Review: Dear Evan Hansen – Church Hill Theatre

Dear Evan Hansen is a big show which deals with big themes: anxiety, depression, suicide, familial loss, betrayal, and more.

It has an even bigger song – the anthemic “You Will be Found” – which is in equal parts adored and despised by those touched by suicide. Added to this, its songs are technically demanding in terms of range and content.

So, it was with some trepidation I agreed to review this amateur production of the show from Room 29. However, I needn’t have worried – Neil Lavin and Lou Everett’s team produced the goods – and then some.

A Powerful Take on a Modern Musical Behemoth

For those unfamiliar with this musical behemoth (no review would be complete without mentioning its multiple Tony, Grammy, and Laurence Olivier awards), the plot focuses on Evan Hansen (Sebastien Schneeberger), a US high school student who suffers from anxiety. His mother (Eilidh Todd) is never around, working long hours to support the family, and arranges for him to see a psychiatrist.

As part of his therapy, he must write encouraging letters to himself. He prints one off at school where it is found by another misfit, Connor Murphy (Harrison Owens). Connor dies by suicide shortly after (offstage) and Evan’s letter is found on him, leading to a series of misunderstandings that Evan initially falls victim to and then actively exploits.

Schneeberger Masters One of Musical Theatre’s Most Demanding Roles

Dear Evan Hansen is a production on which the success lies with the titular role. Evan is the focal point and is on stage continuously throughout – a lot of lines to deliver, a lot of challenging notes to be hit in songs such as “Waving Through a Window”, a lot of acting his physical and emotional problems, and no time to gather your thoughts offstage in between. Oh – and there’s the US accent as well. This role needs a strong leading man and Schneeberger is just that. It is a privilege to listen to his singing. Like Romeo, this role can’t be played by an older person pretending to be a teenager (Ben Platt looked ridiculous in the film version) but it is a big ask of a young person.

However, Schneeberger masters the role and allows the audience to connect with the character. His main challenge is working on Evan’s physicality – I felt the presentation of his nerves could have been dialled back a bit.

Strong Standout Performances from the Supporting Cast

Our anti-hero is well supported by the other members of the cast, particularly the Murphy family and Jared Kleinman (Scott Binnie). Jared acts as Evan’s conscience in a number of scenes and brings a touch of humour to the proceedings. Evan’s other inner voice is provided by the now-deceased and much kinder Connor, and the trio provide a great burst of energy in the song “Sincerely, Me” as they forge emails between Connor and Evan.

The Murphy Family (Emma Clarkson, Lyndsey McGhee, and Paul Kelly-Copland) also deliver standout performances: Connor’s parents are stunned by his death and turn on each other, his sister Zoe rebels against the lionisation of the brother who terrorised her and made the family’s lives hell, their thoughts coming together in the note-perfect “Requiem”.

Dear Evan Hansen has no antagonist as such – just a series of deeply flawed characters. Most of these are victims of circumstance or have some other reason for you to feel sympathy for them, although it was difficult to see much good in Alana Beck – Bethany Dunion makes a great job of the superficial and self-serving blogger.

Cutting-Edge Visuals and Live Music at Church Hill Theatre

It is a real treat to have an eight-piece band which enhances the songs.

Another strand of the show is the reaction by people to social media. This and Evan’s laptop are cleverly used on the backdrop – not just a simple screenshare; James Gow has put a lot of effort into effective collages which run throughout. The wardrobe choices are understated, everyday clothing which allow the acting and singing to come through.

My only complaint would be that the two halves of the show are uneven – the real drama and the best songs are in the first half, leaving Evan to dig himself out of the mess he has created in the second, with songs which are not weak on their own but not at the exceptional level heard earlier in the performance.

I have already recommended this show to two friends – do go to see it if you have the chance.

Featured Image: Sebastien Schneeberger as Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen by Room 29

Dear Evan Hansen will play the Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, until Saturday 13th June 2026. For tickets or more information, click here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/room29theatre/1858484