‘Dear Evan Hansen’ cast moved by Filipino audience’s warmth and support 

Performing for the first time in Manila, the UK touring cast of "Dear Evan Hansen" was deeply moved by the warmth and attentiveness of Filipino theatre-goers.

“It was absolutely incredible. I think supportive was the word that I could come up with,” said Ellis Kirk, who plays the titular role. 

“You just felt [it] the entire show. Because I’m on stage the entire time, to have an audience like that — that feel like they’re on your side, and they are so supportive of everything you are doing — was absolutely beautiful.”

Helen Anker, who plays Cynthia Murphy, admitted she initially prepared her fellow cast members for a more restrained reception, compared to UK audiences. But she was proven wrong.

“I had kind of warned people that the audience may not be as vocal as we're used to in the UK, but it was so wonderful,” she said. 

“We did get a response, and we did get people laughing. Everyone was really on it and loved it, and you could really tell from the audience. That was so refreshing for me, because I was just like, yes, this is amazing. They do understand us.”

For the company, hearing laughter and seeing the audience connect with both the heartbreaking and humorous moments reaffirmed the universality of the show.

READ: Why the award-winning musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ still speaks to today’s generation 

The Manila season is not just the first run of "Dear Evan Hansen" in the Philippines, but also the first stop of the UK touring company in Asia.

After 32 cities across Britain, the cast is now discovering a new kind of theatre community — one that lives and breathes music.

With its themes of hope, connection, and acceptance, the show has resonated with Filipino fans, many of whom have carried its iconic anthem “You Will Be Found” for years. For the cast, the Manila audience’s embrace was proof that "Dear Evan Hansen" can speak across borders.

“That’s one of the wonderful things about theatre,” Anker said. “It just starts you talking. And if you can help in some way, that is amazing.”

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