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Home , Dear Evan Hansen, Steven Levenson, Waving Through a Window

‘’ makes KC debut

“ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE SHOWS IN MUSICAL THEATER HISTORY.”

–

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR MAKES

KANSAS CITY DEBUT AT MUSIC HALL

Described by the Times as a “cultural phenomenon,” DEAR EVAN HANSEN comes to Kansas City’s Music Hall October 15-20, 2019. Casting includes Stephen Christopher Anthony in the title role.Jessica Sherman plays ‘Heidi Hansen’, Claire Rankin plays ‘Cynthia Murphy’, andJohn Hemphill plays ‘Larry Murphy.’ Noah Kieserman and Stephanie La Rochelle round out the Murphy family (as Connor and Zoe, respectively), with Alessandro Costantini as ‘Jared Kleinman’ and Ciara Alyse Harris as ‘Alana Beck’ completing the on-stage .

Tickets for DEAR EVAN HANSEN are on sale now and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, or at the Music Hall box office, at 301 W. 13th Street.

The cast also includes Sam Primack (as the Evan alternate) along with Linedy Genao, David Jeffery, Matthew Edward Kemp, Asher Muldoon, Coleen Sexton, Daniel Robert Sullivan, Kelsey Venter and Maria Wirries. The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award® winner , a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and (, ), and direction by four-time Tony Award® nominee (, ).

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post’s Peter Marks, DEAR EVAN HANSEN opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016. There, it has broken all box office records and struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, including New York Times critic Jesse Green, who, in his May 2019 re-review of the show, declared it “more and more ingenious with each viewing. It is more hopeful than ever.”

The Broadway production recently celebrated its two-year anniversary with a special donation to the Smithsonian, where the show’s iconic blue polo and arm cast will now be part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. A record-breaking US national tour launched in October 2018 and is currently playing across North America, and a limited engagement recently opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, where it runs through July 21, 2019. The show’s second international production will open in the West End on November 19, 2019 at London’s Noel Coward Theatre.

The Grammy® Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of DEAR EVAN HANSEN produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award® for Best Album. A deluxe version of the cast recording, including six bonus tracks and a pop cover from of “” is now available digitally.

A special edition coffee table book authored by Levenson, , Dear Evan Hansen: through the window (Grand Central Publishing / Melcher) is now available, offering an in-depth, all-access look at the musical, including never- before-seen production photos and cast portraits, behind-the- scenes stories, and a fully annotated script by the authors.

In addition to winning six 2017 Tony awards® and a 2018 Grammy Award®, DEAR EVAN HANSEN has won numerous other awards, including the 2017 for Outstanding Musical Production and for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a , and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is also the winner of the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards three years running, and was just proclaimed the Best Long-Running Show and the Best Touring Production in the 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN, produced by Stacey Mindich, features scenic design by , projection design by , costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by . Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Danny Mefford is the choreographer. Casting byTara Rubin Casting/Xavier Rubiano. Sash Bischoff, Adam Quinn and Danny Sharron are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor. US General Management 101 Productions.

Performance schedule for DEAR EVAN HANSEN at the Music Hall

Tuesday, October 15th – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16th – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 17th – 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 18th – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 19th – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 19th – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 20th – 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 20th – 6:30 p.m.

Please Note: BroadwayInKC.com, Ticketmaster.com, and the Music Hall box office are the only official sources for tickets to the shows in the 2019–20 SABATES EYE CENTERS KANSAS CITY BROADWAY SERIES. If you purchase tickets through another source, you may pay inflated prices and your tickets will not be guaranteed.

Become a fan of the Sabates Eye Center’s Kansas City Broadway Series on Facebook, & Instagram.

The 2019–20 SABATES EYE CENTERS KANSAS CITY BROADWAY SERIES is welcomed by Hotel Phillips.

CAST BIOS

Stephen Christopher Anthony (Evan Hansen) is honored to be sharing Evan with audiences across the country. Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Evan u/s), (Ensemble, McKinley u/s). National Tour: Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale Jr). NYC/Regional favorites: I Am Harvey Milk (Lincoln Center, ft. Andrew Lippa and Kristin Chenoweth), York Theatre Honors (ft. Bernadette Peters), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, , Carousel. Florida State University BM Music Theatre. Love to the DEH team, BRS/Gage, Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano, Mom, Dad, Ryan, Cameron. Follow along @_stephenanthony. www.stephenchristopheranthony.com

Stephanie La Rochelle (Zoe Murphy) is absolutely thrilled to be joining the National Tour after making her Mirvish debut with Toronto company. Previous theatre credits include: (Theatre Aquarius); A Different Kind of Job (Theatre Aquarius Workshop). Selected TV/Film credits include “Heartland” (CBC); “Backstage” (Disney Channel); 1st Runner Up – “Over the Rainbow” (CBC); “In The Dark” (CW); “Copper” (BBC);The Preacher’s Sin; Zombie@17 (Lifetime); Played (BlackPills); Satisfaction ( CTV). Stephanie is a Canadian Country Music Association Award nominated singer-songwriter. Huge thanks to the team at Dear Evan Hansen, The Talent House, and Stephanie Gorin for this incredible experience, and her wonderful parents for their outstanding support. You will be found. Let’s erase the stigma. www.stephlarochelle.com @steph_larochelle

Jessica Sherman (Heidi Hansen). US debut. Born in Toronto, Jessica studied singing at UWO before moving to England to study acting at RCSSD. UK-based credits includeRock ‘n’ Roll (Duke of York’s),A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Japan), Batman Live (World Arena Tour), Lend Me A Tenor (Vienna’s English Theatre), John and Jen (Guildford Fringe Theatre), and The Sound of Music (UK Tour). Toronto credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Royal Alexandra), Heart of Winter (Storefront), Rumspringa Break (Next Stage), The Last Party and The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Toronto Fringe). Film credits include Le Dindon (Cinéfrance). Huge thanks to her family (chosen and born), 3G+, NCA and JBR, and M.R. for the beginning. @Jessica_like _the_tank

Claire Rankin (Cynthia Murphy). Originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Claire started her career as a dancer with The Charlottetown Festival performing a Canadian National Tour of Anne of Green Gables. She then spent four seasons with the Stratford Shakespearean Festival in such roles as Miranda (The Tempest) Katherine (Loves Labour’s Lost) Luce (The Knight of the Burning Pestle) and Louise (Carousel). After a stint as Cossette (Les Miserables) and Juliet (Romeo & Juliet), Claire turned her talents to film and television. During 15 years of living in Los Angeles, she’s worked with the likes of Aaron Sorkin, Tony Shalhoub, Kevin Costner, Jessica Chastain, Denzel Washington, Famke Jansen and Dick van Dyke (whom she had the pleasure of singing with between takes!) She has over 50 recurring/guest star roles on such series as “Rogue,” “Taken,” “The Mentalist,” “Quantico,” “House,” “Monk,” “Charmed,” and “Suits.” Favorite film roles includeMolly’s Game, The Swap, One of Our Own, In Quiet Night and Root of the Problem (being released in 2020). After studying wine at the Professional Culinary Institute in California, Claire is also a Certified Sommelier with the Court of the Master Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators.

Noah Kieserman (Connor Murphy) is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program. Former u/s for Evan, Jared, and Connor during DEH’s first year on the road. Regional: (CRT); Grease (Wagon Wheel). An avid writer as well, Noah’s musical SHEL has been developed in numerous cities across the country. A big thank you to his family, Harden Curtis, MM, and all of his outstanding professors/mentors for their support. Go Blue! Instagram: @nbkieserman

John Hemphill (Larry Murphy). Broadway: , Mamma Mia!. National Tour: Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night- Time. Mamma Mia!, Off Broadway Admissions (Lincoln Center) Film: David Fincher’s Zodiac. TV: “Billions,” “House of Cards”, “Mr. Robot,” “The Blacklist,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Castle.” Special thanks to the Dear Evan Hansen Family, Tara Rubin, and especially to my parents and my beautiful wife Jenn.

Alessandro Costentini (Jared Kleinman). Born and raised in Sudbury, ON, Canada, Alessandro joins the National Tour after playing the role of Jared Kleinman in the Canadian Company of Dear Evan Hansen, for which we was nominated for a 2019 Dora Award for Best Featured Performance in Musical. Alessandro is the co-founder and Artistic Director of YES Theatre in Sudbury, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. Select Credits include:Hair , Rent, Spring Awakening, JCS, Hairspray, Merrily We Roll Along (YES Theatre), Prom Queen – World Premiere (SEGAL Centre, META nomination Outstanding Lead Performance), Pasek and Paul’s James and the Giant Peach (YPT, Canadian Premiere). Select Directing Credits include: YES Theatre – ’s Violet (Canadian Premiere), Billy Elliot, , (Musical Stage Company-Assistant Director). We don’t all the privilege to do this as professionals. Please support your local arts community and youth! My Love and Thanks to my family, YES, dear friends, Talent House, The DEH family… and legit anyone I’ve ever met. I’d like to dedicate my work in this production to the tremendous Canadian Company of DEH. Insta: @alessandro1028

Ciara Alyse Harris (Alana Beck) is OVERJOYED to become your closest acquaintance! A Miami Florida native, and recent graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM), her credits include Lorraine, (All Shook Up, The Muny), Mary (JCS, CCM,) and Eve (Children of Eden, CCM). She thanks her family for always believing in her, HCKR, and the good Lord for always working in mysterious ways! @ciaraalyse.

Sam Primack (Evan Hansen alternate). Phoenix, AZ native. The Addams Family national tour (Pugsley Addams), 2017 Jimmy Award finalist. Thanks to Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano and the entire DEH team. Grateful for amazing friends, teachers and his incredibly supportive family. @samprimack

Linedy Genao is thrilled to be joining theDear Evan Hansen family and making her First National Tour debut! Broadway: On Your Feet!(Original Broadway cast) Regional: Passing Through (Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre), (Lyric Opera of and Barrington Stage), Havana Music Hall (Miami’s Actors’ Playhouse), A Taste of Things to Come(Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse), (Olney Theatre Center). Education: BA in Business Administration from UCONN. Heartfelt thank you to my friends, Tara Rubin casting, my rep team and House J. Y con amor a mi familia, para siempre. IG/Twitter: @linedygenao

David Jeffery is thrilled to remain in the DEH family! Born and raised in southern Alberta; select regional credits: Rent (Roger), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Next to Normal (Gabe) and Newsies (Jack). Special thanks to the entire creative team! Much love to Mom, Dad, Janine, Faith, and every dog, ever. Instagram: david_jeffery

Matthew Edward Kemp is thrilled to be making his Equity and National Tour Debut! Matthew is a graduate of The University of Michigan, BFA Musical Theatre. Endless thanks to the whole DEH family. Love to my family and friends who constantly support me! @Matthewtheginger

Asher Muldoon. Professional debut! Thrilled to be a part of the DEH family. Lots of love to Nancy Carson, Kim Pedell, Kristen Caesar, Justin Reamy, and my Kidz Theater, Triangle, and real life families. Composer/Lyricist of The Butcher Boy, a new musical. Princeton 2021.

Coleen Sexton is so grateful to be in the the DEH family! Broadway: Jekyll and Hyde/Lucy (on recording with David Hasselhoff). Tour: /Elphaba, /Brooke Wyndham, Chicago. Off Broadway: Forever Dusty. Regional: End of the Rainbow/”Judy Garland,” Mamma Mia/ “Donna,” / “Lady of the Lake,” Paper Mill, North Shore, Ogunquit, Gateway, Lyric. TV: “Law and Order.” Thanks to Tara Rubin casting and to GB Management!!

Daniel Robert Sullivan appeared more than 1000 times as Tommy DeVito in , performing with the Las Vegas, Toronto, & touring companies. He also appeared in the national tour of Motown the Musical. He’s the author of a theatrical memoir, Becoming a Jersey Boy, and an award-winning play, Prospect High: Brooklyn. @DanielRobertSullivan

Kelsey Venter. Thrilled to be making her National Tour debut with Dear Evan Hansen. Regional credits include: Guthrie Theater, American Conservatory Theater, Old Globe Theater. BA in Theater from SDSU, MFA American Conservatory Theater. All my love and gratitude to Mom & Dad, Beca & Tim, Gramps and the fam, and every one of my incredible friends and mentors for believing in me. www.kelseyventer.com

Maria Wirries is a recent graduate from the musical theater program at Penn State. She most recently was seen in the Broadway revival workshop of on This Island. Other theater credits include: The Artist Series’ Hot and Cole, Penn State School of Theater’s Be More Chill, Sweet Charity, Hair, , and The Players Theater’s Master Class. She also performs solo cabarets and often collaborates with the Sarasota Orchestra on their Master Works series. Maria has a huge appreciation for new work and has performed newly commissioned pieces by composers and artists James Grant, Dick Hyman, Alex Rybeck, Sheridan Seyfried. This last fall at Penn State she participated in a commission project of a new theater piece written by Mike Reid and Sarah Schlesinger. As well as participating in the world premiere of Love in Hate Nation, a Joe Iconis musical. Maria also writes her own songs that can be heard on her SoundCloud account.

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com and Group Sales Box Office. Led by 14-time Tony® Award-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 45 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s , WICKED, THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and . Current and past productions include AIN’T TOO PROUD, BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical, , CHICAGO, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, MEAN GIRLS, MOULIN ROUGE! and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

The American Theatre Guild, a 501(c)(3) organization and the largest not-for-profit touring Broadway Presenter in the nation, supports Broadway seasons in twelve markets including Birmingham, AL; Colorado Springs, CO; Eugene, OR; Kansas City, MO; Lubbock, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Riverside, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; South Bend, IN; Thousand Oaks, CA; Toledo, OH; and Wichita, KS. The American Theatre Guild is dedicated to providing the experience of live theater in order to foster , inspire creativity and empower youth within each community.