In Conversation With Dear Evan Hansen's Lead, Stuart Brown

Stuart Brown takes on the challenge that the role of Evan Hansen would provide him

Showtime Management and How Now Brown Cow Productions present the brand-new, reimagined production of the Tony Award-Winning, Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen now on at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg for a limited season ending on 6 April.

Dear Evan Hansen is a powerful ‘drama musical’, with a score created by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman) a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon). The show is winner of six Tony Awards (including Best Musical), the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, and an Olivier Award for Best Musical.

Evan Hansen is a relatable, socially awkward high school student navigating anxiety and the universal desire to connect. What begins as a misunderstanding becomes an incredible journey of self-discovery, connection, and the power of community. As Evan’s story unfolds, he learns valuable lessons about authenticity, courage, and the beauty of being true to oneself. Dear Evan Hansen has touched audiences worldwide with its unforgettable music and its hopeful message: even in the most challenging moments, we are never truly alone.

Stepping into the lead role of Evan Hansen, and joining the likes of Ben Platt and Sam Tutty, is Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner Stuart Brown. Born in Johannesburg but is an honorary Capetonian. Before delving into theatre, he completed a BSc in Sports Science at Stellenbosch University. Going forward, Stuart graduated from the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) in 2021 and has since featured in The Tales of The Big Bad Wolf (2021), How To Date Like A F*@#&%! Grownup – A Musical Comedy (Workshop Version) (2022), Defending The Gay Man (2022), We Will Rock You international tour 2022/23, MAMMA MIA! (2024) and Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Beauty & the Beast (2024).

Few roles in modern musical theatre resonate as deeply as Evan Hansen — a character whose journey of loneliness, connection, and self-discovery has touched audiences worldwide. Stuart shares the challenges, joys, and emotional weight of bringing Evan to life on stage.

What drew you to audition for the role of Evan Hansen?

My first instinct was “I want to sing those songs“, but as I thought more about it, what really drew me was the challenge that the role would provide me.
We as artists always want to grow and be challenged with every show we do because there is nothing worse than being bored on stage. A large majority of the South African audience is quite conservative, and are scared to take the risk to watch productions they don’t know. So to get a rare gem like Dear Evan Hansen that has an amazing script, seamless transitions between scene and song, is a gift you pounce on.

Every actor brings something unique to their portrayal of Evan. How did you approach embodying such complex character – making the character your own and staying true to the essence of the role? (What research or personal experiences did you draw upon in your portrayal of Evan)

Having studied Musical Theatre at LAMTA, I had already seen versions of the show online, so I was already influenced by that. Ben Platt originated Evan Hansen and you will definitely see some elements of his Evan in mine.
I think the essence of Evan has to be broad enough for everyone to relate to him in some way, but he also needs such specificity for the character to stay truthful.
I drew inspiration from the people around me. I took elements of their characters and plugged them into my Evan, such as anxious ticks, speech patterns and even posture.
But I have also found elements of myself in Evan, which is so important when finding the truth in your performance.

The songs are vocally demanding and filled with raw emotion, and form an integral part of the storytelling, and expressing the character’s own inner turmoil. Which song(s) presented the biggest challenge for you vocally and emotionally, and how did you work through that to connect with the audience?

“Waving Through A Window” definitely presented the biggest vocal challenge for me. It’s right at the top of the show and I have to sing in my upper register for most of it, climaxing with multiple full voice B-flats. I have found over the course of the run how to pace the song and how to pace the shows over the week to allow me to hit those notes 8 times, plus a few physical movements that help me support.
Emotionally, the most challenging song is “Words Fail“. I think this seems the obvious choice because of the content of the song as well as having been on a very emotionally chaotic journey up until the start of the song. Then comes the journey of the song itself, where Evan confesses, loses everything, tries to reason why, faces himself, pulls himself back and forth, and then accepts what he needs to do. It is 9 minutes of raw emotion.
I think the key to stay connected with the audience through these songs is to remain truthful to every single moment. You will lose them if you don’t believe what your singing, so its about focus and honesty and vulnerability.

The role of Evan Hansen is known for its emotional intensity and demanding performance schedule. How do you manage the emotional toll of playing Evan Hansen, and what self-care practices do you employ to maintain your own well-being?

During the rehearsal process I employed a way to “step out” of the character after each show. Evan has a very different physicality to Stuart, so as soon as I shift back into Stuart’s posture, its like I’ve severed Evan from myself. This helps me to detach from Evan’s emotional state, because it can be quite dangerous to sit in that feeling of loneliness and anxiety.
I think this comes along with my age and maturity, and knowing the impact the role can have on my personal life. I make sure not to tap into my own personal experiences to connect to Evan’s psyche. I have come to understand and know Evan very intimately, so when I’m in, I’m in deep.
Another aspect is the shift in the pitch of my voice. I have a much lower speaking voice than Evan, so thats another switch that helps me separate.

What has the dynamic been like working with the director and fellow cast members to bring Evan’s story to life?

The dynamic was symbiotic really. Greg (director) had a very clear vision of what he wanted to share with the world, and we agreed on most things. This made creating the character a very collaborative process. Greg has a lot of patience and warmth, which only aided the process, making it feel safe.
This cast in spectacular. I couldn’t have asked to be surrounded by better people. Everyone is so intent on sharing this story honestly, and they all brought so much to their characters. This made my journey as Evan 4D. We would have group and one-on-one discussions about the dynamics between characters, about singular lines, reactions and intentions and how they contribute to Evan’s journey, and the audience’s journey.

What has been the most rewarding part of your Dear Evan Hansen journey and has playing Evan changed your perspective on mental health, loneliness, and the importance of connection?

Every show I do feels very cathartic, with a massive release near the end of the show during “Words Fail” and “So Big/So Small”.
I have received many an instagram DM from people who have watched the show, and they pour their hearts out to me, saying ‘thank you for making me feel seen’. That has to be the most rewarding part of this show for me.
I’ve always been quite aware of mental health and loneliness because it is something I have experienced on a very personal level in my life. In the past and currently. The importance of connection is a difficult one for me because I find it is something I continue to struggle with on a daily basis. That is what Evan and I share the most.

The musical resonates deeply with audiences, particularly young audiences, due to its exploration of mental health and social isolation. What do you hope audiences take away from your performance and the show as a whole, and what kind of conversations do you hope it sparks?

I am so overwhelmed with the response from young audiences. It’s so exciting to have them experience theatre they can relate to on such a personal level. We need more young audience to want to watch theatre, and Dear Evan Hansen just the start of what can be a massive breakthrough in our industry.
I hope people watch this show and leave fuller than when they came in, because what is theatre if you’re not moved? I hope it opens discussions about mental health and the importance of speaking out when you don’t feel seen. And I hope it makes those who don’t feel seen, feel seen, and know that they are just as impressive and important to the world as anyone else. “No one deserves to be forgotten” – this show will make sure of that.

The all-South African creative team, cast, crew and live 8-piece band combines the finest local talent both on and off stage. Established musical theatre stars include: Lucy Tops (The Rocky Horror Show, Kinky Boots) as Heidi Hansen; Sharon Spiegel Wagner (Hairspray, Grease) as Cynthia Murphy; and Charlie Bouguenon (Jersey Boys, Sweeney Todd) as Larry Murphy. Justin Swartz (West Side Story, Janice Honeyman’s Jack And The Beanstalk, The Afterlife Of The Party) features as Jared Kleinman alongside Ntshikeng Matooane (MAMMA MIA!) as Alana Beck. Singer-songwriter Keely Crocker makes her professional debut as Zoe Murphy and Michael Stray (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Dead At The Box Office, Abraham Lincoln) stars as Connor Murphy.

The musical’s creative team includes Greg Karvellas (Director); Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (Musical Supervisor); Niall Griffin (Set, Lighting & Costume Designer); Kurt Haupt (Musical Director); David Classen (Sound Designer); Louisa Talbot (Choreographer) and Alistair Kilbee (Technical Director).

Dear Evan Hansen is now on stage at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg for a limited season ending on 6 April — book your seats now for an unforgettable theatrical experience!

Show Information:

Johannesburg: Teatro, Montecasino
Until 06 April 2025

Performances:
Weekdays:
Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, Fridays at 8pm

Weekends:
Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm; Sundays at 2pm & 6pm

Bookings:
Showtime or Ticketmaster

Ticket Prices:
Midweek:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sunday’s 6pm: R200, R280, R380, R450 (including VAT)

Weekend:
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm: R250, R350, R450, R500 (including VAT)

Special Discount Offers:

Terrific Tuesdays:
Only valid for Tuesday performances: R150, R200, R300, R400

Not valid with any other discount offer such as Early Bird special

Group Bookings:
20% Discount on groups of 20 and more
Wednesday, Thursday 8pm and Sunday 6pm performances only valid for the top two prices.

Contact Jill Somers office hours only, 9am to 5pm on 079 218 1658, sales@showtime.co.za

Age Restriction:
Parental guidance advised, strong adult themes and language
Recommended for children 12+ years. No children under 4 years permitted

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