Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features the vocal selections score for Dear Evan Hansen. Thanks, Marissa!
Premiering on Broadway in 2016, Dear Evan Hansen is a musical about Evan Hansen, a high school senior in therapy for social anxiety and depression. As an exercise, his therapist tells him to write a letter to himself about his feelings going into the first day of school. The musical also centers around Connor Murphy, another high school senior battling depression. On the first day of senior year, Evan and Connor bump into each other, and Connor ends up taking Evan’s letter. Later that same day, Connor sadly ends his own life, with Evan’s letter still in his pocket. Connor’s family later reads this letter thinking Evan must have been Connor’s best friend, and Evan goes along with it instead of telling the truth. Through classic songs like “Sincerely, Me” and “You Will Be Found“, Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of just how big a single lie can get, while also raising awareness for teen mental health and suicide.
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Alex Lacamoire are responsible for bringing this world to life through their musical talents. Their music has been heard off and on-Broadway, on tours, and even in a musical movie. If you would like to learn how to sing these coming-of-age pieces through sheet music, you can check this item out now from the Parsons Music Library.