DEH or CFA

[denali.fire]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:07pm

Very curious to get ya'lls thoughts!

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:10pm

denali.fire said: "Very curious to get ya'lls thoughts!"

There are multiple threads on both shows below. 

 

[denali.fire]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:27pm

I was looking for comparisons and preferences for those who have seen both. Threads on the individual shows are obvious.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:29pm

Between them, I'd still say Great Comet.

But honestly, I consider them both pretty equal. Come from Away maybe edges it out a tiny bit for me.

[macnyc]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:30pm

Of course it's a matter of personal taste. I have seen both and like both very much. They are really different from each other. Come From Away is an ensemble show, and DEH is a tour-de-force for the lead.

If I had to pick one or the other, I would go with DEH. I think the score is stronger, and Ben Platt is giving what has to be one of the most amazing performances I have ever seen.

Come From Away is very well done and very moving, but in my opinion DEH beats it.

Updated On: 2/28/17 at 01:30 PM

[MyLife]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 1:44pm

This will likely be the unpopular opinion but my vote goes to Come From Away by a mile even though Ben Platt's performance is as incredible as everyone describes.  

Come From Away did something for me that Dear Evan Hansen tried but didn't come close to achieving - it made me empathize and feel. The characters in Come From Away,as I mentioned, seem real and fleshed out (even without knowing an entire back story). In Dear Evan Hansen, everyone seems much more caricaturized, so while the story is heavy and sad, I was unable to feel emotion as deeply as I thought I would or wanted to. I'd describe Come From Away as natural and Dear Evan Hansen as contrived.

I also found the layered humor in Come From Away to be more natural, appropriate ,and successful while in Dear Evan Hansen the humorous moments wildly out of place (especially that awful character Jared).

Updated On: 2/28/17 at 01:44 PM

[99pandas]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 6:30pm

I will second Come From Away, which I saw in Toronto. Saw Dear Evan Hansen last Dec in NYC. 

Come From Away had a stronger emotional feel to me - I cried three times. I walked away from the show truly believing in humanity. Dear Evan Hansen tries a little too hard it seems. The emotional connection wasn't as strong for me. I walked away thinking it was a good show, but nothing further. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 8:42am

I finally saw CFA last night and saw DEH early January. Both are emotional musicals but DEH swept me away more than CFA. 

Im trying to figure out why and I think it's because CFA didn't realy focus on one or two stories, but rather several stories (which is fine). I didn't feel the characters were as fully developed as those in DEH.

As an ensemble show, CFA was great and I was certainly entertained. I didn't know there was no intermission so the pacing for me did feel like it was a bit long. Hopefully by the time they open they'll include an intermission at some point. 

[Mike66]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 9:20am

The younger you are, the more you will be moved by DEH.

The older you are, the more you will be moved by CFA.

 

[cam5y]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 10:07am

Mike66 said: "The younger you are, the more you will be moved by DEH.

The older you are, the more you will be moved by CFA."

Totally agree.

 

[kreichelt]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 12:11pm

Mike66 said: "The younger you are, the more you will be moved by DEH. The older you are, the more you will be moved by CFA.
 

Totally disagree.  Among the beautiful things about DEH is its appeal to both young and old.  My daughter loved it, primarily through her connection with Evan.  I loved it, particularly through my connection with the parents.  Maybe there's a u-shaped relationship here, where young and old especially love DEH - maybe you wouldn't appreciate it as a thirty-something with no kids or very young ones.  But as a parent of teens, my take on DEH is do not miss it.
 

 

"

 

[HSky]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 12:45pm

I adore both shows. I've seen Dear Evan Hansen several times since DC, and loved Come From Away when I saw it the previous weekend so I've returned to see today's matinee. 

I'm a thirtysomething with no kids but still relate to DEH. I don't think there's an age gap - to me, looking at Evan is reflecting on 15-20 years ago and knowing that indeed, it is possible to see the sky. 

CFA was a whirlwind that grabbed me from the opening number and wouldn't let go until the exit music was over. 

I'd say DEH is about finding yourself, while CFA is about finding community, and both have a place in my list of favorite currently running musicals. (Throw in the Great Comet and I could just stay on that stretch of 45th Street.) I'd be more likely to sing along with DEH in the car, but the CFA music is infectious and brings a smile to my face. 

 

 

[denali.fire]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 8:35am

Bump.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 8:47am

I really enjoyed both shows immensely, but I think Come From Away has the slight edge in my book.

[froote]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 8:56am

Come From Away.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:08am

COME FROM AWAY.

[dlenxz]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:18am

Both shows have a lot to offer. Ben Platt's performance in "Dear Evan Hansen" is as incredible as everyone says it is, and I greatly admired the book and score. However, in spite of all the emotional turmoil in the story, I walked away strangely unmoved by it.

"Come From Away", however, restored my faith in humanity. The ensemble worked brilliantly together, the music is beautiful and evocative, and I wound up caring for all of the characters. To me, it was the perfect fusion of direction, song, and story that created a seamless and naturally integrated musical theatre experience.

For what it's worth, I fall into the twenty-something demographic and greatly preferred "Come From Away" (in case you couldn't tell!).
 

Updated On: 5/7/17 at 10:18 AM

[mmFan]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:27am

Mike66 said: "The younger you are, the more you will be moved by DEH.

The older you are, the more you will be moved by CFA."

Not sure what you consider "younger" vs "older" but I disagree.  I am in my lower 40s and really loved DEH (i.e. so well out of my teens).  I appreciated it both from Evan's point of view (as I have a lot of insecurities myself and can totally relate) and also from the mom's point of view - of Conner and Evan's wanting to do your best and help your children.  The score is one of the most beautiful I have heard and was quite moved.

Haven't seen CFA so can't comment.   I know it did very well though in my city (Toronto) and moved to Broadway and is even returning to Toronto due to the demand.

 

[bexplex]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 3:22pm

Bro I don't see Morgan freeman taking time to see come from away 3 times let alone once. I shared candy with him at DEH so DEH wins.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 3:30pm

Dear Evan Hansen.

[Gensho]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 4:34pm

DEH definitely. Though CFA is wonderful. And easier to get tickets to. Also, the shows are very different. Hard to compare the two. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 5:09pm

Neither is perfect, and they are both really wonderful.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 5:41pm

DEH has the deeper score (IMO) and more richly written characters. CFA is the show you need to see if you want the theater to lift your spirits. DEH I think is a very emotional, heavy show and some people might not be in the mood for it. They're too different to compare.