HEART to Stage Tony-Winning DEAR EVAN HANSEN at East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center

The Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre (HEART) continues its award-winning season with the deeply moving contemporary musical Dear Evan Hansen, opening February 13 and running through March 1 at the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center.

A six-time Tony Award winner including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book of a Musical, Dear Evan Hansen also received the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for its emotionally charged score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the celebrated songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land. Honest, urgent, and profoundly resonant, the musical explores loneliness, truth, mental health, and the universal desire to be seen and understood.

This new production is directed by BroadwayWorld Award winner Larry Reitzer, who recently won the 2025 BroadwayWorld Award for Best Director of a Play for his acclaimed staging of A View from the Bridge. HEART's production of A View from the Bridge was a major BroadwayWorld Awards success, earning five wins:

• Best Actor in a Play - Damien Stack for A View from the Bridge

• Best Director of a Play - Larry Reitzer for A View from the Bridge

• Best Play - A View from the Bridge

• Best Set Design for a Musical - The Little Mermaid

• Best Youth Theatre in the State of Hawaii - The Little Mermaid

Building on that extraordinary recognition, HEART now brings its signature emotional depth and artistic excellence to one of the most culturally significant musicals of the 21st century.

"Dear Evan Hansen speaks directly to the world our young people are living in right now," said Reitzer. "It's a story about connection in an age of disconnection. We approached this production with tremendous care, making sure the emotional truth of these characters remains front and center. Our goal is for audiences to see themselves in this story and leave feeling less alone."

The story centers on Evan Hansen, portrayed by Joshua Timmons, a socially anxious high school senior desperate for connection but unable to find his voice. Melissa Moore plays Heidi Hansen, Evan's well-meaning yet overwhelmed mother, navigating the complexities of single parenthood while trying to truly support a child in crisis.

Zaira Hahn appears as Zoe Murphy, a guarded and emotionally complex teenager coping with grief while yearning to be seen beyond her family's tragedy. Sarah Polloi portrays Cynthia Murphy, a mother consumed by loss and searching for meaning in her son's death. John Frederick plays Larry Murphy, whose emotional reserve masks deep pain and confusion. Chris Kocian portrays Connor Murphy, the deceased son whose presence drives the emotional weight of the story.

Lenx Neves takes on the role of Jared Kleinman, Evan's sarcastic and socially savvy family friend who brings humor while navigating his own search for belonging. Maya Polloi portrays Alana Beck, an ambitious, anxious overachiever whose activism and moral drive reflect her own need for validation.

The ensemble of Lyla Anderson, Cori Lynne Cooper, Olga Lehua, Justin Martin, Josh Payne, Micah Polloi, and Yisa Var brings the digital and emotional landscape of the story to life, portraying classmates, online voices, and the ever-present chorus that amplifies both connection and isolation in today's world.

Damien Stack serves as Musical Director, guiding the cast through Pasek and Paul's soaring and technically demanding score. Kaleo Akau provides Set, Projection, and Sound Design, crafting an immersive environment that mirrors the characters' internal and external pressures. Sonny Czyscon contributes Lighting and Projection Design, shaping the visual storytelling and emotional tone of the production. Mahina Bell's Costume Design grounds the characters in a contemporary and authentic aesthetic. Additional Vocal Direction is provided by Josh Payne.

Reitzer adds, "This piece requires vulnerability from every single person involved - cast, designers, musicians, and crew. What has been remarkable is watching this company rise to that challenge. HEART is committed to giving artists the space to grow, take risks, and tell stories that matter. This production embodies that commitment."

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