Breaking The Fourth And Fifth Wall
SohoNYC Magazine|Issue 61

How Dear Evan Hansen Has Gone Beyond the Stage to Impact Teen Suicide, Bullying, Mental Illness and Social Media.

Iris Wiener
Breaking The Fourth And Fifth Wall

Dear Evan Hansen began as a germ of an idea about the yearning for a connection with others; co-lyricist and writer Benj Pasek was considering the embellished ties his teenaged peers had to a suspected victim of suicide. Pasek went on to explore the idea of connecting with a tragedy further alongside writing partner, Westport’s Justin Paul, during their college years, and before long the pieces of the story began to come together. Skip ahead to more than a decade later, and the Tony Award-winning musical is transcending the stage as it breaks a proverbial fifth wall. After all, Dear Evan Hansen doesn’t end when the curtain drops, nor does the show simply reach beyond the stage to its audience; an integral aspect of this production has always been its outreach, which producer Stacey Mindich admits has far exceeded the DEH team’s expectations.

Laying the Foundation

Ben Platt plays the title character in the show about an isolated, lonely teenager who unintentionally becomes a social media sensation and a representation of the compassion that is lacking in most high school students. DEH centers on themes of teen suicide, bullying, mental illness and social media, amongst others, which led Mindich to consider how the show needed to offer supportive outlets for people who were experiencing similar problems. “From very early on, I didn’t feel that it was right to put on a performance of this show without some resource in the program that said, ‘Here’s where you can call to talk about it some more,’” she recalls.

This story is from the Issue 61 edition of SohoNYC Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 61 edition of SohoNYC Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SOHONYC MAGAZINEView All
SohoNYC Magazine

The Heirs

Eleanor belonged to that class of New Yorker whose bloodlines were traced in the manner of racehorses: she was Phipps (sire) out of Deering (dam), by Livingston (sire’s dam) and Porter (dam’s dam).

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 61
SohoNYC Magazine

We Can End America's Addiction Crisis... But Only Together

I had a horrible feeling that late October Friday in 2012.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 61
SohoNYC Magazine

Scott Swimming Pools

Scott Swimming Pools, Inc. is a luxury design-build swimming pool company celebrating its 80th year in business this year.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 61
Rye's Megyn Kelly, in the Spotlight
SohoNYC Magazine

Rye's Megyn Kelly, in the Spotlight

SUDDENLY, Megyn Kelly is everywhere. Her tell-all memoir, “Settle for More,” from Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, came out in November and immediately hit the best seller list.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 59
SohoNYC Magazine

Truth Or Consequence

History In The Digital Age.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 60
SohoNYC Magazine

Our Little Racket

Our Little Racket.

time-read
10 mins  |
Issue 60
SohoNYC Magazine

Test of the Champion: The Story of the Belmont Dynasty

Test of the Champion: The Story of the Belmont Dynasty.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 60
SohoNYC Magazine

Statue Of Limitations

Statue Of Limitations.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 60
SohoNYC Magazine

Hamptons International Film Festival’s Silver Anniversary

Hamptons International Film Festival's Silver Anniversary.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 60
SohoNYC Magazine

A Medal Of Honor For Sargent William Shemin…a Century Long Odyssey

A Medal Of Honor For Sargent William Shemin…a Century Long Odyssey.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 60