Gripping, Honest, Unforgettable: Dear Evan Hansen at the Wales Millennium Centre

Review: Dear Evan Hansen – Wales Millennium Centre, 29th April
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some shows entertain, some provoke though and then there are shows like Dear Evan Hansen that reach in, grab your heart, and don’t let go. On 29th April at the Wales Millennium Centre, the touring production of this modern classic delivered a theatrical experience that was as emotionally overwhelming as it was beautifully crafted.

From the very first moments of “Waving Through a Window,” I felt goosebumps and they stayed with me throughout. This wasn’t just a performance; it was an emotional reckoning, handled with such sensitivity and care that it was impossible not to be affected.

Ryan Kopel was truly outstanding in the title role. His ability to embody Evan’s awkwardness, anxiety, and longing for connection was remarkable. Every nervous gesture and cracked voice felt utterly authentic, and his vocal performance—raw, tender, and soaring—left the audience hanging on every word. It’s a rare thing to watch an actor disappear so completely into a role.

Alice Fearn as Zoe Murphy was another standout, bringing a gentle resilience and depth to the character that perfectly complemented Kopel’s intensity. Their scenes together, sometimes awkward, sometimes heart-breaking, felt charged with genuine emotion.

Technically, the production was sleek and impressively executed. The set, deceptively simple in appearance, used automation and projections to create a seamless flow between scenes and inner worlds. Social media posts, messages, and digital noise danced across the stage, reinforcing the central themes of connection and isolation in the digital age. It was never overwhelming, it served the story, enhancing its impact without ever pulling focus.

What struck me most, though, was the way this show held the audience in the palm of its hand. You could feel the stillness, the collective breath-holding during quieter moments, and the swell of emotion during key songs like “You Will Be Found.” By the time the final note rang out, the standing ovation was instant and heartfelt, a rare and unanimous outpouring of appreciation for a performance that genuinely moved people.

Dear Evan Hansen isn’t just a musical it’s an experience. And this production proves that its message of truth, loneliness, and the need to be heard remains just as vital today as it was on opening night. If you’re looking for theatre that stays with you long after the lights come up, this is it.

Dear Evan Hansen continues at the Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday 3 May with limited tickets still available, priced from £17.

Age guidance is 12+ with no admittance to under 2s.  Visit the Wales Millennium Centre website for more information.

Running time is 2h45 including an interval.