‘You Will Be Found’: Why the award-winning musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ still speaks to today’s generation 

In a world where young people grapple with social media pressures, pandemic scars, and the uncertainty of adulthood, theater actor Ellis Kirk believes "Dear Evan Hansen" tells a story that feels more urgent than ever.

“I personally think it's just such an important story, like I think there's so much about connection and people and people's flaws, just all of that,” said Kirk, who leads the international touring company as Evan Hansen, at the press conference. 

“And I just think it's always relevant. I don't think it matters what period you're in. I think everyone can relate to someone in the story. I don't think it matters whether you're a dad, a mum, a son, literally anyone.”

If he could speak to Evan directly, Kirk said his advice would be simple: “Just breathe. Lord, please. But I would also tell him that he's not broken, that he is beautiful, and that your flaws are what make you. They're only flaws if you look at them in that way. And certain things about you can be a strength. They don't have to be a weakness.”

That message of reframing flaws as strengths and finding courage in honesty is why the musical continues to resonate with younger audiences. 

Meanwhile, for many in the cast, who discovered "Dear Evan Hansen" as teenagers, returning to the show as adults has revealed new depths in its message.

Zoë Athena, who plays Zoe Murphy, admitted that she grew up loving the show as a fan before eventually joining the company. 

“I mean, there's a whole song about it, but the very strong message is, you will be found, right? I’ve loved the show since I was a teenager, which a lot of us in the cast have done. And I think going through experiences as a young adult and then coming back to this, like, really hearing the lyrics for the first time, and actually being able to understand the weight of them.”

She added that the show feels especially relevant after years of upheaval. 

“As you go out of teenagehood and step into being an adult, there are challenges we’re facing, especially over the last few years with the pandemic and lots of change in the world. I think knowing that we are all kind of in this together, and at the end of the day, we're all here on this planet doing the same thing, and that we need to just remember that we can look out for each other, and that you will be found, and you're not alone.”

For both Kirk and Athena, that universality is what makes the show stand out — even for audiences who may be watching musical theatre for the very first time. “I think it's so important for anyone, even people that aren't necessarily into musical theatre, and it's maybe their first time, I think they would still be affected,” Kirk said. 

“And I've seen so many people be affected by the story, even when they haven't seen musical theatre before. I think it's so powerful. And then the music is beautiful, and I think that tells the story itself,” he added. 

Now running at The Theatre at Solaire, the Manila staging of "Dear Evan Hansen" marks the first stop in Asia for the UK touring company, which has already played in 32 cities across Britain.Tickets are on sale, with price range from P1,904 to P6,877 via TicketWorld. — LA, GMA Integrated News