Authors: Annette Hinkle and Hope Hamilton
27east’s review calls Bay Street’s staging a beautifully complex production that arrives at Sag Harbor fully assured after its Ridgefield run. The critics note the cast understood the assignment from the outset, with the confidence of the performers evident right from the start. The piece walks through the show’s intricate plot — Evan’s fabricated friendship with Connor Murphy and the spiraling consequences — while praising how clearly and movingly the small cast brings it to life. 27east
The performances draw the strongest notices. Kenny Lee is described as utterly shining as Evan, playing the overwhelmed character with masterful technique, endearing humor, and fearlessness while carrying the show musically and rarely leaving the stage. Maya Days is called a class act whose poise, grace, and Broadway and West End experience produce an authentic, well-rounded Heidi. The review singles out the comedic number “Sincerely Me” as the show’s best and most fun, and highlights Josh Hoyt’s Jared for comic timing that lands laughs despite the dark subject matter. 27east27east
The critics also credit the design team — the Swader brothers’ set with Camilla Tassi’s projections — for magnifying Schwartz’s vision through a backdrop of windows that cleverly renders phone calls, videos, and social media. They note Schwartz’s choice to reveal the eight-person band at curtain call, a rare view at Bay Street. The review closes on the idea that even at an intimate scale, the production’s tender heart proves the best things can come from a little reinvention. 27east
Bay Street’s “Dear Evan Hansen,” though presented on a smaller and more intimate scale than its Broadway predecessor, proves that its tender heart and utter charm win out. 27east
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