every positive adjective in the dictionary - and then some. It's 160 minutes of constant goosebumps, visually stunning with a sublime soundtrack. More over, it's an emotionally intelligent piece of theatre with a 14-strong team of disgustingly talented performers who are beautifully cast.

Ryan Kopel takes on the lead role of Evan - and that could be seen as somewhat of a poison chalice. It's a part that's so synonymous with Ben Platt, who played it on stage for four years and in the big screen version. However Kopel gives us his own spin on the character, even down to an alternative costume which sees the famous blue and white striped polo shirt ditched. 

Coupled with Kopel's superb stage presence, it meant the production could be judged on its own merits and not compared to its predecessors - and 'our' Evan's merits are numerous. Kopel is vocally exceptional and gives a compelling performance that ticks every box ten times over.

Lauren Conroy takes on Zoe - Evan's long time crush and the one thing that seemingly makes him happy. The duo have a remarkable chemistry and Conroy has an incredible knack of conveying emotion without the need to say a word. Her final scenes with Kopel play to the classic line ' 'I'm not angry, I'm disappointed' and that calm sentiment that maybe things could have been different is payed so beautifully you can feel Evan's disappointment from the dress circle.

Conroy is an incredible talent who will be leading companies before you know it.

And talking of incredible talent, one of my two bucket list things to do this evening was to see the inimitable Alice Fearne on stage. Fearne's talent is incredible, having played a number of female powerhouses - and this role is no different. From a matriarchal standpoint, think 'Margaret New' and you're on the right track. 

Is Heidi flawed? Absolutely. Do you empathise with her despite knowing that? Definitely - and that's the skill and quality that Fearne brings to the role. Needless to say her vocals are flawless and, although there's no 'Defying Gravity' moment as such, her seamless connection to the music, especially the large ensemble numbers, means you can see she's having a blast - and so are the audience.

Dear Evan Hansen plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 5th April 2025. For more information, or to get your tickets, head to grandtheatre.co.uk.