'Dear Evan Hansen' opens Manila run to enthusiastic, 'supportive' audience
MANILA, Philippines — The international tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” has entered its opening week in Manila, drawing strong reactions from audiences who laughed, cried and cheered throughout the performances.
Opening week performances attracted a lively crowd of young theater enthusiasts and families, with blue attire prominent among attendees, the show’s signature color. Audiences paused at photo areas around the theater, and many left with eyes still red from the show’s emotional scenes — the kind of atmosphere expected from a staging of an internationally acclaimed musical.
At a press conference held the day after their premiere night, the cast shared that Filipino theatergoers responded warmly during their first show, especially to the musical’s lighter moments despite its serious themes.
Helen Anker, who plays Cynthia Murphy, admitted she was unsure of how vocal the Manila crowd would be compared to audiences in the United Kingdom.
“I was thrilled with the audience’s reaction yesterday,” she said, adding that it was refreshing to hear the audience laughing at the show’s comedic lines. “It really makes our jobs so much easier and happier knowing that the audience is responding and appreciating what we do.”
Ellis Kirk, who plays the lead role of Evan Hansen, described Manila’s engaged crowd as “supportive.” He noted that their energy made it feel like the performers had the audience “on their side” throughout the show.
“You just felt it the entire show, because you think you’re in your own sense the entire time. To have an audience that feels like they’re on your side, and so supportive of everything you want to do, is absolutely beautiful,” Kirk said. “It was incredible just to have that.”
Meanwhile, Tom Dickerson, who plays Evan’s “family friend” Jared Kleinman, was equally grateful for the laughter.
“My gosh, thank you for laughing,” he said. “My happiness is based on when the audience laughs, so I will be having a great time in Manila, personally.”
Why this show, why now
"Dear Evan Hansen" tells the story of a high school student struggling with social anxiety who becomes entangled in a lie that unexpectedly gives him a sense of belonging.
The Broadway hit won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, for its moving portrayal of mental health, grief and the search for connection. At the same time, it has sparked debate, with some theatergoers considering it an empathetic depiction of teenage struggles, while others question the choices of its main character and how the story resolves.
Asked why the show was brought to Manila, GMG Productions executive producer Sam Sewell said it had long been on their radar.
“We knew this was what our audience really wanted to see,” she shared, citing surveys the company ran. GMG had been eyeing the show for years, but Sewell said “the stars aligned” for it to finally arrive in the country in 2025.
Sewell also noted that the Philippines has a relatively younger theater audience compared to other markets, making "Dear Evan Hansen" an especially fitting choice at a time when productions are increasingly leaning toward material that reflects the lives and concerns of younger generations.
“It feels very real to our young audience,” Sewell said, adding that Filipinos in particular are highly emotional, which makes the connection to the show even deeper.
As for the cast, Ellis Kirk, who plays Evan Hansen, emphasized the show’s universal resonance. “It is so much about connection and people and people’s flaws — just all of that — and I think it is always relevant,” he said. “No matter who you are — a parent, a son, anyone — you can always relate to someone in the story.”
Rebecca McKinnis, who plays Evan’s mom, added that the themes strike even closer to home today. “The story is so much about social media and isolation, and I think we all experienced that during COVID-19. Bringing it back to life after the pandemic, people can relate to it even more.”
"Dear Evan Hansen" opened on September 4 and continues its Manila run at The Theatre at Solaire through October 5, 2025.
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