Dear Evan Hansen going to West End!

[Call_me_jorge]

Well... doesn’t look like Bens announcement was for this.
I’m wondering if Maggie McKenna would transfer to this production. She finishes with the tour next month. I know she’s dating Noah Kieserman, though. So I’m not sure if she wants to stay in the US.

[superiska123]

What about Ben Levi Ross as Evan? He's also finishing up with the tour.

[everythingtaboo]

But Ms Mindich surprised me by saying she had woken one day at 3am with the realisation that ‘Evan has to be played by a British actor’. She also said they would use colour-blind casting, so he could be played by an Afro-Caribbean or Asian actor."

Producer of hit Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen seeks a British actor to play the title role in London

[superiska123]

Oh, I haven't read this — it definitely makes sense and I think it's cool that they're casting a British Evan. Also, are the performers going to speak in an American accent? I ask since DEH seems like it could easily be adapted to take part in the UK instead of the USA.

[LizzieCurry]

I can't imagine they're going to NOT keep it set in the U.S.

[Jordan Catalano]

Is there anything specific that sets the show in the states? If not, I can’t imagine why a few words couldn’t/wouldn’t be changed to have it more obviously set in the UK. I mean, even “Wicked” changed a line when Glinda says something about her and Elphie going to “Uni” together.

[Joshua Kilimnik]

superiska123 said: "Also, are the performers going to speak in an American accent? I ask since DEH seems like it could easily be adapted to take part in the UK instead of the USA."

In the Toronto production, the opening scene had Heidi Hansen holding an American bill. If they wouldn’t change something like the design of the currency for that production, I don’t think they would for any other.

[kdogg36]

Jordan Catalano said: "Is there anything specific that sets the show in the states? If not, I can’t imagine why a few words couldn’t/wouldn’t be changed to have it more obviously set in the UK. I mean, even “Wicked” changed a line when Glinda says something about her and Elphie going to “Uni” together."

I'm guessing that the baseball glove scene would be a bit anomalous in a British setting, but I could be wrong.

[qolbinau]

Yes baseball glove is a pretty American thing. As are school shooters, sorry (what would they change the line to?). It does feel more American than British to me. But of course if they HAD to I’m sure they could make it work.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

DEH is set in the US. Do British shows set in the UK change the setting to the US when they transfer here? Didn’t think so. If West End audiences can’t see and support great musicals set in the US and not reset in Britain, fewer and fewer shows will transfer there and it will be their loss. 

Personally, I think DEH will be a big hit in London (Toronto notwithstanding) but I might well be wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time. (It would be interesting to know how the OCR is selling across the pond). 

[superiska123]

I completely forgot about "Break in a glove" and the school shooter line when I wrote my initial comment. I completely agree if a show is specifically set in a certain country that the setting shouldn't change when the show is playing in a different country.
That said, I think for shows like Wicked it's nice that they let the actors perform it in British English since the show wasn't particularly "American" to begin with.

[LizzieCurry]

Wicked has an American story and American characters, but it doesn't take place in an actual place set in an existing country. It's flexible that way.

[Jordan Catalano]

The show now starts next month. I can’t believe we haven’t had any casting announcements yet!

[magictodo123]

Jordan Catalano said: "The show now starts next month. I can’t believe we haven’t had any casting announcements yet!"

Is DEH usually good with announcing castings way ahead of the show? Like for the tour? I know there are some shows that do not give much notice at all, but have they been good about it? Maybe sometime within the next two weeks we'll know. 

[RWPrincess]

I saw Ben Platt give a mini-concert at the US Open last Monday night and one of the songs was called "Rain". They even played it in the stadium later that night during a player break. 

I hope this production sticks around for a while on the West End. I'm hoping to get there next year.

[Jordan Catalano]

The first few months are virtually sold out (I got the last ticket the other day for a matinee in December), so I’m sure it’ll be there for quite some time. I just want to see the casting so I know If I’ll be seeing a “matinee Evan”.

[VotePeron]

Jordan Catalano said: "The first few months are virtually sold out (I got the last ticket the other day for a matinee in December), so I’m sure it’ll be there for quite some time. I just want to see the casting so I know If I’ll be seeing a “matinee Evan”."

If you’re seeing a matinee, there is a 99% chance you’re seeing a “matinee Evan”, no?

[magictodo123]

Jordan Catalano said: "The first few months are virtually sold out (I got the last ticket the other day for a matinee in December), so I’m sure it’ll be there for quite some time. I just want to see the casting so I know If I’ll be seeing a “matinee Evan”."

My prediction is that we'll get the announcement within the next two weeks. 

[Jordan Catalano]

VotePeron said: "If you’re seeing a matinee, there is a 99% chance you’re seeing a “matinee Evan”, no?"

Most probably, but I don’t know how they’re going to be doing it there, yet. I just grabbed the only ticket for the show that was even for sale for the entire month and will plan the trip around that. 

[SouthernCakes]

I’ve never seen a show with such hype and such boring staging

[Jordan Catalano]

Casting has been announced finally. There’s no talk of a “matinee Evan” which is interesting.

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Newcomer-Sam-Tutty-To-Lead-DEAR-EVAN-HANSEN-West-End-Additional-Casting-Announced-20190912

[Call_me_jorge]

Jordan Catalano said: "Casting has been announced finally. There’s no talk of a “matinee Evan” which is interesting.



https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Newcomer-Sam-Tutty-To-Lead-DEAR-EVAN-HANSEN-West-End-Additional-Casting-Announced-20190912"

Perhaps it’s been updated since you posted but the alternate Evan is named in the paragraph below everyone else.

”Marcus Harman has been cast as alternate Evan, and will also cover the roles of Connor and Jared.”

[Jordan Catalano]

Interesting. Thanks for that.