The original cast recording for “Dear Evan Hansen” is a beautiful and stirring album. Its pop song-inflected musical numbers are an excellent combination of entertaining and tearjerking. The brilliant performances and lyrics ensure this show will be your new musical obsession.
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a Broadway show about a high school student with social anxiety. Evan Hansen struggles daily to fit in and to impress his crush, Zoe Murphy. When Zoe’s brother, Connor, commits suicide, people mistakenly think he was a friend of Evan’s. This mix-up gives Evan the chance to get everything he ever wanted, but at a price.
“Dear Evan Hansen” is the first original Broadway musical from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, arguably the most exciting musical theater duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein. Pasek and Paul created the music and lyrics for the Tony-nominated musical version of “A Christmas Story.” They also wrote the lyrics for the acclaimed songs of “La La Land” and could win an Oscar for one of them Feb. 26.
Their songs for “Dear Evan Hansen” combine the best qualities of musical theater and pop songs. The tracks have all the passion of a Broadway standard, with the economy and storytelling skill of a popular tune. This makes their musical numbers feel both timeless and contemporary.
This album is an emotional rollercoaster. A hilariously jaunty song like “Sincerely, Me” is immediately followed by the grief-filled “Requiem.” Pleas for understanding such as “Only Us” give way to the fiery tell-off “Good for You.” This wonderful tonal whiplash makes you appreciate the versatility of composer Justin Paul and orchestrator Alex Lacamoire.
The instrumentation of this original cast recording is superb. The strings cut in at unexpected yet precisely perfect moments. The guitar lines are multifaceted and well played by Justin Goldner and Dillon Kondor. Jamie Eblen nails every drum part.
The cast performances are equally wonderful. Ben Platt of “Pitch Perfect” vividly conveys Evan’s intense emotional journey. Laura Dreyfuss delivers a mesmerizing vocal performance as Zoe, and Rachel Bay Jones expertly handles her role as Evan’s mom.
Benj Pasek’s lyrics for “Dear Evan Hansen” are wonderful. They convey sentiment in a way that is somehow not sentimental but heartbreakingly real. They’re honest about life’s harsher side and proudly optimistic. They feel like things real people would say if real people belted their hearts out.
The most mandatory song to listen to on this original cast recording is “You Will Be Found.” The rousing music and lyrics could cheer up the most unhappy of people. Its message of optimism and community stands as a light in an increasingly dark time.
The “Dear Evan Hansen” original cast recording is excellent and a fantastic introduction to the talents of Pasek and Paul. This is a work of art that will make you feel grateful to be alive.
Grade: A+
