‘Dear Evan Hansen’ finds a new home in Manila
Few musicals in recent memory have captured the modern zeitgeist as powerfully as “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Winner of multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show tells the story of Evan Hansen, a socially anxious teenager who becomes entangled in a web of lies after a letter he writes to himself is mistaken for someone else’s final note.
As the lie spirals, Evan finds unexpected connection, belonging and heartbreak, forcing audiences to confront the complexities of loneliness, truth and the digital age.
Now showing at The Theatre at Solaire, the musical is brought to Manila audiences by GMG Productions for a limited engagement. Tickets are available through TicketWorld and GMG Productions’ official channels, offering Filipino theatergoers the rare chance to witness one of Broadway’s most acclaimed works live.
John Manning, general manager of Ambassador Theater Group Productions for “Dear Evan Hansen,” has overseen the musical’s international tours, including a year-long run across the United Kingdom.
“We played 32 different venues across the UK,” he recalled. “From Aberdeen in Scotland down to Truro on the south coast, and of course, the big cities like Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.”
While British audiences were accustomed to classics like “Les Misérables,” “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Dear Evan Hansen” offered something refreshingly different. “I don’t think they expected to see such a modern story on stage,” Manning explained. “This show deals directly with social media, mental health and relationships. For many, it felt immediate and authentic in a way they hadn’t seen before.”
The Manila production has been no different. Manning said of the Filipino audience’s response: “Seeing the first performance last night was incredible. There were tears during You Will Be Found, but also so much laughter. People often forget how funny the show actually is. It’s witty, sharp and cleverly written. It has light and shade, which makes the emotional moments even more powerful.”
One of the unique aspects of “Dear Evan Hansen” is its integration of technology into storytelling. Unlike traditional musicals, it depicts social media feeds, online conversations and the pressures of digital connection. Manning pointed out that this makes the show stand apart as “the first musical to really deal with social media and its effects.”
Having worked on the West End production that began before the pandemic, Manning has witnessed how the material has evolved. “The Broadway production is nearly 10 years old now. Back then, the show featured early Facebook feeds. But today, we’ve updated the visuals with Instagram, TikTok and video content, so it feels current to a 2025 audience.”
While the script hasn’t been rewritten to include specific platform references, the creative team has adapted the staging and projections to reflect the world young people live in now. “It’s amazing to be able to bring the show bang up to date,” he said.
Meanwhile, the relevance of “Dear Evan Hansen” lies in its exploration of both the promise and perils of social media. Manning reflects on its impact on mental health: “There’s enormous pressure on teenagers today to live up to the lifestyles they see online — whether it’s influencers traveling the world or peers posting curated versions of themselves. Add to that the darker side of online bullying, and it becomes overwhelming.”
He cited the heartbreaking real-life cases in the UK of young people who have taken their lives after being targeted online. “It’s devastating,” he admitted. “While the internet connects us with like-minded people, it also opens the door to negativity we’re only beginning to understand as a society.”
This delicate balance of connection versus isolation is at the heart of “Dear Evan Hansen.” It mirrors the lived experiences of today’s youth while also resonating with parents and older generations who are navigating the same landscape from different perspectives.
When asked what advice he would give to young people in this digital age, Manning didn’t hesitate: “There is nothing as powerful and important as in-person connection.”
He recalled the isolation of the pandemic, “I was living alone, and I really missed seeing family and friends. A coffee, a conversation — those things can’t be replicated on a computer screen.”
This truth, he believes, is what keeps theater vital. “There’s something unique about the communion between actors on stage and an audience in the room. That shared experience, that bond, is something no online interaction can replace. And I think that’s why theater has bounced back so strongly. People are hungry to connect again.”
Looking ahead, Manning is optimistic about the future of “Dear Evan Hansen.”
For Manila audiences, the arrival of “Dear Evan Hansen” is more than just a theatrical event — it’s an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and possibilities of living in a hyperconnected world. Experience it live at The Theatre at Solaire until Oct. 5. Tickets to the musical produced by GMG Productions are available now via Ticketworld.
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