HIT MUSICAL DEAR EVAN HANSEN UNVEILS STELLAR ALL-SOUTH AFRICAN CAST
Showtime Management and How Now Brown Cow Productions are proud to present the South African premiere production of the Tony Award-Winning (Best Musical) DEAR EVAN HANSEN, featuring a superb South African cast, at Artscape, Cape Town from 12 February to 9 March 2025 and then at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg from 15 March to 13 April 2025. Tickets are on sale at www.showtime.co.za or hownowbrowncow.co.za.
The cast features a mix of exciting new talent and established stars, ready to bring Evan Hansen’s compelling story to life in this original production of a musical that offers an empowering experience for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, ‘always looking in’.
The coveted role of Evan Hansen will be played by Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winner Stuart Brown (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, Defending The Gay Man), a 2021 graduate of the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA) in Cape Town, who joins the ranks of Ben Platt and Sam Tutty in filling Evan’s shoes. Brown comments, “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.”
Heidi Hansen is played by actress, singer and voice artist Lucy Tops (The Rocky Horror Show, Kinky Boots, Funny Girl). National School Of The Arts alumnus Justin Swartz (West Side Story, Janice Honeyman’s Jack And The Beanstalk, The Afterlife Of The Party) features as Jared Kleinman alongside Ntshikeng Matooane (MAMMA MIA!) as Alana Beck. Singer-songwriter Keely Crocker makes her professional debut as Zoe Murphy and Michael Stray (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Dead At The Box Office, Abraham Lincoln) stars as Connor Murphy. Renowned television, film, and musical theatre stars Sharon Spiegel-Wagner (Hairspray, Grease, Witness For The Prosecution) and Charlie Bouguenon (Jersey Boys, Sweeney Todd, Fame) complete the Dear Evan Hansen cast as Cynthia Murphy and Larry Murphy.
Resident Director Shelley Lothian (Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Boys In The Photograph, Cabaret) also serves as Female Swing 1, joined by Léa Blerk (The Sound Of Music, Amadeus, Janice Honeyman’s Beauty And The Beast) as Female Swing 2, Arno Meyer (Paw Patrol, Janice Honeyman’s Jack And The Beanstalk, Hartklop) as Male Swing 1 and Kent Jeycocke (We Will Rock You, Matilda The Musical, Evita) as Male Swing 2.
Winner of six Tony Awards (including Best Musical), the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, and an Olivier Award for Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon), and a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dogfight, La La Land, The Greatest Showman).
This new and original South African premiere is a co-production between Showtime Management and How Now Brown Cow Productions.
The musical’s creative team includes Greg Karvellas (Director); Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (Musical Supervisor); Niall Griffin (Set, Lighting & Costume Designer); Kurt Haupt (Musical Director); David Classen (Sound Designer); Louisa Talbot (Choreographer) and Alistair Kilbee (Technical Director).
Director Greg Karvellas shares: “I am beyond excited to bring this incredible musical to the South African stage and to be working with such a phenomenal South African cast, featuring some of the country’s finest new and established stage talent. Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply moving story that will undoubtedly strike a chord with audiences, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Dear Evan Hansen is a powerful ‘drama musical’ that explores the human experience, focusing on themes of acceptance, mental health, and the longing for connection. It captures the highs and lows of adolescence and adulthood, as characters navigate the complexities of living in a digital world, where social media highlights both our isolation and our deep need for human connection. The production also addresses sensitive topics, including suicide. Due to mature themes and strong language, this production is not recommended for children under 12. Parental guidance is advised.
Book now at showtime.co.za, hownowbrowncow.co.za or ticketmaster.co.za. Terrific Tuesday discounts are available. Terms and conditions apply. A 20% school or block booking discount is offered on groups of 20 and more on selected shows for specific price categories. Contact sales@showtime.co.za.
###
SHOW INFORMATION
CAPE TOWN:
Venue: Artscape
Opening date: 12 February to 9 March 2025
Age: Parental guidance advised, strong adult themes and language. Recommended for children 11+ years. No children under 4 years permitted.
Performances:
Weekdays: Tuesdays, Wednesday,12 Feb and Thursdays, Fridays 8pm
Wednesdays: 19, Feb 26 Feb and 05 March, 6pm
Weekends: Saturdays 3pm, 8pm ; Sundays 2pm, 6pm.
Sunday, 16 Feb, 5pm
Ticket prices including VAT
Midweek (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sunday’s 6pm): R200, R280, R380, R450
Weekend (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm): R250, R350, R450, R500
Terrific Tuesdays Only valid for Tuesday performances:
R150, R200, R300, R400
Not valid with any other discount offer.
Bookings: showtime.co.za, hownowbrowncow.co.za
Group bookings:
20% Discount on groups of 20 and more
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday performances are only valid for the top two prices. Contact Jill Somers office hours only, 9am to 5pm, on 079 218 1658, or go to showtime.co.za.
###
JOHANNESBURG:
Venue: Montecasino’s Teatro
Opening date: 15 March to 13 April 2025
Age: Parental guidance advised, strong adult themes and language. Recommended for children 12+ years. No children under 4 years permitted.
Performances:
Weekdays: Tuesdays, Wednesday,12 Feb and Thursdays, Fridays 8pm
Wednesdays: 26 March, 02 April, 09 April: 6pm
Weekends: Saturdays 3pm, 8pm ; Sundays 2pm, 6pm.
Sunday, 16 March, 5pm
Public holiday: Friday, 21 March, 3pm
Ticket prices (including VAT):
Midweek (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays 6pm): R200, R280, R380, R450
Weekend (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm): R250, R350, R450, R500
Terrific Tuesdays Only valid for Tuesday performances:
R150, R200, R300, R400
Not valid with any other discount offer.
Bookings: showtime.co.za, ticketmaster.co.za, hownowbrowncow.co.za
Group Bookings
20% Discount on groups of 20 and more
Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday performances only valid for the top two prices. Contact Jill Somers, office hours only, 9am to 5pm, on 079 218 1658, or go to showtime.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA
#youarenotalone #DEH #DearEvanHansen #DearEvanHansenSA #WavingThroughAWindow #YouWillBeFound #BroadwayComesToSA #ItsShowtimeSA #HowNowBrownCow
Showtime Management
FB – facebook.com/showtimemanagementsa
Twitter – twitter.com/showtime_sa
Website – showtime.co.za
How Now Brown Cow Productions
Website: hownowbrowncow.co.za
Instagram: @hownowbrowncow_productions
Facebook: @hownowbrowncowproductions
TikTok: @hnbcproductions
Montecasino
Website – montecasino.co.za
Facebook – montecasino
Twitter – @montecasinoza
Artscape
FB – facebook.com/ArtscapeTheatre
Twitter – @ArtscapeTheatre
Website – artscape.co.za
