Dear Evan Hansen rehearsals begin at Nottingham Playhouse

With less than a month to go until opening night, the Dear Evan Hansen company have arrived in Nottingham for rehearsals.

The cast of fourteen, including an ensemble for the first time in the musical's history, were welcomed at Nottingham Playhouse as they finally all gathered to begin rehearsals.

The brand-new production of Dear Evan Hansen will premiere at Nottingham Playhouse on September 9, and remain at the venue until September 28, before embarking on a UK wide tour.

A coming of age tale about Evan, who just wants to fit in, the modern classic is packed with some of the biggest musical theatre songs of the last decade, with a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Oscar-winning composers for The Greatest Showman) and book by Steven Levenson. Its many awards include the Tony Award for Best Musical, Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Ryan Kopel (Newsies) will play the iconic role of Evan Hansen alongside Lauren Conroy (Into The Woods) as Zoe Murphy and Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) as Evan's mum Heidi.

They will be joined by Helen Anker (Mamma Mia!) as Cynthia Murphy, Richard Hurst (The Lion King) as Larry Murphy, Killian Thomas Lefevre (Bat Out Of Hell) as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson (Heathers) as Jared Kleinman and Vivian Panka (9 to 5 the Musical) as Alana Beck.

Cast via Tik Tok, Sonny Monaghan is alternate Evan, performing the role twice a week at every matinee performance.

Director Adam Penford said: "It's powerful, it's got some serious themes, but it's ultimately full of joy — and some cracking music.”