UK Tour of Dear Evan Hansen Finds Cast Through TikTok Casting Call
The full casting for the UK tour of "Dear Evan Hansen" has been revealed. Directed by Nottingham Playhouse’s Adam Penford, the production will debut at Nottingham Playhouse on September 9, 2024, before embarking on a UK tour.
Ryan Kopel will star as Evan Hansen, with Lauren Conroy and Alice Fearn playing Zoe Murphy and Heidi Hansen, respectively. The cast also includes Helen Anker, Richard Hurst, Killian Thomas Lefevre, Tom Dickerson, Vivian Panka, and Sonny Monaghan as the understudy for Evan.
This new production marks the first time "Dear Evan Hansen" will feature an ensemble in the UK, and it includes a mix of seasoned actors and fresh talent. Penford expressed his excitement about the cast, saying, "It’s been nine years since the original show premiered, and it’s an honour to be the first production to reimagine this powerful story through a contemporary lens."
Dear Evan Hansen Put Out TikTok Casting Call For Actors
Sonny Monaghan, discovered through a TikTok casting call, is one of the standout additions. Earlier this year, thousands auditioned via TikTok, and Monaghan, from East Sussex, emerged as the understudy for Evan. Monaghan shared his enthusiasm in a BBC interview, saying, "Evan's a role I've always wanted to play since I started doing musical theatre."
The TikTok casting process aimed to democratise auditions, allowing aspiring actors without agents or drama school backgrounds a chance to be seen. Despite some criticism of the approach, Monaghan and other auditionees appreciated the opportunity.
"The fact they've given people like me the opportunity to even audition and be in the room with real producers is incredible," said Thomas Fage, one of the TikTok hopefuls.
Alongside its original score by Pasek and Paul, the production has partnered with The Mix, a UK charity for under-25s, to provide training on responding to public queries.
See the list below for dates and locations of the UK Tour Performances
2024
- Nottingham Playhouse (9th - 28th September 2024)
- Curve Leicester (from 1st October 2024)
- Hall for Cornwall (from 8th October 2024)
- Brighton Theatre Royal (from 15th October 2024)
- Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham (from 22nd October 2024)
- New Victoria in Woking (from 29th October 2024)
- Leeds Grand (from 5th November 2024)
- Liverpool Empire (from 12th November 2024)
- Sunderland Empire (from 19th November 2024)
- New Theatre Oxford (from 26th November 2024)
2025
- Northampton Derngate (from 14th January 2025)
- Mayflower Southampton (from 21st January 2025)
- Milton Keynes Theatre (from 28th January 2025)
- Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (from 4th February)
- Bristol Hippodrome (from 11th February 2025)
- Manchester Palace Theatre (from 18th February 2025)
- King’s Theatre Glasgow (from 25th February 2025)
- His Majesty’s Aberdeen (from 4th March 2025)
- Grand Opera House Belfast (from 11th March 2025)
- Storyhouse Chester (from 18th March 2025)
- New Wimbledon Theatre (from 25th March 2025)
- Wolverhampton Grand (from 1st April 2025)
- Sheffield Lyceum (from 8th April 2025)
- Theatre Royal Plymouth (from 15th April 2025)
- Hull New Theatre (from 22nd April 2025)
- Wales Millenium Centre Cardiff (from 29th April 2025)
- Theatre Royal Norwich (from 13th May 2025)
- Blackpool Grand Theatre (from 20th May).
