Licensing house Music Theatre International (MTI) has announced that the musical “Dear Evan Hansen” is now available for licensing. MTI previously announced its acquisition of these licensing rights in February 2022.
“Dear Evan Hansen” premiered with Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in 2015, bowed Off-Broadway with Second Stage in 2016 and officially opened on Broadway on Dec. 4, 2016. It played 21 previews and 1,672 performances at the Music Box Theatre before closing on Sep. 18, 2022.
With a book by Steven Levenson and a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the musical tells the story of Evan, a lonely and awkward high-school senior. When a tragedy occurs, Evan finds himself at the center of it. He tells a lie that spins out of control but also helps him find friends he never thought he could have. The show confronts ideas of grief, loneliness, belonging and morality.
“Dear Evan Hansen” was nominated for nine 2017 Tony Awards, winning six: best featured actress for Rachel Bay Jones, best leading actor for Ben Platt, Best Orchestrations for Alex Lacamoire, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre for Pasek and Paul, Best Book of a Musical for Levenson and Best Musical.
The original Broadway cast recording, released by Atlantic Records in 2017, debuted on the Billboard 200. It later won Best Musical Theater Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. “Dear Evan Hansen” was adapted into a 2021 feature film as well as a 2018 young adult novel by Val Emmich in collaboration with Levenson, Pasek and Paul.
“‘Dear Evan Hansen’ holds a special place in the hearts of so many theatergoers, including me,” said president and CEO of MTI Drew Cohen in a statement. “This story resonated with so many audience members and performers during its award-winning run on Broadway. Everyone at MTI is looking forward to delivering the show’s incredible brand of laughter and tears around the world.”
“We are thrilled that groups and theaters across the country and around the world will have a chance to bring the show to their communities,” said Levenson, Pasek and Paul in a joint statement. “We hope Evan’s story continues to inspire and ignite conversation with new audiences, and we can’t wait to see how directors, actors and designers put their own stamp on ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’”
MTI is a leading theatrical licensing firm. The company recently announced the licensing availability of “Come From Away,” which opened in the same season as “Dear Evan Hansen.” MTI has also recently acquired the rights to “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Shucked.”
