Kurt Haupt, of Bellville, and Lucy Tops, of Durbanville, have key roles in Dear Evan Hansen. Pictures: Daniel Manners.
Kurt Haupt, of Bellville, and Lucy Tops, of Durbanville, play key parts in Dear Evan Hansen, which opens at the Artscape next month.
Billed as a musical drama focusing on themes of acceptance, mental health, and the longing for connection as characters navigate the digital world with its isolation and our need for human connection, it stars Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner Stuart Brown, of Hout Bay, in the title role. Greg Karvellas directs while Haupt is the musical director and Tops plays Evan’s mother, Heidi Hansen.
“This show is an incredibly special story that speaks to so many of us about the impact of social media, mental health and what it means to truly belong,” says Brown, a 2021 graduate of the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy.
Describing her role as the mother of the troubled Evan, Tops, says, “She is a hard-working single mom who is also taking night classes. She is incredibly relatable, as she is trying her best to be a good mother, but obviously is struggling with dealing with her full plate and her socially awkward son, Evan.
“I think sometimes we are afraid to speak our innermost truths, especially to those closest to us. We all do it sometimes and perhaps this show will help people and their families to feel like they can open up and have those difficult discussions.
“They will leave feeling uplifted though. It’s a great reminder to always lead with love.”
Dear Evan Hansen is at the Artscape Theatre from Wednesday February 12 until Sunday March 9. Visit showtime.co.za or hownowbrowncow.co.za for tickets, which range from R150 to R500. Visit www.artscape.co.za for more information.
Due to mature themes and strong language, this production is not recommended for children under 12.