Dear Evan Hansen - Wikipedia Dear Evan Hansen This article 's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. ( July 2018 ) Dear Evan Hansen Official logo Music Benj Pasek Justin Paul Lyrics Benj Pasek Justin Paul Book Steven Levenson Premiere July 10, 2015 : Arena Stage, Washington, D.C. Productions 2015 Washington, D.C. 2016 Off - Broadway 2016 Broadway Awards Obie Award for Musical Theatre Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical Tony Award for Best Original Score Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off - Broadway Production Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album Dear Evan Hansen is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson. The musical opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in December 2016, after its world premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC, in July 2015 and an Off - Broadway production in March to May 2016. The titular character, Evan Hansen, is a high school senior with severe social anxiety, which inhibits his ability to connect with other people and make friends. After the death of one of his classmates, he fabricates a lie that inadvertently brings him closer to the classmate 's family, while also allowing him to gain his own sense of purpose. The musical has received critical acclaim, particularly for Ben Platt 's leading performance, the lyrics, and the book, and has served as a touchstone for discussion about pre-mature storytelling and themes explored in musical theatre, particularly that of mental illness and youth suicide. At the 71st Tony Awards, it was nominated for nine awards, winning six, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Actor in a Musical for Platt, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Rachel Bay Jones. Contents 1 Background 2 Synopsis 2.1 Act 1 2.2 Act 2 3 Roles and principal casts 3.1 Original casts 3.2 Broadway cast replacements 3.3 Characters 4 Musical numbers 4.1 Recording 5 Productions 5.1 Original Washington, D.C. production 5.2 Original Off - Broadway production 5.3 Original Broadway production 5.4 First National Tour 5.5 Canadian production 6 Critical response 7 Honors and awards 7.1 Original Washington, D.C. production 7.2 Original Off - Broadway production 7.3 Original Broadway production 8 Novelization 9 Books 10 References 11 External links Background The musical has its origins in an incident that took place during Pasek 's high school years. The musical `` takes the notion of a teenager,... Evan Hansen, who invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn. '' Synopsis Act 1 Evan Hansen is a teenager who struggles with severe social anxiety which makes it hard for him to make friends. His therapist recommends that he write letters to himself detailing what will be good about each day. Before the first day of his senior year in high school, his mother, Heidi, suggests that he make new friends by asking people to sign the cast on his arm, which he broke by falling out of a tree over the summer. Across town, the wealthy Murphy family -- Cynthia, Larry, and their children Zoe and Connor -- sit down to breakfast. Zoe and Larry berate Connor for getting high before school, while Cynthia struggles with the fact that her family is falling apart. The two mothers wonder simultaneously how to connect with their sons ( `` Anybody Have a Map ? '' ). At school, Evan runs into Alana, a smart classmate, and Jared, his only friend. Both Alana and Jared notice his broken arm, but neither signs his cast -- instead, Jared teases Evan about it. Jared and Evan then run into Connor, whom Jared pokes fun at. Connor interprets Evan 's awkwardness as making fun of him, resulting in Connor pushing Evan to the ground. Connor 's sister Zoe, whom Evan has a massive crush on, feels obligated to apologize for her brother 's behavior. Evan wonders if this is his destiny -- to be ignored and an outcast, never getting the girl of his dreams ; `` on the outside always looking in '' for the rest of his life ( `` Waving Through A Window '' ). Evan writes himself another letter. He states he has given up on it being a good year and how he wonders if anyone would notice if he were not there. He remarks that all his hope is now pinned on Zoe, since his crush on her is the only thing that brings him happiness. While printing the letter in the school 's computer lab, he encounters Connor again, now much more subdued than he was in the morning. Connor asks what happened to Evan 's arm and offers to sign his cast, musing that maybe now they can both pretend they have friends. After signing the cast, he reads Evan 's letter ( which he grabbed from the printer as a favor ) and becomes furious at the mention of Zoe, thinking Evan intended for him to see the letter in order to make fun of him. He storms out, taking the letter with him. Several days pass with no sign of Connor. Evan is in an intense state of anxiety over what Connor might have done with the letter, and tells Jared online about his assignment to write letters to himself, and how he 's worried about what Connor might 've done with the letter. Jared remarks that Connor has always been completely out of his mind. Later that day, Evan is called to the principal 's office, where Connor 's parents are waiting to meet him. They tell Evan that Connor died by suicide a few days before with Evan 's letter in his pocket. Believing it to be Connor 's suicide note addressed to Evan, they ask Evan if he and Connor were close, as Connor had never mentioned having friends before. Not wanting to further their grief and unsure what to do, Evan agrees to go to their house to talk about Connor. There, after seeing Cynthia 's distress over the loss of her son, Evan panics and, rather than telling the truth, begins to fabricate an intricate story of his and Connor 's friendship, claiming he and Connor kept up a secret email correspondence and recounting a fictional version of the day he broke his arm in which Connor was with him ( `` For Forever '' ). Later, Heidi reminds Evan that he needs to begin applying for college scholarships. She mentions hearing about Connor 's death, but Evan tells her not to worry and that he did n't know Connor. Seeing Connor 's name signed on his cast, Heidi confronts Evan, but he lies, saying that someone else named Connor signed it. After realizing he needs evidence of his supposed `` secret email account, '' Evan enlists Jared 's help in creating fake, backdated email conversations between himself and Connor ( `` Sincerely, Me '' ). After Evan shows the Murphy family Connor 's ' emails ', Cynthia is ecstatic that her son had a friend, but Larry is more hurt that Connor took his family and his privileged life for granted ; Zoe, who was alienated by Connor 's aggressive behavior, refuses to mourn him at all ( `` Requiem '' ). However, after reading the suicide note, Zoe notices that she is mentioned and asks Evan why Connor would say that about her ; Evan, unable to tell her the truth, tells her all the reasons he loves her under the guise of Connor saying them ( `` If I Could Tell Her '' ). Overcome with emotion, he impulsively kisses Zoe, but she pulls away and tells him to leave. At school, Evan and Alana notice that people are starting to forget about Connor. Spurred on by a vision of Connor, Evan enlists Alana and Jared 's help in founding `` The Connor Project '' -- an organization dedicated to keeping Connor 's memory alive. The three pitch the idea to the Murphys, who agree to support the project ( `` Disappear '' ) ; moved by his dedication, Cynthia gives Evan a necktie she had gotten for Connor that he had never worn, and asks Evan to wear it when he speaks at Connor 's memorial service. At the official launch of The Connor Project, Evan gives an inspiring speech about his loneliness and friendship with Connor, which goes viral. Zoe, overcome by the impact her brother and Evan have had, kisses him ( `` You Will Be Found '' ). Act 2 Evan and Alana pitch a fundraising idea on The Connor Project 's website. In memory of Connor, they want to raise $50,000 in three weeks to reopen the abandoned apple orchard that Evan and Connor supposedly spent time in. Despite Alana 's total devotion the project, Evan becomes preoccupied with his new relationship with Zoe and his newfound family in the Murphys, and begins to neglect his mother, Jared, and The Connor Project ( `` Sincerely, Me ( Reprise ) '' ). Heidi tells Evan that she saw the video of his speech on Facebook and asks him why he did not tell her about The Connor Project or about his and Connor 's friendship. He angrily responds that he did not have the time because she is never around. Overcome with emotion, he then rushes off to the Murphys ', telling her that he is going to Jared 's. At the Murphys ', Evan bonds with Larry Murphy and confides in him that his father left when he was young, has remarried, and no longer keeps in touch with him or his other relatives. Larry offers him an old baseball glove of Connor 's that was never used ( `` To Break in a Glove '' ). Sometime later, at Evan 's house, Evan makes an offhand comment to Zoe about how he and his mother do not have much money and he needs scholarships to pay for college. When he begins to mention Connor, Zoe tells him that she does not want their relationship to be about Connor, but about the two of them ( `` Only Us '' ). Evan gets into a fight with Jared, who claims that Connor 's death was the best thing that ever happened to Evan -- he is no longer invisible and has landed the girl of his dreams. Later on, Evan goes to the Murphys ', only to discover that they have invited Heidi for dinner. Heidi, who has no idea that Evan had spent time at the Murphys ', is mortified when Larry and Cynthia offer to use the money that they had set aside for Connor 's college fund to send Evan to school instead. After returning home, Heidi and Evan fight over his secrecy and deception. When Heidi proclaims that the Murphys are not Evan 's family, Evan confesses that he feels not only welcomed but also accepted by the Murphys in light of Heidi 's absence and expectations towards Evan 's mental health. Heidi tearfully berates him for running off to his new family, while Alana begins to find inconsistencies in the fake emails Evan `` received '' from Connor and suspects that the entire story is a lie. Beginning to panic, Evan urges Jared to help him clear up the inaccuracies, but Jared refuses due to Evan 's own absence. Evan counters that Jared himself had acted as a friend to him only when he needed something from him. Jared threatens to expose Evan, and Evan warns him he could, in turn, open up about Jared 's role in the lie. Heidi, Alana, and Jared converge in Evan 's conscience, compounding his guilt and doubt over his decisions ( `` Good for You '' ). Evan decides he has to come clean with what he has done. Imaginary Connor attempts to talk him out of it, citing the happiness he has given the Murphys and the fate of Evan 's relationship with Zoe, but Evan does not back down, angrily shouting that he needs the whole thing to be over. Connor is unconvinced and asks Evan how he broke his arm : did he fall by accident or actually let go ? Evan denies suicidal intent, but Connor tells him that if he tells the truth, all he has will be gone, and the only thing he will be left with is himself. He disappears, leaving Evan alone. Evan goes to apologize to Alana, but she says she has given up on Evan helping her with The Connor Project. She doubts the truth of Evan 's repeated statements that he was Connor 's best friend, since they were never seen together, and she says that it is easy to create fake backdated emails. Desperate, Evan says he has proof that they were friends. He shows her the letter to himself that he wrote when he was giving up on having a good year, claiming it to be Connor 's suicide note. Realizing that the letter is the key to fulfilling the fundraising goal, Alana posts it online where, to Evan 's chagrin, it goes viral. As a result, many people begin to believe Connor 's suicide was because of his uncaring, wealthy parents. Evan is distraught and goes to see the Murphys, who have become the targets of hateful comments from people who believe they were responsible for Connor 's death. He walks in on the three of them fighting about why Connor really killed himself and finally admits that he fabricated the entire thing, hopeful that he could forge a genuine bond with the Murphys out of the tragedy. As Zoe and her mother tearfully run out, Larry turns away from Evan in disgust. Alone once more, Evan absorbs his perceived brokenness as inescapable ( `` Words Fail '' ). Evan finds Heidi waiting for him at home. She saw the letter online, and immediately knew that it was one of Evan 's therapy assignments. She apologizes to Evan for not seeing how badly he had been hurting, though Evan denies her guilt due to his deception. He then vaguely admits that his fall was a suicide attempt. Heidi sits him down and recalls the day that his father moved out : how she felt so small and alone and did not know how she was going to make it by herself. In the end, however, she realized that she was not alone -- she had Evan and knew that the two of them could make it through anything so long as they were together. Tearfully, Heidi promises that she will always be there for him when he needs her ( `` So Big / So Small '' ). A year later, Evan is still living at home and working at Pottery Barn to earn enough money to go to college the next semester. He contacts Zoe, whom he has not seen since the day she found out the truth, and asks if she will agree to meet him. She does, but insists that they meet at the orchard that has been reopened in Connor 's memory. He apologizes for the pain he caused her family and admits that he has been reading Connor 's ten favorite books after finding a list in an old yearbook in an attempt to connect with who he really was. He also thanks her and her parents for keeping his secret and reveals that they never told anyone else that his friendship with Connor was a lie. She forgives him, saying the whole ordeal brought her family closer together over the past year because `` everyone needed it for something. '' Evan asks her why she insisted on meeting at the orchard, and she replies that she wanted to be sure he saw it, and the two share a gentle moment before they part. Evan mentally writes himself one last letter reflecting on the impact he has had on his community and finally accepts himself ( `` Finale '' ). Roles and principal casts Original casts Character Washington, D.C. ( 2015 ) Off -- Broadway ( 2016 ) Original Broadway Cast ( 2016 ) National Tour ( 2018 ) Evan Hansen Ben Platt Ben Levi Ross Heidi Hansen Rachel Bay Jones Jessica Phillips Zoe Murphy Laura Dreyfuss Maggie McKenna Cynthia Murphy Jennifer Laura Thompson Christiane Noll Larry Murphy Michael Park John Dossett Michael Park Aaron Lazar Connor Murphy Mike Faist Marrick Smith Alana Beck Alexis Molnar Kristolyn Lloyd Phoebe Koyabe Jared Kleinman Will Roland Jared Goldsmith Evan Hansen ( alternate ) N / A N / A Michael Lee Brown Stephen C. Anthony Broadway cast replacements Evan Hansen : Noah Galvin ; Taylor Trensch Connor Murphy : Alex Boniello Heidi Hansen : Lisa Brescia Characters Evan Hansen -- A high school senior who struggles with severe social anxiety. He is assigned by his therapist to write letters to himself about why each day will be good, which becomes the catalyst for the plot of the story. He also has never had any friends, and has had a crush on Zoe Murphy for a very long time. After Connor 's death, he begins to tell lies of him being friends with Connor to the Murphy family because they found Evan 's letter to himself folded up in Connor 's pocket ; they thought Connor wrote it to Evan. The first act centers on his outreach propelled by Connor 's death, while the second act has him unleash his yearning towards the Murphys and his anger towards Heidi and Jared, who he believes have used him for validation and ignored him when they did n't need him. Heidi Hansen -- Evan 's mother, a nurse 's aide who attends paralegal school at night, often leaving Evan on his own as a result. She tries to connect with Evan, but struggles because she does n't personally understand what he goes through on a daily basis. Having been left by her ex-husband years prior to raise Evan on her own, she exhibits possessive and jealous behavior once she learns of the Murphys ' interest in securing Evan 's future. However, she comes to see her failings and Evan 's concealed sorrow as a wake - up - call not to hide from her son. Zoe Murphy -- Connor 's younger sister and Evan 's longtime crush. She was never close to Connor, hated him even, but wishes she had known him better and turns to Evan after he lies and says he was friends with Connor. She is initially mad at Evan when he comes clean about the lies, but eventually forgives him. Cynthia Murphy -- Connor and Zoe 's stay - at - home mother. She is constantly trying to keep her fragile family from falling apart, but is often unsuccessful. She clings to the memory of Connor even though she was never close with him, and her relationship with Larry and Zoe suffers because of it. The second act elaborates on her past attempts at coaxing Connor through expensive retreats, and her bitterness towards her husband 's distance. Larry Murphy -- Connor and Zoe 's busy father. He works hard to give his family a relatively easy life, but he is emotionally distant from all three of them. He becomes close with Evan, who never had a strong father figure, and begins to see Evan as the son Connor never was. However, as the letter becomes public, he 's faced with his role in Connor 's alienation and the truth behind Evan 's outreach. Connor Murphy - A high school senior who is also a social outcast with no friends, like Evan. He is a frequent drug user, and becomes aggressive when he is high. He is very protective of his sister Zoe, even though they are not close. He commits suicide early on, but his image returns in Evan 's imagination to guide him. Evan 's imaginary version of Connor is likable, contributing to Evan 's belief that they could have been friends. His death is the basis of the whole story. Alana Beck -- Evan 's precocious and sometimes insufferable classmate. She is constantly looking for academic and extracurricular activities to boost her collegiate chances. She never knew Connor, but is greatly affected by his death and the concept of mortality, and quickly joins Evan in founding the Connor Project in order to keep Connor 's memory alive. Jared Kleinman -- Another of Evan 's classmates ; he is the closest person Evan has ever had to a friend. The son of a family friend of the Hansens, he initially says that he only talks to Evan so his parents will pay for his car insurance. Jared is very adept with computers and technology, so Evan enlists his help in crafting fake emails from Connor. However, as Evan becomes preoccupied with his relationship with the Murphys and fails to further Jared 's prominence in the Project, Jared turns his snide nature against Evan once more, only to be confronted by his own self - centeredness. Musical numbers Act 1 `` Anybody Have a Map ? '' -- Heidi, Cynthia `` Waving Through a Window '' -- Evan `` Waving Through a Window '' ( Reprise # 1 ) * -- Evan `` Waving Through a Window '' ( Reprise # 2 ) * -- Alana `` For Forever '' -- Evan `` Sincerely, Me '' -- Connor, Evan, Jared `` Requiem '' -- Zoe, Cynthia, Larry `` If I Could Tell Her '' -- Evan, Zoe `` Disappear '' -- Connor, Evan, Alana, Jared, Larry, Cynthia, Zoe `` You Will Be Found '' -- Company Act 2 `` Sincerely, Me '' ( Reprise ) * -- Connor, Jared `` To Break in a Glove '' -- Larry, Evan `` Only Us '' -- Zoe, Evan `` Good for You '' -- Heidi, Alana, Jared, Evan `` For Forever '' ( Reprise ) `` * -- Connor `` You Will Be Found '' ( Reprise ) * -- Company `` Words Fail '' -- Evan `` So Big / So Small '' -- Heidi `` Finale '' -- Company * Not included on the Original Broadway Cast Recording Recording An original Broadway cast album was released at midnight on February 3, 2017. The second song on the album, `` Waving Through A Window '', was released as a special early download for those who had pre-ordered the album. The fifth song, `` Requiem '', was made available to stream for 24 hours on January 26, 2017, a week before the release of the cast recording. The song was released as a second pre-order bonus the next day. The recording of the Act 1 finale `` You Will Be Found '' was available for a first listen online on January 30, 2017. The cast album debuted at number 8 on the February 25 Billboard 200. The cast album became available in compact disc format on February 24, 2017. The cast album, produced by Alex Lacamoire, featuring the band from both the original Off - Broadway and Broadway productions, including Ben Cohn ( piano ), Jamie Eblen ( drums ), Justin Goldner and Dillon Kondor ( guitars ), Rob Jost ( bass ), Justin Smith, Todd Low and Adele Stein ( strings ) and won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Productions Original Washington, D.C. production Dear Evan Hansen premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., running from July 10 to August 23, 2015. Directed by Michael Greif, with orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, the set was designed by David Korins and the projection design was by Peter Nigrini. The cast featured Ben Platt in the title role. Original Off - Broadway production The musical opened Off - Broadway at the Second Stage Theater on March 26, 2016, in previews, with the official opening on May 1. The cast featured Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Will Roland and Jennifer Laura Thompson repeating their roles from the Arena Stage production. New cast members were John Dossett and Kristolyn Lloyd. Michael Greif again directed, with choreography by Danny Mefford. The Off - Broadway engagement closed on May 29, 2016. Original Broadway production The show premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2016, in previews, and officially opened on December 4. After originally announcing that performances would take place at the Belasco Theatre, in mid-September 2016, producers announced that the show would instead be performed at the Music Box Theatre. Michael Park, who originated the role of Larry in the Arena Stage production, returned for the Broadway production ( replacing John Dossett who went on to the musical War Paint ). All other cast members from the Second Stage production returned for the Broadway engagement. Ben Platt played his last performance on November 19, 2017. Noah Galvin replaced Platt on November 21, 2017 and played until February 2018. Taylor Trensch played two performances in the show before officially replacing Galvin on February 6, 2018. First National Tour A U.S. Tour was announced, starring Ben Levi Ross in the title role. It will also star Jessica Phillips in the role of Heidi Hansen, Jared Goldsmith in the role of Jared Kleinman, and Phoebe Koyabe in the role of Alana Beck. Also joining the cast will be Christiane Noll in the role of Cynthia Murphy, Aaron Lazar as Larry Murphy, Marrick Smith in the role of Connor Murphy, and Maggie Mckenna in the role of Zoe Murphy. The tour will start in Denver in October 2018 and will go on to play more than fifty cities. Canadian production The show will play its first international performance in Toronto, Canada. The production is slated to begin performances in March 2019. Critical response Derek Mong, in his review of the musical at the Arena Stage, wrote that the `` inventive set design by David Korins... that transforms a small stage into a platform for the most intimate living room where a mother and son share a heart - to - heart to the physical abyss of internet cyberspace... book by Steven Levenson... lyrics and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul... heartfelt lyrics with universal appeal joined by the perfect, oftentimes acoustic, accompaniment that can change the mood from somber to celebratory to sinister in a single bar of music. '' Barbara Mackay in reviewing the Arena Stage production for TheatreMania wrote : `` Levenson, Pasek, and Paul set themselves two high, untraditional bars in Evan Hansen : exploring a community 's grief and examining a lonely protagonist who desperately wants to connect with that community... Ben Platt is outstanding as Evan... Since the success of the musical depends entirely on whether Evan 's solitary nature appears funny or weird, Evan 's ability to laugh at himself and make the audience laugh is crucial. Platt is charming as he eternally twists his shirt tails and hangs his head... Although the themes of grief and loneliness are serious, the musical is anything but somber. It addresses challenging facts of life. But from start to finish, when Evan leaves his room and finds an authentic life outside it, Dear Evan Hansen contains far more joy than sadness. '' Susan Davidson, in her review of the Arena Stage production for CurtainUp, noted : ``... it helps to suspend the disbelief that sullen, anti-social teenagers can change quickly. Surely that 's a process requiring time - released hormonal adjustments. It is hard to accept that a long - admired - from - afar girl can change Evan 's outlook on life so rapidly or that Connor 's teenage disequilibrium leads him to do what he does. Coming through loud and clear, however, is the fact that what starts as deceit can be blown totally out of proportion by the Internet where lies are disseminated with lightning speed leaving plenty of victims in their wake... The music is pleasant, not terribly original but good enough to get toes tapping. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul 's ballads stand out, particularly Heidi 's `` So Big / So Small, '' Evan 's `` Words Fail '' and Zoe and Evan 's young sweethearts duet `` Only Us. '' '' Charles Isherwood, in his review of the Second Stage production for The New York Times, noted : `` The songs, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ( Dogfight, A Christmas Story ), strike the same complex notes, with shapely, heartfelt lyrics that expose the tensions and conflicts that Connor 's death and Evan 's involvement cause in both families. The music, played by a small but excellent band on a platform upstage, is appealingly unstrident pop - rock, with generous doses of acoustic guitar, keyboards and strings. It 's the finest, most emotionally resonant score yet from this promising young songwriting team. '' Dear Evan Hansen is a recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. Honors and awards Original Washington, D.C. production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2016 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Musical -- HAYES Production Won Outstanding Direction of a Musical -- HAYES Production Michael Greif Won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical -- HAYES Production Laura Dreyfuss Nominated Jennifer Laura Thompson Nominated Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical -- HAYES Production Won Outstanding Lighting Design -- HAYES Production Japhy Weideman Nominated Outstanding Musical Direction -- HAYES Production Ben Cohn Nominated Outstanding Set Design -- HAYES Production David Kornis ( Set Design ) and Peter Nigrini ( Projection Design ) Nominated Original Off - Broadway production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2016 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical Steven Levenson ( Book ) and Pasek & Paul ( Lyrics & Music ) Nominated Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Off - Broadway Musical Won Outstanding New Score ( Broadway or Off - Broadway ) Pasek & Paul Nominated Outstanding Book of a Musical ( Broadway or Off - Broadway ) Steven Levenson Won Outstanding Director of a Musical Michael Greif Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Musical Ben Platt Nominated Outstanding Projection Design ( Play or Musical ) Peter Nigrini Nominated Off Broadway Alliance Awards Best New Musical Nominated Drama League Award Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off - Broadway Musical Nominated Distinguished Performance Ben Platt Nominated Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Pasek & Paul Won Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Rachel Bay Jones Nominated Outstanding Projection Design Peter Nigrini Nominated Obie Awards Obie Award for Musical Theatre Steven Levenson ( Book ) and Pasek & Paul ( Lyrics & Music ) Won Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actor Ben Platt Won 2017 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Musical Nominated Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical Ben Platt Won Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Rachel Bay Jones Won Outstanding Projection Design Peter Nigrini Nominated Original Broadway production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2017 Tony Awards Best Musical Won Best Book of a Musical Steven Levenson Won Best Original Score Pasek & Paul Won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Ben Platt Won Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Mike Faist Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Rachel Bay Jones Won Best Lighting Design of a Musical Japhy Weideman Nominated Best Direction of a Musical Michael Greif Nominated Best Orchestrations Alex Lacamoire Won Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off - Broadway Production Won Distinguished Performance Ben Platt Won Rachel Bay Jones Nominated 2018 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Kristolyn Lloyd, Michael Park, Ben Platt, Will Roland & Jennifer Laura Thompson ( principal soloists ) ; Pete Ganbarg, Alex Lacamoire, Stacey Mindich, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul ( producers ) ; Benj Pasek & Justin Paul ( composers / lyricists ) Won Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Ben Platt & the Cast of Dear Evan Hansen `` You Will Be Found '' ( performed on The Today Show ) Won Novelization The musical was adapted into a young adult novel by actor and singer - songwriter Val Emmich, in collaboration with Pasek & Paul and Levenson. The novel, which will also feature additional material based on scenes and songs cut from the show 's development that flesh out and expand upon the story, will be released by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on October 9, 2018. Books Levenson, Steven ; Pasek, Benj ; Paul, Justin ( 2017 ). Dear Evan Hansen. Theatre Communications Group. 144pp. ISBN 978 - 1559365604. Levenson, Steven ; Pasek, Benj ; Paul, Justin ( 2017 ). Dear Evan Hansen : Through the Window. Grand Central Publishing. 224pp. ISBN 978 - 1538761915. References Jump up ^ Isherwood, Charles ( May 1, 2016 ). `` Review : ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Puts a Twist on Teenage Angst ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ Marks, Peter ( July 10, 2015 ). `` Dear Evan Hansen : Original story, high hopes for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ''. The Washington Post. ^ Jump up to : Deb, Sopan ( August 22, 2017 ). `` ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Names Replacements for Ben Platt ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ `` Alex Boniello Joins DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Mike Faist and Will Roland to Play Final Performances ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018. Jump up ^ McPhee, Ryan ; Gans, Andrew ( August 7, 2018 ). `` Broadway 's Dear Evan Hansen Welcomes Wicked and Mamma Mia ! Alum Lisa Brescia August 7 ''. Playbill. Retrieved August 11, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Dear Evan Hansen Announces Cast Recording Playbill ''. Playbill. Retrieved February 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Stream Dear Evan Hansen 's `` Requiem '' Ahead of Album Release Playbill ``. Playbill. Retrieved February 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Must Listen : Check Out a Track From the Dear Evan Hansen Cast Album Playbill ''. Playbill. Retrieved February 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Top 200 Albums ''. Jump up ^ `` Dear Evan Hansen Cast Recording Makes Billboard Top 10 -- Playbill ''. Jump up ^ `` Dear Evan Hansen ( Original Broadway Cast Recording ) - Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic ''. AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2018. Jump up ^ `` See The Full List Of 60th GRAMMY Winners ''. GRAMMY.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2018. Jump up ^ Gioia, Michael ( July 30, 2015 ). `` Pasek and Paul 's Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C. '' Playbill. Jump up ^ Clement, Olivia ( February 2, 2016 ). `` Ben Platt to Star in NY Premiere of New Musical ' Dear Evan Hansen ' ''. Playbill. Jump up ^ Cox, Gordon ( August 13, 2015 ). `` Buzzy Musical ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Sets New York Run ''. Jump up ^ Gioia, Michael ( August 13, 2015 ). `` Following Its D.C. Run, Pasek and Paul 's Dear Evan Hansen Will Transfer to New York ''. Playbill. Jump up ^ Clement, Olivia ( March 26, 2016 ). `` Pasek and Paul 's ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Bows in New York ''. Playbill. Jump up ^ Clement, Olivia. `` ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Opens on Broadway December 4 '' Playbill, December 4, 2016 Jump up ^ Viagas, Robert. `` ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Announces Broadway Theatre, Date and Cast '' Playbill, June 7, 2016 Jump up ^ Gordon, David. `` Ben Platt - Led ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Finds a New Broadway Home '' theatermania.com, September 12, 2016 Jump up ^ Clement, Olivia. `` ' Dear Evan Hansen to Premiere Music Video at Exact Same Time as Tonight 's Live Broadway Performance '' Playbill, November 14, 2016 Jump up ^ Desk, BWW News. `` Ben Levi Ross Will Play Evan in DEAR EVAN HANSEN National Tour ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018. Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew. `` Jessica Phillips Will Join Ben Levi Ross in National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen ''. Playbill.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018. Jump up ^ Desk, BBW News. `` Jared Goldsmith Joins DEAR EVAN HANSEN Tour as Jared Kleinman ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018. Jump up ^ Desk, BBW News. `` DEAR EVAN HANSEN Tour Finds Its Overachiever - Phoebe Koyabe to Play Alana Beck ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018. Jump up ^ Desk, BBW News. `` DEAR EVAN HANSEN Announces Tour Stops and Complete Cast ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 7, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Mirvish - Dear Evan Hansen ''. www.mirvish.com. Jump up ^ Mong, Derek ( July 31, 2015 ). `` ' Dear Evan Hansen ' at Arena Stage ''. dcmetrotheaterarts.com. Jump up ^ Mackay, Barbara ( August 4, 2015 ). `` Reviews. ' Dear Evan Hansen ' ''. theatermania.com. Jump up ^ Davidson, Susan ( July 30, 2015 ). `` CurtainUP Review. Dear Evan Hansen ''. CurtainUp. Jump up ^ Isherwood, Charles ( May 2, 2016 ). `` Review : ' Dear Evan Hansen ' Puts a Twist on Teenage Angst ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ `` Dear Evan Hansen ''. arenastage.org. Jump up ^ `` 2016 Helen Hayes Awards ''. theatrewashington.org. 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 2016 Outer Critics Awards ''. outercritics.org. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 2016 Drama Desk Awards ''. dramadeskawards.com. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 2016 Drama League Awards ''. dramaleague.org. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 2016 Drama Desk Awards ''. playbill.com. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Winners Announced for 61st Annual Obie Awards ''. playbill.com. 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Tony Awards 2017 Nominees '' ( PDF ). Tony Awards. Jump up ^ `` Breaking : DEAR EVAN HANSEN, GREAT COMET & More Earn Drama League Awards Nominations ; Check Out the Full List ! ''. BroadwayWorld.com. April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards ''. GRAMMY.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Grammys 2018 : Complete list of nominees ''. Los Angeles Times. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017. Jump up ^ http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles-theater/news/ben-platt-and-dear-evan-hansen-cast-emmys_84538.html Jump up ^ http://emmyonline.com/day_45th_nominations Jump up ^ http://www.playbill.com/article/a-novel-adaptation-of-dear-evan-hansen-will-be-released-in-october External links Official website Off - Broadway Internet Database Broadway Internet Database Awards for Dear Evan Hansen Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Rachel Platten ( 2016 ) Cynthia Erivo and the Cast of The Color Purple ( 2017 ) Ben Platt and the Cast of Dear Evan Hansen ( 2018 ) Tony Award for Best Musical 1949 - 1975 Kiss Me, Kate ( 1949 ) South Pacific ( 1950 ) Guys and Dolls ( 1951 ) The King and I ( 1952 ) Wonderful Town ( 1953 ) Kismet ( 1954 ) The Pajama Game ( 1955 ) Damn Yankees ( 1956 ) My Fair Lady ( 1957 ) The Music Man ( 1958 ) Redhead ( 1959 ) The Sound of Music / Fiorello ! 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Freedman ( 2014 ) Fun Home by Lisa Kron ( 2015 ) Hamilton by Lin - Manuel Miranda ( 2016 ) Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson ( 2017 ) The Band 's Visit by Itamar Moses ( 2018 ) Tony Award for Best Original Score 1947 - 1975 Street Scene by Kurt Weill ( 1947 ) Kiss Me, Kate by Cole Porter ( 1949 ) South Pacific by Richard Rodgers ( 1950 ) Call Me Madam by Irving Berlin ( 1951 ) No Strings by Richard Rodgers ( 1962 ) Oliver ! by Lionel Bart ( 1963 ) Hello, Dolly ! by Jerry Herman ( 1964 ) Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick ( 1965 ) Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion ( 1966 ) Cabaret by John Kander and Fred Ebb ( 1967 ) Hallelujah, Baby ! by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green ( 1968 ) Company by Stephen Sondheim ( 1971 ) Follies by Stephen Sondheim ( 1972 ) A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim ( 1973 ) Gigi by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner ( 1974 ) The Wiz by Charlie Smalls ( 1975 ) 1976 - 2000 A Chorus Line by Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban ( 1976 ) Annie by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin ( 1977 ) On the Twentieth Century by Cy Coleman, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green ( 1978 ) Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim ( 1979 ) Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice ( 1980 ) Woman of the Year by John Kander and Fred Ebb ( 1981 ) Nine by Maury Yeston ( 1982 ) Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot ( 1983 ) La Cage aux Folles by Jerry Herman ( 1984 ) Big River by Roger Miller ( 1985 ) Drood by Rupert Holmes ( 1986 ) Les Misérables by Claude - Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer, and Alain Boublil ( 1987 ) Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim ( 1988 ) City of Angels by Cy Coleman and David Zippel ( 1990 ) The Will Rogers Follies by Cy Coleman, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green ( 1991 ) Falsettos by William Finn ( 1992 ) Kiss of the Spider Woman by John Kander and Fred Ebb / The Who 's Tommy by Pete Townshend ( 1993 ) Passion by Stephen Sondheim ( 1994 ) Sunset Boulevard by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, and Christopher Hampton ( 1995 ) Rent by Jonathan Larson ( 1996 ) Titanic by Maury Yeston ( 1997 ) Ragtime by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens ( 1998 ) Parade by Jason Robert Brown ( 1999 ) Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice ( 2000 ) 2001 - present The Producers by Mel Brooks ( 2001 ) Urinetown by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis ( 2002 ) Hairspray by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ( 2003 ) Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx ( 2004 ) The Light in the Piazza by Adam Guettel ( 2005 ) The Drowsy Chaperone by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison ( 2006 ) Spring Awakening by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater ( 2007 ) In the Heights by Lin - Manuel Miranda ( 2008 ) Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey ( 2009 ) Memphis by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro ( 2010 ) The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone ( 2011 ) Newsies by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman ( 2012 ) Kinky Boots by Cyndi Lauper ( 2013 ) The Bridges of Madison County by Jason Robert Brown ( 2014 ) Fun Home by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron ( 2015 ) Hamilton by Lin - Manuel Miranda ( 2016 ) Dear Evan Hansen by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ( 2017 ) The Band 's Visit by David Yazbek ( 2018 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dear_Evan_Hansen&oldid=854422984 '' Categories : 2015 musicals Off - Broadway musicals Original musicals Broadway musicals Songs written by Justin Paul ( songwriter ) Songs written by Benj Pasek Mental illness in fiction Works about depression Suicide in fiction Hidden categories : Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention from July 2018 All Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention Use mdy dates from May 2018 Pages with timeline metadata Talk View source Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Italiano Polski Português Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 11 August 2018, at 07 : 09 ( UTC ). 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Question: what is the setting of dear evan hansen
Answer: a high school