The New Faces Of Anxiety: Meet The 2024/2025 Dear Evan Hansen Tour Casts
The emotionally resonant musical phenomenon, *Dear Evan Hansen*, has captivated audiences globally, and as of late 2024 and heading into 2025, two brand-new touring companies are bringing this powerful story of social anxiety and connection to stages across North America and the UK. The current iteration of the show features fresh talent and celebrated West End veterans, ensuring the heartbreaking and hopeful message remains as potent as ever for a new generation of theatergoers.
This article provides the definitive, up-to-date look at the principal actors leading both the North American Non-Equity Tour and the highly anticipated UK Tour, detailing their backgrounds, previous roles, and the initial critical reception to their performances. If you are planning to see the show this season, these are the names you need to know.
The 2024/2025 North American Tour Cast: Meet the New Evan Hansen
The second national North American tour of *Dear Evan Hansen* launched in September 2024, introducing a dynamic new company to the United States and Canada. This tour is notable for featuring a cohort of rising stars, many of whom are making their major national tour debuts. The production is currently led by an actor who has already spent time with the character, bringing a polished and authentic understanding to the role.
Principal Cast Biographies: North American Tour
- Michael Fabisch (Evan Hansen): A Minnesota-born actor/singer, Michael Fabisch steps into the title role, a character he has already performed in a previous capacity. Fabisch is a recent graduate of the prestigious University of Michigan’s BFA program, making this tour his notable post-collegiate debut. Critics have praised his portrayal as "very polished" and "probably the most authentic" they have seen, highlighting his mature singing and deep grasp of the character's profound anxiety.
- Hatty Ryan King (Zoe Murphy): Hatty Ryan King, a Nashville-based performer and recent BFA graduate from Lipscomb University, takes on the role of Zoe Murphy, the object of Evan’s affection. She brings a fresh perspective to the complex character, who is still grappling with the loss of her brother, Connor.
- Bre Cade (Heidi Hansen): Bre Cade portrays Heidi Hansen, Evan’s single, struggling mother. Cade’s performance has been singled out for its emotional depth, with reviewers noting her "perfect balance of strength and vulnerability" and a particularly heartfelt rendition of the powerful second-act song, “So Big/So Small.”
- Alex Pharo (Connor Murphy): Pharo takes on the pivotal role of Connor Murphy, the troubled student whose death sets the musical's events in motion.
- Caitlin Sams (Cynthia Murphy): Sams portrays Cynthia Murphy, Connor and Zoe’s mother.
The North American company is a Non-Equity production, which allows the show to reach a wider range of cities and venues, making the Tony Award-winning musical accessible across the country.
The 2024/2025 UK Tour Cast: West End Royalty Takes the Road
The UK and Ireland Tour of *Dear Evan Hansen*, which began in Autumn 2024, has generated significant buzz, largely due to the casting of several established West End stars. This production is also notable as the first UK tour to feature an ensemble cast, a creative choice that adds new dimension to the show's staging.
Principal Cast Biographies: UK Tour
- Ryan Kopel (Evan Hansen): Ryan Kopel leads the UK tour as Evan Hansen. Kopel is a recognized name in British theatre, with previous major credits including the lead role of Jack Kelly in Disney’s *Newsies* at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and a run in *The Book of Mormon*. His performance as Evan has been lauded by critics as "blisteringly good" and "rooted in a tangible vulnerability," cementing his status as a standout talent.
- Alice Fearn (Heidi Hansen): The casting of Alice Fearn as Heidi Hansen is a major draw for the UK tour. Fearn is a celebrated West End actress, best known for playing the iconic role of Elphaba in *Wicked* and Captain Beverley Bass in the Olivier Award-winning musical *Come From Away*. Her presence brings a powerful, experienced voice to the emotional core of the show.
- Lauren Conroy (Zoe Murphy): Lauren Conroy portrays Zoe Murphy. Her theatre credits include roles in *Babies* at the Lyric Theatre and *Into The Woods*.
- Helen Anker (Cynthia Murphy): Anker takes on the role of Cynthia Murphy, bringing her extensive stage experience to the Murphy family.
- Richard Hurst (Larry Murphy): Hurst plays Larry Murphy, the distant but loving father of Connor and Zoe.
The UK tour, with its mix of established West End performers and emerging talent, is a highly anticipated event, promising a fresh and emotionally charged experience for audiences across the UK and Ireland.
The Impact of the New Touring Casts on the Show's Legacy
The continuous relaunch of the *Dear Evan Hansen* national and international tours, featuring new casts like Michael Fabisch and Ryan Kopel, is a testament to the musical's enduring topical authority and universal message. The show, which won six Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, tackles complex themes of mental health, social media, and the desperate human need for connection.
Each new actor stepping into the shoes of Evan Hansen—a role originated by the legendary Ben Platt—brings their own unique interpretation to the deeply anxious character. This ensures the story remains relevant, avoiding the stagnation that can affect long-running productions. The current casts are tasked with delivering the show's signature emotional rollercoaster, from the viral sensation of "Waving Through a Window" to the climactic, tear-inducing "You Will Be Found."
The choice to include a well-known star like Alice Fearn in the UK tour, alongside fresh faces like Lauren Conroy, also demonstrates a commitment to both theatrical excellence and introducing new talent to major roles. This blend of experience and new energy keeps the production vibrant and appealing to both seasoned theatre fans and those discovering the show for the first time. The critical praise for the lead performances, such as Ryan Kopel's "stellar performance," indicates that the integrity and emotional impact of the original Broadway production are being maintained, if not enhanced, on the road.
Whether you catch the North American company led by Michael Fabisch or the UK production starring Ryan Kopel, the current 2024/2025 touring casts are poised to deliver the profound, moving, and necessary story of *Dear Evan Hansen* to audiences worldwide. Their performances are a reminder that even in isolation, no one is truly alone.
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