Dear Evan Hansen

 I saw this show for the first time with Julianne in NYC last summer. It blew me away. I thought I knew the show well. And as far as the plot and music goes, I suppose that was mostly accurate. What I didn't fully understand was the emotion and passion of the show. I remember when the lights came up for intermission, I couldn't stop crying. Julianne was asking for my thoughts on the show thus far, but I was so emotional I couldn't speak and it took me some time to get myself under control enough to be able to answer her. 

So when the time came for Dear Evan Hansen to travel to Salt Lake City, I bought an extra ticket so I could take Lilian with me. The show touches on some very timely messages that I thought would be good for her to see and hear as she's heading into her teen years. I thought it would lead to some good conversations about social media, suicide, feeling unseen or different, and what we can do to help others, or combat it ourselves. 

I don't want to make it sound like this show is a downer. It has so many comedic moments. It has a romance. It has some amazing music. And though it talks about some very serious issues, it is also so full of hope and ways in which people can do such good. I love theatre so very much. Sometimes it's solely about entertainment. But there are also shows that really stick with me and have a lasting impact. Dear Heaven Hansen is one of those shows. 

Some rough draft thoughts I wrote down after the show a few nights ago:

*We need to look around and find those who are on the ground in the dark who need be lifted up. There are people who feel invisible, like they don't matter. They need to know they matter and that they are not alone. Be aware of those around us!

*If we are the one on the ground in the dark...reach out!

*We are surrounded by social media, voices everywhere, all the time. Be so careful. It can bring us down..."on the outside always looking in..tap, tap tapping on the glass, waving through a window." But social media can also lift you and be a tool for such good! It all depends on how we use it. 

*"No one should flicker out or have any doubt that it matters that they are here. No one deserves to be forgotten."

The song right before intermission is a heart stopper. So full of heartbreaking truths but also such hope. I could literally hear a collective gasp as the whole audience caught their breath when the lights came up. The man next to me was sobbing quietly. This message...about feeling like you matter, about not being alone...I think every single one of us can relate to it. We've all been in that place where we wonder if we're being seen. And hopefully we've also had times where we've been or can be that friend who reaches out to those who are broken on the ground.

Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

Well, let that lonely feeling wash away
Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay
'Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand
You can reach, reach out your hand

And oh, someone will coming running
And I know, they'll take you home

Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
Lift your head and look around
You will be found
You will be found
You will be found
You will be found
You will be found

There's a place where we don't have to feel unknown
(Oh my god, everybody needs to see this)
And every time that you call out
You're a little less alone
(I can't stop watching this video, seventeen years old)
If you only say the word
(Take five minutes, this will make your day)
From across the silence your voice is heard

Share it with the people you love
(Repost, the world needs to hear this)
(A beautiful tribute, favourite!)
(I know someone who really needed to hear this today)
(So thank you Evan Hansen for doing what you're doing)
(I never met you Connor, but coming on here, reading everyone's posts)
(It's so easy to feel alone, but Evan is exactly right—we're not alone, none of us)
(We're not alone, none of us! None of us!)
(None of us are alone) (Like, forward)

Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found (You will be found)
You will be found (You will be found)
You will be found

Out of the shadows
The morning is breaking
And all is new, all is new
It's filling up the empty
And suddenly I see that
All is new, all is new

You are not alone
You are not alone
You are not alone
You are not alone
You are not alone (You are not alone)
You are not alone (You are not alone)
You are not
You are not alone (You are not alone)

Even when the dark comes crashin' through
When you need someone to carry you
When you're broken on the ground
You will be found!
So when the sun comes streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found
You will be found
You will be found
You will be found!

You will be found