Musical theater aficionados, September 24 will be a good day and here’s why: Universal is debuting in theaters the film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen”.
Ben Platt is reprising his Tony winning role as the title character in “Dear Evan Hansen”, a film version of the popular Broadway musical created by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The show is centered on Evan Hansen, an anxious and isolated high school student. After the suicide of his classmate Connor Murphy, Evan is inadvertently caught in a lie when Connor’s parents mistake one of Hansen’s letters for his son’s suicide note.
Several films that were scheduled for 2021 have already been postponed because of the pandemic. However, “Dear Evan Hansen” has a better chance than most of maintaining its release date in the fall. That’s because Universal struck a premium video-on-demand deal with the AMC and Cinemark movie chains. Under the pact, the studio can release new films in home entertainment after 17 days, without fear of boycotting major theater circuits.
Stephen Chbosky (“The Advantages of Being Bothered”, “Marvel”) directed the film based on a screenplay by Steven Levenson, who wrote the book for the theatrical musical. The cast also includes Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Amy Adams and Julianne Moore.
“Dear Evan Hansen” debuted on Broadway in December 2016 and received rave reviews. He was nominated for nine Tony Awards and took home six, including best musical and best musical actor for Platt. The original Broadway cast album, which includes catchy songs “You Will Be Found”, “Waving Through a Window” and “Sincerely, Me”, won a Grammy.
Ben Platt’s father, Marc Platt, who produced “La La Land”, was a producer of “Dear Evan Hansen” with Adam Seigel. Pasek, Paul, Levenson and Michael Bederman are executive producers. Universal Pictures will distribute the film globally.