Why every teen should see 'Dear Evan Hansen'

Evan Hansen appeared on stage and he broke my heart and then put it back together.

Posted 2:12 p.m. Mar 5, 2019 — Updated 2:12 p.m. Mar 5, 2019

Kathy Hanrahan, Out

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DURHAM, N.C. — It is rare that a production touches my soul and resonates so deeply within me. I've seen a lot of musicals and I tend to prefer the light-hearted ones - "Book of Mormon" and "Something Rotten" are two of my favorites.

Then, I saw "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway. It was during a media trip to New York City with Durham Performing Arts Center. I was prepared to like it but not love it. We were seeing "Anastasia" the following day and I was convinced that show would be my favorite of the weekend. I mean the costumes alone were going to be fantastic!

Then, Evan Hansen appeared on stage and he broke my heart and then put it back together.

Dear Evan Hansen plays DPAC next week. Some tickets are still available.

The story focuses on Evan Hansen, a high school student who is suffering from mental illness. He has a broken arm that he says he got falling out of a tree. He doesn't really have any friends and just feels invisible. He has an interaction with troubled bully Connor Murphy that leads to a lie - one that changes Evan's life forever.

The show utilizes social media with screens behind the stage showcasing Twitter, Facebook and YouTube clips. You are watching the characters interact and share their experiences on stage.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Goes From Stage to Page

Soon it is clear that everyone is going through something. Everyone feels invisible sometime. It really gives a look into what it is like being a young person in this social media age.

This show breaks down the stigma of mental illness. It tackles so much - bullying, teen suicide, insecurity - in such a short period of time and it does it in such a great way.

You will laugh and cry and then repeat. I was able to keep my emotions in check until Evan's mom sang " So Big/So Small" toward the end of the show. As a mother, I guess I could relate and that was the point the floodgates opened.

This is a show that stays with you and makes you a little more aware of what others are dealing with.

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