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the real reasons why DEAR EVAN HANSEN is closing | West End Musical closing explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ส.ค. 2024
- OHMYGOD HEY!
It was recently announced that the West End production of hit Broadway musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN would end its run at the Noel Coward Theatre in London on 22nd October 2022.
The show, which stars Sam Tutty and was recently adapted into a film featuring its original Tony Award winning star Ben Platt, was popular among UK theatre fans.
In today's brand new video I'm going to be explaining various different reasons behind this show's closure, including a possible replacement at the Noel Coward Theatre...
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They just announced yesterday that it's also closing on Broadway. I feel like the reasons are fairly similar, especially the failure of the movie. I feel like that was a pretty pivotal reason.
Agree. Weird in a way that Ben Platt was instrumental in both the initial success, and I guess (because of the film) the ultimate death of the show too !!
The thing is, I only found out about the show because I saw the film.. And I loved it. That pushed me to go see it in London & I loved it even more. I wouldn't have thought about seeing it otherwise.
@@RJMCTV I would have been happy for Ben if the movie happened a long time ago and COVID never happened
I’m glad I skipped the movie
Not only the movie's failure, but a mass amount of people becoming aware of just how problematic the very premise of this musical is.
I've seen comment of people saying that they disliked the play when it first emerged because of said problematic elements, but they got silenced by the fanbase.
idk why but i love these kinds of videos and I binge-watch them like a podcast while I'm working to learn more about how the world of theatre works
same here!!
Sam Tutty's performance as Evan and the whole show is truly special. I absolutely love the show and was so sad to hear it'll be closing. It's such a difficult time for theatre right now but I am SO glad that the procedures seem to be ending this show in the best possible manner (unlike ALW and his team at Cinderella). I'd love for the West End cast to do a cast album before the run is over but that's very unlikely!
Releasing the film version while the show was still touring (albeit, on pause) was a terrible decision. Especially during a pandemic when people are strapped for cash as a result... people would rather pay movie prices (non theater people) than pay 4x as much to go see the live show. To a non theater person its seeing the same thing for less money and I think that really hurt ticket sales for the West End as well as Broadway. Add in your other point, that the film was not well received... so if people watch it and didn't enjoy it, they are not likely to go spend money to see the live show even if they have the funds to do so. Even though imo the live show is much much better than the film. They really should have waited a few more years to produce a movie, and they should have cast someone younger... Andrew Barth Feldman or even Sam Tutty would have been a better choice a few years down the road.
I’m glad I skipped the movie. By the time it came out, it had been nearly three years since I saw the U.S. tour
I truly think there should be a West End Recording ..It's a shame because there are many people especially young people who can afford or get to London to see this important musical and hear and see It's message. At least with a cd of this wonderful cast they can always hear and experience "Dear Evan Hansen"
I’ve said this especially since I saw it in the west end, Sam tutty and the rest of the cast are absolutely fantastic and I would love to be able to relive it by listening to a recorded album from the cast
I would have loved that. I was lucky enough to be able to see the show twice but I still think that the West end cast is one of the best DEH casts there is. Would love a well-produced version of Lucy singing Requiem and especially Anybody have a map with Rebecca McKinnis! Like I adore Ben Platt and the broadway recording but it would be nice to switch it up a bit.
I think you’re absolutely right. This show appeals more to the younger masses without the nostalgia appeal that shows like Heathers have for people like me. As a woman in her 30s, I find the EH character cringeworthy but I love the music. So given the choice, I’d rather listen to the soundtrack as a concept album rather than see the show!
I’m 29 and I was able to enjoy Dear Evan Hansen. And yet, it would have been more meaningful to me if it existed when I went to high school.
SAME!! I liked the music, but I really disliked the show. I couldn't put my finger on it until the movie came out. It's the plot; it's just bad and poor representation for mental health.
@@w.k.astrolabe280 I’m a bigger fan of the music than the story too
I am a man older than you and loved Evan. I am not sure how many of us exist but there are a few.
I'd say it's more based on relatability than age. The soundtrack brings a lot of people to DEH but the musical as a whole only really works if you really *get* the characters and what they struggle with.
the movie just poisoned the well for general audiences, the following months "dumping on the DEH movie" became a sub-genre of video easay 😬😬😬
I just want to say that I laughed so hard at the bit about using his Olivier Award as a battering ram bit that I had to pause the video. Hilarious.
Personally, I question how much longer it lasts on Broadway. Six and Music Man are the current money darlings. A Strange Loop is about to win the Tony. The concept for Dear Evan Hansen just isn't as strong in a post people becoming a little more woke (hate using that word but meh) world as it might have been before. I will do grand in regional theatres and high schools and colleges in the US at least for another few years once those rights become available.
The movie really put a bad taste in other people's minds. It should have been Come From Away that won the Tony but Ben's father played the producer game rather well.
honestly broadway is still profiting off of ben platt’s performance and success. the current cast (and previous non obc) are amazing and deserve their own recognition but it’s definitely still benefiting off of how amazing ben was
(edit: oof lol)
I think DEH will close on Broadway during the fall or last thru the holiday season and close early next year. I think it’s losing a lot of momentum, I was in NYC this weekend and there were ads all over the place advertising cheap tickets. It’s just not selling like it used to. I feel like it *should* close in the fall, but I can see them trying to squeeze through the holiday season.
Well I guess it will be this fall.
@@anthonyL1995 Sadly you are correct as of an hour ago DEH will be closing on Broadway on September 18th.
I've been binging this channel all week and it's so much fun! Thanks for helping me get through a difficult family visit.
Oh my goodness I’m embarrassed at how hard I laughed at “Breaking through a window” 🤣🤣
Great work as always!
I’m very interested to see what Sam tutty ends up doing cause he is absolutely phenomenal, also if it does tour I’d be interested in seeing the current alternate Marcus Harman I’ve only heard good things about him
Another vote for Marcus Harman - he could easily carry a touring show. He was fantastic last week.
We saw Marcus Harman yesterday and he was amazing!
Marcus Harman is incredible, truly incredible
They just announced today that the Broadway show is also closing on September 18
Dear Evan Hansen was the first ever theatre show that I’d ever heard of, and the reason that I’m going through a theatre kid phase at the moment. Obviously I knew about Dear Evan Hansen a few years ago. But it was my absolute favourite musical. It just has that feel that no other show can replicate. The sad thing is that I live in Australia, and I never had the chance to see the show live. I hope one day it has a well deserved revival.
I think it will be replaced by Jagged Little Pill. It has a similar vibe to DEH, a similar structure, and would better be suited to a smaller venue like this theatre, rather than a 'big barn'. Its also already been announced to be coming to UK later this year.
I would love that!
Transphobia is big in the UK right now, so that should work.
You Will Be Found is a song from Dear Evan Hansen that has stuck with me since pre pandemic. I had never seen the musical on stage so was excited when the movie was released in theaters last fall. While I enjoyed the film overall I agree that Ben Platt was too old to play Evan. Another great video MickeyJo.
You Will Be Found was my favorite part of the live performance. I lost my breath when all the cast started singing and then Larry finally broke. He actually collapsed on stage and when his wife came he hugged her around her legs.
Gaten proved to be a great singer because he was belting it out with the cast in this song. I was just 4 rows from the stage so it was very powerful.
My 13 year old son cried during Waving Through a Window because it is his favorite and it was awesome. It was my second favorite.
Ive just returned from London. I was given tickets for my birthday. I enjoyed it so much I returned to see it again. Sam Tutty's performance was magnificent. If I could see it again I would. The way he was able to transition his emotions mage the show. I thought the musical spoke to all ages. It canvassed a lot of issues relevant to parents and adolescents. The score was superb.
I’m 29 and I was able to enjoy it as a mid 20’s before the Pandemic hit
The Toronto (ON, Canada) production closed unexpectedly early pre-pandemic. Once the subscriber base was exhausted, sales died. The marketing was driven from NYC and didn’t appeal to the right age group - also too expensive for that group.
Honestly, the Toronto cast also just wasn't great. I was extremely disappointed with the vocals when I saw it, and heard the same from many people I know who saw it.
As a side note, Sam Tutty was on banners in LA for DEH playing in one of their theatres.
I've heard some rumours of Beetlejuice coming to London next year. I'd love that to happen but whether it does will remain a mystery.
Im hoping for a London transfer. Beetlejuice is currently struggling to sell tickets on Broadway
don't think that stage/wings are big enough for the set - I see Beetlejuice in the palladium or dominion - ignoring stages that are also big but have open ended productions eg Dury Lane
This sucks
I just saw it this year and absolutely adored it, the new cast is incredible
This breaks my heart big time seeing how other, honestly not as good, shows are still going and going for years without end 🙄
Yes, I think this is a case where an unpopular movie version really hurt an existing stage musical (which is one reason why in ye olden days of the 20th century they almost never released movie versions of Broadway musicals while the musical was still running on Broadway.) The future of the Broadway DEH isn't looking very bright either. Though they haven't announced a closing yet, the weekly post-pandemic grosses indicate that the New York production is now barely breaking even, if that. They can't go on much longer with those grosses. It's sad--and strange--to see a musical that was once such a big hit tank so suddenly on both sides of the Atlantic.
As of an hour ago DEH will be closing on Broadway on September 18th.
Its closing on broadway, before it closes in London, just announced. September 18th DEH on broadway will close.
I went and saw this show yesterday! So glad I got to see it before it closes, it was so good. Cried 6 times😭
I went this May and was in a half empty audience. Already felt it coming and booked tickets to October even before the closing announcement. Wish I wasn't right!!
I've heard R&H's Cinderella was coming over which would make ALW's Cinderella closing early make a bit more sense. It would be weird having 2 different productions of Cinderella on at the West End at the same time.
R&H Cinderella is having it’s European premiere this Nov at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.
I’m good with just Rogers and Hammerstein
I hear of several closings recently, what is the actual status on the total audiences number in the West End? is it coming back to pre-pandemic level?
as a EU citizen I used to visit London's West End 2-4 times a year pre-pandemic. Since Brexit I cannot visit UK with a simple ID and need a passport, many EU families will think twice about buying a passport, just to visit London and may look for other destinations. Could loosing the EU visitors damage the profits in the West End?
Saw it for the first time last week with Ellis Kirk as Evan and he was amazing, such a powerful performance. Would love to see it touring with him as Evan ❤️
Always come here for the latest theatre news. Thanks Mickey Joe!
Oh MJ!!!! I’ve been following you for about ten days now and I’ve absolutely gone back into your catalogue. Im doing a thesis right now LMM being inextricably tied with Hamilton not for playing A. Ham but democratising the fandom and especially de-commoditised it in his own “I’m a fanboy and I’m having the time of my life making sure people see this kick ass musical I wrote and also seeing the culture of the First Nations peoples of the country I decide to take it to because I may not tread the boards but my hands are still here and I’m with you!” It’s slightly more complex and much better worded then that but my actual point is that I had been holding back to make some like really well written relevant comment about one of your amazing and informative videos (which this Aussie girl is very thankful for! You make amazing points based off of more then gossip! And you make my laugh out loud which does admittedly annoy my guide dog if she’s sleeping on my stomach but she’ll get over it! She loves you too! Her name is Georgie and I play the Hamilton soundtrack so much that even in the front row when I won the lottery she slept through the entire show!) then you had to go and over excite both my theatre geek and my marvel geek with that doctor strange comment AND give me the image of a young pasty kid in a fake cast bashing at a theatre window with an Olivier award…. I can’t catch my breath! I have covid! You should come with a hilariosity meter! Really, your channel is absolutely fab!
Morning! Absolutely think you're so right about it not giving off the right 'vibe' after the pandemic! We saw 2 shows in 1 day last November; Come From Away (matinee) and Dear Evan Hanson (evening).... and boy do I wish I'd seen them the other way around! I personally feel that it's always good to leave a theatre on a high? Although DEH was good, and yes, Sam Tutty is fabulous, I came away thinking I'd not had a good evening at all 😕. I'm glad I've seen it, but it's not one I want to see again due to how I felt afterwards.
I wouldn’t want to see again either. It was good but I didn’t expect more or less
I saw DEH on U.S. tour three years ago. With Evans social anxiety seeming relatable having autism myself, having suicide thoughts in high school (mostly unintentional) and Pasek and Paul riding the success of the Greatest Showman, I just knew I had to see it. Looking back, I appreciated it was an emotionally intimate and bittersweet show. But I was more a fan of the music more so than the story. The themes seemed partially misguided. When I saw the slime tutorial with Ben Platt during the lockdown, I started second opinions. I skipped the movie fearing the Pandemic had made me feel different towards DEH itself. I won’t rush to buy tickets again.
Hi Mickey Jo. Great review of the situation with "Dear Evan Hansen". One of the best reviews I have seen you do. No theatrics, Your looking good, and you made so much sense. I totally respect your knowledge on such things. I thought the film version was awful and boring, and for me, there was only one memorable song. I would therefore not pay theater prices based on the movie which I have seen. Thank you.
It’s such a shame that the negative press of the film had the effect that it did on the west end, to me this was probably the most significant contributing factor as the stage production became synonymous with the movie adaptation by outside audiences. If the show were to go on tour with a cast change, Marcus Harman would be the only choice, I saw him on Thursday filling in for Sam and honestly his performance was probably my favourite so far
I'm guessing after the release of the movie, the popularity went WAY down as well.
"breaking through a window, whoa whoa whoa whoa" is my new favourite meme
sam tutty is just absolutely incredible so even though his time at evan hansen is coming to an end, i cant to see what else he is going to do next!
So, Jagged Little Pill to the Noel Coward? And Beetlejuice to the Dominion?
this would be everything
I finally saw it in January and was so looking forward to it. the score and the cast were fantastic, but the script went way off the rails at the end. I wanted EH to get his just desserts for the terrible lies he told, but it just kind of fizzled out. The ending was a complete meh and left a bad taste in my mouth
What would have been appropriate "just desserts" for Evan, in your opinion? If you could write the end of the show yourself, what would you write?
@@oliverbrownlow5615 like an actual confrontation where he was made to feel guilt for what he did. It kinda ended like we don’t want to forgive you but we kind of will anyway. I was expecting a big emotional pay off but it just petered out sadly
@@funkyrich4500 A confrontation with the Murphys, do you mean? Or do you think a wider group should be included?. And the "just dessert" for Evan is being made to feel guilty? Personally, I always thought there was a "missing scene" at the end of DEH. It's pre-empted by the way "Words Fail" happens. Evan confesses to the Murphys that he wasn't friends with Connor. They can't believe it at first, but when he insists, they all quickly realize that it's true and exit the stage in shock and disgust, leaving him in darkness to finish his song. In my opinion, this is not what would happen in real life. Any family or any person who had been deceived in this way would not simply walk away. They would want to know why he had done it, and how their own perception of reality had become so distorted. They had all invested so much in Evan that they probably would need to question him extensively before they fully grasped the situation. Of course, there's a need for dramatic compression, but omitting any scene of this kind is like ending *Oedipus Rex* without having the scene where Oedipus learns that he killed his father and slept with his mother. It leaves a key audience expectation unsatisfied. That said, I think there's a lot of reason to think that Evan feels horribly guilty about what he has done. He doesn't feel this in isolation, however. He is also devastated by the loss of his relationship with the Murphys and everything they represent to him (intact, supportive family, dream girl, and even ideal imaginary friend), and locates his fault not in a personal moral failing, but in what he sees as the fact of his total inadequacy as a human being. But assuming that you feel either that he doesn't feel guilty or that he doesn't do or say enough to show his consciousness of guilt, what would you want him to do or say to show that he does in fact feel guilty?
I only wish Evan accepting himself had felt more earned
Personally, I’ve never been very attached to DEH despite being the target audience. When I saw the show, it exasperated the long-standing mental health problems that I’ve gone through since the show hit me too close to home in a way that wasn’t comfortable or wanted by me. In a way it was relatable but not in a way that was comforting for me. Just seeing the trailer for the film before In the Heights caused all those emotions to come back. Needless to say, I’ve never really gotten the hype, but it also is a staple. It’s too bad that the film likely sabotaged fans of the show from being able to see it more or for the first time in the future.
I saw the show three years ago on its U.S. tour. Despite being 29 currently, I liked the show and can relate to Evan having anxiety myself. The only thing different between Evan and me was I have a mom and dad under the same roof and extended loved ones mainly from my mom and dads circle of friends who care if I disappear tomorrow. I skipped the movie fearing it wouldn’t have the same pre Pandemic impact the stage version had on me. Looking back, I was a fan of the music more than the story. I won’t pay big money to see it in person again.
I agree with your opinion on the portrayal of mental health. My initial reaction was "oh this is brave and cool to tackle such a difficult topic" but over time I started to find something off about it. It's a surface level depiction of mental health masquerading as "deep and insightful" which makes it somewhat relatable but ultimately misleading.
@@pegasus_136 From my point of view, partially misleading
Mickey Jo, I love your channel!!! All of my theatre questions are answered through you! Thank you!!!🙌🏻👩🏻🦱
I really don’t enjoy the “main character perpetrates a scam and gets caught out” trope. For that reason I’m not that bothered about seeing it. Which is a shame because it has some banging tunes.
this is how i've always felt about it. i like listening to some of the songs but that part of the narrative makes me deeply uncomfortable.
I think the idea of the show is that you're meant to feel uncomfortable with the narrative. You're meant to be on edge wondering how long it's going to keep going and why he doesn't stop it. It's a cracking show, it honestly blew me away.
I was more a fan of the music more so than the story. And the themes are partially misguided
I hope some of the songs end up like "I need a hero". Basically being in another popular movie and eventually being associated with that instead of the original.
@@DrawciaGleam02 Don’t you mean Holding Out For A Hero. I discovered it thanks to Shrek 2
I have heard of 2 shows that might be coming to the west end 1.is Beetlejuice and 2.is Mrs Doubtfire honestly if it was either of these I would be so happy bc I rlly want to watch both these musicals
Today, it was announced that the Broadway production will close this fall
DEH was "Meh" once l saw all the music in context with the script. That said, l am always sad to see hard working Arts workers (in all areas) lose work.
i think the broadway production might be going the same way tbh. it seems rly coincidental that theyre bringing in one of the stars of stranger things just as the new series comes out while the west end production closes. im not a huge fan of stunt casting but id like to see how this goes for ticket sales. what do you think?
Jared seems a natural stunt casting role
I think it's a smart move, as Gatan Matarazzo has legit theatre experience in his background.
@@oliverbrownlow5615 ye im glad ig that were not going to get another cameron dallas situation
i suddenly feel very powerful
Gaten Matarazzo is a theater actor. It is a "stunt casting".
I saw a touring production of Dear Even Hanson in the U S and it was amazing!
Me too
End of May: West End announces DEH closing.
Early June: Broadway announces DEH closing.
Soooo anyone else notice this interesting little info? End of May or early June.. Coincidence or intentional?
This picture perfect afternoon we shared
@@manuelorozco7760 Drive the winding country road. Grab a scoop at A La Mode and then we're there.
@@josephensworth7044 I think it’s more a coincidence than intentional
Would love to hear your thoughts on lion king and other shows with puppetry!
Hi MickeyJo, I apologise for this being off topic, but I was wondering your views on what I call "We will Bat you". Bat out of Hell seems to have an unhealthy obsession with We will rock you. Not only are there huge similarities in the substance (Theatrical rock jukebox musical), and plot (dystopian futuristic wasteland, two young heroes etc), but in the real world in choice of theatres too. Being a huge production, the Dominion was a fairly obvious choice for both Wwry and then Bat followed it, but now, and more strangely, Bat follows WWRY at Le theatre des arts at Paris Las Vegas. Now Wwry had a lousy run at Paris LV, due to many reasons, mostly that they chopped it to 90 minutes and achieved the almost impossible of Wwry making even less sense than it did before. Do you think BOOH has a chance??
Jim Steinman always intended Bat out of Hell to be a post apocalyptic Peter Pan when he wrote it for meatloaf in the 70s
@@ponygrrrl Yeah, I get that, although most of it came from Neverland before he met Meat. I'm not suggesting any plagiarism from Ben Elton either, just that they have coincidental similarities.
I'm starting to think that the length of the Broadway run was the aberration. Dear Evan Hansen was expected to run quite a while in Toronto in the Before Times (they moved Come From Away to make room for it!) and then it didn't even make it to the end of the first extension. Obviously Toronto is a very differnet market where runs beyond a tour stop are unusual but it was a similar situation with a lot of hype and expectations and then rubbish tick t sales
Can anyone more tuned in give me a hint as to what is possibly coming to the Noel Coward theatre? I’m hoping Mean Girls or Beetlejuice 🤞🏻
Apparently I heard rumours Beetlejuice is coming to west end in spring 2023 and will play in dominion theatre.
I was thinking and hearing about either Beetlejuice or Mean Girls
unless I misinterpreted it I think he did give you a hint at 10:30 :)
But what’s the hint?
@@aoife7025 He says "you oughta know" which sounds a lot like something Alanis would say!
Love DEH, I've seen it on Broadway and the West End just this Easter. Sam Tutty is so good and deserves the very best!
The theatre felt very full when I saw it 3 times in April, but i got the sense there were a few tkts tourists around, like the older couple behind me with an American accent who were loudly asking each other questions about what the text on the projections said because they couldn't read it and then left at interval. But everyone else seemed to enjoy it a lot. I think I blame mainly the pandemic vibes.
DEH is not something I would see a second time due to fears of not having the same Pre Pandemic impact on me.
It was always an over rated show...AND...it never should have won the Tony for best score over " The Great Comet". That was insane
Beyond insane.
Cry to your mom
@@rae0993 Why? I am just stating logic.
Everytime I remember this fact I get annoyed all over again as if it just happened 😂
Interesting opinion. However, one thing that makes a successful musical is having memorable music. Nobody walks around singing anything from "The Great Comet". I listened to the soundtrack twice and couldn't even name a song on it for you now. Not a clue. So, the reason (I believe) DEH won the Tony for best score is exactly that...it had memorable tunes. The show clung onto many people's lives (of all ages) because of how much it made them feel like they were not forgotten, and could be heard. Also, cannot forget that TGC being a Russian story. My 2 cents.
I think Ben Platt's ego got in the way of his EGOT. He should have stepped down, there were amazing other performers who could have carried it. They cut too many songs that are essential to the plot, if they were going to deviate, the book plot would have served the film better. It should have been a stage recording like Hamilton. I love Ben but this did check his ego.
I would have been happy for him if the movie had happened a long time ago. I’m always almost open to seeing OBC members reprise their role. Like Harvey Fierstein as Edna in Hairspray
The movie’s effect was much more insidious than I expected… (at least that’s my opinion as to the lowering popularity of the show w younger audience cause oooooof the movie was memed to death on tiktok)
I really wanted to see Dear Evan Hansen. Last time I was in London it was when lots of shows had reopened but DEH hadn't quite yet, but I was sure it would stay around long enough for me to go another time, but now I won't get back to London before it closes. So I'm disappointed, but to be honest seeing the film did take out some of my eagerness to see it, because it let me put (most of) the songs I loved into the context of the story, and the film wasn't amazing enough for me to want more
The film missed out some great films mind! And the film was only a smidge of what it is live
i am completely indifferent DEH. and I’m guessing a lot of people are too. many also didn’t know about the show at all until the film and well: not all publicity is good publicity obviously
i'm absolutely not a fan of DEH, but as someone who's been through a similar situation (lying to my mother and then us coming back together in the end) So Big So Small makes me cry every fuckin time
Do you think the closure date may be sooner than October 22nd? I recall for Toronto they were selling tix until Sept 29, 2019 but had to sadly announce its closing date to be July 21, 2019.
I only saw the show once, and sadly Sam wasn't performing on the day I went. But I didn't know what the musical was about, and after watching it, felt it hit a little too deep with me 😅 so sadly didn't go to see it again...
An old drama teacher I knew would talk about the 'clarnico mint cream' brigade. i.e. UK bus trippers exited about going to the glamourous WEST END. It's why RENT never lit up the UK for example ( Aids, drugs, homelessness, etc) but big name recognition positive shows pull them in. Had Cinderella been a straight take on the fairy tale, and not Wokey, it might have been a smash.
You say Waitress is touring I was looking forward to seeing it in Torquay later this month, but I'm been in formed that its been cancelled from coming to Torquay. Do you have any insight why.
Waitress was good
I really enjoyed the film and I haven't seen the show yet. But now I really want to see the show before it closes!
The film lead me to the show, didn't know about it beforehand. It's worth going to see it before it closes if you can.
@@Guineaface1987 I plan to!
I enjoyed the show but I wasn’t hyped for the movie
Looks like you got your wish for a play to go into the Noel Coward - Best of Enemies has been announced as opening in Nov.
Great video! But the We Will Rock You playbill I can’t with that show ahah
“You oughta know” -> jagged little pill?
I have a strong feeling its another musical that's heading to the Noel Coward and from all the news around it I think I know which show it will be too - would be nice to see more plays at the Coward
Which are you thinking? :)
Tell us which showwww cmon if it's just something u think and it's not some sort of confidential official news it doesn't matter! I reckon mean girls but what do you think??
I blame Platt's wig for this. Sorry, his real hair, I meant. I think.
I have a feeling that this has a lot to do with tickets being very difficult to shift for a lot of shows.
Last week, the Old Vic reduced all tickets for their current show Jitney to their entire mailing list for 10 and 15 pounds. That has to be a big potential loss for them. There seem to be a small bunch of shows that are doing well while a lot of others are having to scratch around for an audience at any price.
Sadly you are correct as of an hour ago DEH will be closing on Broadway on September 18th.
Evans hair was one of few reasons why I skipped the movie
I think it's such a shame. I've not had a chance to see it yet but do want too. Heard the recording and the story, and it really struck an accord with me. It seems bit ironic how a show about someone feeling on the outside and unappreciated, is itself been felt in the outside of things. I think it will be better than a lot of the pop/jukebox musicals that seem to dominate atm.
I was more a fan of the music than the story
@@manuelorozco7760 well I'm going to see it now in July, so hopefully I can enjoy both.
@@DJWhovian I wouldn’t worry too much about it if I were you
But I would be ready to crave for a breather episode afterwards
@@manuelorozco7760 I bet. Do connect a kit to it already
I think that people have woken up to the reality that DEH is no hero, and while the film tried to depict some consequences to his actions, the musical falls flat on that. Despite the uplifting message and the You Will Be Found sequence, what the character did was vile and hurtful.
I wish Evans self acceptance was more well earned
Yep, that's what I saw in comments of videos discussing the film version.
Hopefully, the songs will get a renaissance in other films with better protagonists.
Like how "I need a hero" was revitalized by Shrek 2.
@@DrawciaGleam02 Or Under Pressure in Smallfoot
What american shows are “waiting” to find a theatre in London? I could only think of Hadestown, but I can’t remember more that may want to move to this side of the Atlantic
I would absolutely love for hadestown to come to london. Saw it in nyc with most of the original broadway cast and it was mindblowing… nearly went back to see andre de shields again before he went, but sadly couldnt make it. Other shows that might have a westend transfer could be beetlejuice, and maybe a strange loop, since its proven so successful on broadway. Also a mean girls west end production was announced pre covid, but postponed/paused when covid came. Since then it became rather quiet around it, but i think it might still be happening!
Also they priced the tickets WAY too high for this show. I don't have a lot of sympathy as I wanted to see it last summer post pandemic and was refused tickets at access prices because they had 'sold their quota'.
Totally agree with this. It was always very expensive.
It’s a shame it’s closing but after COVID you can understand why the show didn’t sell as well, I think it will be like heathers as in making a comeback at some point at another theatre and I do think it will stay in London for a short run.
There are parts of DEH that I adore and love. But I’ve never seen an on Broadway show and thought. “Damn that second act needed a bunch of rewrites”.
I was more a fan of the first act too. That’s the same way I feel about Anything Goes
@@manuelorozco7760 That seems to be the case in a lot of Broadway shows for someone. I think it was difficult for the writers to bring this to a conclusion. But the second act had the weaker songs as well with maybe one exception.
@@bobbywise2313 One musical I can think of that has strong musicality in both acts is Hairspray.
@@bobbywise2313 The only Act Two song in DEH that I was crazy about was Only Us
@@manuelorozco7760 I actually like So Big So Small as well. It is pretty emotional. But act 2 was very much weaker than act 1. I have seen this in a lot of shows though. .Sunday in the Park With George, for example, should have ended at act 1.
Plays can have the Noel Coward Theatre if musicals can get the Palace Theatre back :D
Interesting about Evan Hansen touring - it has already toured in the US. In fact , this is how I saw it , in the mid to latter part of 2019. Broadway Across America has become very popular in the US bringing some of the very best Broadway shows to cities across the US. And the casting is superior, definitely A team performers
I saw the tour in 2019 too. That’s the only time I feel like seeing DEH in person
Afterwards, I needed the tours of Hello Dolly & Aladdin and a movie called Smallfoot as breather episodes.
DEH writing isn't too strong tbh. The music is fantastic in a vacuum, but context reaaaaaly hurts. It rings hollow and manipulative and the music can only do so much when the writing doesn't support it
Pretty rare beauty for a Broadway score. I was more a fan of Act One. And the themes feel partially misguided
@@manuelorozco7760 a lot of the themes feel very undercut considering its all a lie. Its hard for me to listen to For Forever, If I Could Tell Her or You Will Be Found with context because its all based on fabrications. Those songs could be beautiful moments in another show,, and they have great instrumentation and are wonderfully composed, but context hurts
@@dragonpaulz_ It’s not too hard for me. Considering I had good first impressions. I listened to Waving Through A Window, You Will Be Found and For Forever before I bought my tickets. Then I listened to the rest of the cast album to prepare for the show.
too bad. it's an amazing show and an amazing movie and an amazing book and an amazing soundtrack. one of the best ever. much better than all the others around it still going on.
The stage version was good enough for me
i blame the hair style decision for DEH movie
Thanks!
There are currently 960 reviews of DEH (the film) on Amazon USA. Adding the 5 and 4 star reviews totals 94%. That many either loved or liked the movie.There are many reasons why the film did not make a lot of money at the box office, but its quality is not one of them. Did it cause the stage productions to close? Probably not. The stage play is a different animal as theater folk will make sure to tell you, bless 'em! Shows ultimately close as audiences dwindle; it's a natural cycle.DEH has been running from the first Ben on for 6 or 7 years. That's one heck of a good run! Long may it live in repertory!!!
I'd certainly visit the theatre again if there were more plays in the West End. I miss a good, involving story.
I'm sad about the closure I really want to see deh but maybe tour also I hope it's a certain musical that includes dark comedy along with a really sweet charecter ark with a title character that you can't say their name aka beetle juice
I think with things like tiktok the discourse surrounding DEH will mean that it won't capture new young audiences like it did in 2016 or whenever it came out. Young theatre nerds are more divided than ever on the show.
A common factor between this and Cinderella is a lack of deals. Neither show tried to tempt me back with a decent offer. Tickets were so expensive I subconsciously sidelined them in my mind and saw other shows
I also found the show fairly dull compared to a lot of stuff on in the West End, and I can’t be the only one. It’s not a show that I was desperate to see again
DEH certainly isn't the best musical I've seen (though, it does have one of the better soundtracks) and while I think it actually has a great premise, I agree that somewhere along the lines it falls flat and doesn't have that *it* factor. However, what it feels like to me is that people who've never really suffered with mental health issues are prone to like it less because they find the whole thing manipulative & don't really understand how 'he can get away with it'. As someone who can relate to Evan in many ways, the way I intrepeted the story seems to be very different to them. While I felt the secondhand embrassment, I also had a stronger understanding of how and why he ended up in the position he did, and I didn't feel like he got away with it either. His whole tragedy is feeling so alone and the story ends with him still alone with no friends, and even lesser of a chance or confidence to make any. I feel like people with mental health issues will relate to that a lot more and therefore like the musical better, but in the grand scheme of things, we're probably a niche audience and there's only so many shows you can sell out. I also always buy tickets on deals cause theatre is just too expensive otherwise these days, and DEH doesn't have many & even on deals the seats where you can actually see something cost more than many other plays, so that probably doesn't help either.
I have mild autism and that’s why I believed Evans story would be something wonderful to see for myself. Even I do feel alone sometimes, I have my mom and dad to lean on under the same roof. I don’t have friends around my age really. But an army of my moms and dads friends who most I consider them to be extended family who care if I disappear tomorrow. And yet, I agree wishing the bittersweet end of DEH could have been earned. I knew the story would end with Evan having not gained friends. But I didn’t think carefully before I talked to my cousin into buying tickets as my early Xmas present. That’s why I was so afraid to face it again if I had watched the movie.
I disagree, I think a lot of people with mental health issues also disliked the show. Truth be told, I did enjoy it the first time I saw it and I did find the mental health portrayal somewhat relatable but after a while I noticed there was something a little off about it. To me it seemed like they were trying to portray a realistic view of mental health with a non realistic plot. This is not to say that the events couldn't have happened but rather the end just didn't feel right. He gets off incredibly lightly and as someone who has had to struggle to balance mental health with accountability and responsibility, I just couldn't enjoy the end
@@pegasus_136 I feel exactly the same way. Except I only saw it in person once. I would like to keep it that way.
@@manuelorozco7760 I have social anxiety and absolutely can relate to Evan. The boy would not order pizza because he would have to possibly talk to the person delivering the pizza.
And he tried to tell the Murphy's that Connor did not write that letter but they would not accept it and Mrs. Murphy was pretty hysterical and then saw Connors name on Evan's cast. At that point Evan could not put words together just as he couldn't speak to the pizza delivery person, give a speech or talk to Zoe.
Then his "family friend" Jared gave him some pretty bad advice with the just nod and smile thing. So when the Murphy's start fighting about weather there was anything good to remember about Connor, Evan blurts out I remember lots of good things.
Here is where it gets interesting. He was pressureed to tell them what he rememberd and of course we get For Forever. But as the song progresses it becomes obvious that Evan is believing his own lie. He so desperately wanted/needed a friend that this fantasey of having a great friend developed. After that and the fact that he mentioned a secret email account, he was in deep.
Another "acquaintance" named Alanna help dig Evan in deeper with her Connor Project and making the fabricated emails (thanks Jared) public.
But Evan was still the kid with severe anxiety who could not speak to people. He did start to think of the Murphy's as family because they treated him as such. It was the Murphy's way of grieving. Larry was in denial until the end of act 1 and Cynthia just found comfort in knowing Connor had a friend and in the emails. Maybe Evan had a chance to tell Larry around the time we get to the Breaking in the Glove scene, which is my least favorite part of the show. But by then it would have devasted the Murphy's and took away what Evan perceived as a functional family. And of course he was really afraid of losing Zoe.
His conversation with Connor (himself) really hit on his dilemma. He wanted to confess so badly but again it was not so simple for him. Finally when the Murphy's are fighting he does confess and at first they still didn't believe him. Of course he had to say it was a project his therapist had him do. Imagine how hard it would be to tell them that it was a letter to yourself because Dr. Sherman instructed him to do that. That would be extremely embarrassing for any 17 year old but for Evan even more so.
All we know at the end is the Murphy's never tell anyone it was all made up. And Jared would have incriminated himself if he said anything. Zoe says that her parents needed it to be true and everyone needed it to be real. It is implied that Evan and Zoe haven't spoken in about a year. We also see the Connor Project was a success and the orchid is reopened.
So the Murphy's letting Evan get away with the story may be one of the issues people have. And I agree that is a bit of a problem in the story. But maybe they realized he did try to tell them but they wouldn't listen. They wanted his story to be true. And maybe there was some sympathy for Evan with his social anxiety. Maybe the felt sad for his mother doing it alone. Working as a CNA and taking night classes for paralegal was not easy but nevertheless showed how hard she was trying. And it was clear that she loved her son more than anything. Finally perhaps the Murphy's figured out that Evan didn't actually "fall" from the tree. After what happened to Connor maybe they figured it out or maybe Evan's mother told them. So much leaves us hanging in act 2.
But like I said I have social anxiety and I have good days and bad days with it. Evan Hansen could be me. I found it extremely believable and know exactly how he was feeling. Anyone who just thinks he is terrible for not telling the Murphy's the truth from the beginning may not know what it's like to not be able to effectively talk to people.
And of course this show absolutely does not portray Evan as a hero but rather a very screwed up kid fighting social anxiety. Anxiety so bad that he attempted suicide. Too me he is neither good or bad but just a very depressed young man who feels totally hopeless. And he feels if he disappeared no one would even notice. I don't think he "got away" with anything. Maybe he was getting better with dealing with his issues but he was definitely not cured and was still suffering.
I saw David breeds as Evan understudying sam and he was the best I have ever seen - he would be amazing to play him on tour
I saw Marcus Harmon at a matinee and he was brilliant!!! Would love for him to tour!
really interesting take and lots of valid points. Saw the show at the start of the run knowing some of the songs and the Tony Buzz and thought Sam was amazing, but some of the themes being a little problematic and can see why some see it as a marmite musical. I viewed it favourably as a nice little show and maybe in the same style and light of Next to Normal (same director, small cast, band on stage) and I think a far better show but I never thought it would make it to the West End. Would likely do well in Menier or other small theatre - at the time I thought 'maybe too niche, too American' to find a broader audience in the UK but I do think theatre audiences would love it here. We shall see - its only been 13 years since it was Broadway!
I think DEH and Next to Normal are equally beautiful. The minimal cast and Michael Grief directing are two of the reasons why I thought DEH would be good to see.
I feel like now after the movie Dear Evan Hansen has musical cooties.
I find it ironic that the Broadway version (which has just recently been announced to close as well) is gonna perform its final show a day after i posted my video essay on the musical a year ago.
Commenting on this late because I only found out DEH was ending when I saw a poster on the Tube. The reasons given seem plausible. I would add the cost of tickets - they were really expensive when it first opened. I know theatre is not cheap, but this show seemed to be really at a premium. I wanted to bring a teenage relative but the cost for both of us really put me off. The seats in that theatre are also really uncomfortable with poor viewing angles and legroom, although I concede that is not why it is closing, I'm sure!
We’re people at London aware of the fact that it won 3 Olivier Awards including Best Score, Best Actor in a musical for Sam Tutty, and Best New Musical?
I’m sure the awards are plastered at the DEH ads at the West End, though its win at the Oliviers was quite bittersweet. The awards were given in a very scaled down Oliviers in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, no spectacle or hype that occured. It’s as if 2020 did not exist.
@@kareninacarado oh yeah
Seen it twice at Broadway and enjoyed it. Since then, the over performing of "You will Be Found" on tv shows, as well as the abysmal movie, has basically ruined it for me.
I didn’t bother seeing the movie fearing DEH wouldn’t have the same pre Pandemic effect on me
As a very old person who only knows and really likes DEH through the song videos and the book they put out, I am surprised at the number of people running the show down with the idea of EH only as a liar who doesn't get his comeuppance. I can only guess that their opinion of the idea of "Sweeny Todd" is even more negative than my own. DEH is touring here in the states a two hour train ride away from me. I wont go because I am still avoiding crowds.
Marcus Harman as Evan on a tour because he’s a phenomenal performer
Ok but can Pippin come back pls
I love your pillows!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hi Jo Micky are you planning on going to see dear Evan Hansen again before it closes
Love your videos
Kinds regards
Charles 🙏🏼😇