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Darion Dewhirst, UAB Senior and Evan in Red Mountain Theatre's Dear Evan Hansen — Darion Dewhirst is playing Evan in Red Mountain Theatre’s “Dear Evan Hansen.” (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

One of my favorite Broadway musicals is the Tony Award-winning “Dear Evan Hansen.” I remember seeing it for the first time and being in awe of the way the dialogue and soundtrack portrayed real-life scenarios like growing up in the age of social media and the universal need to find acceptance.

But now, “Dear Evan Hansen” is coming a little closer to home. Red Mountain Theatre and UAB Department of Theatre are bringing it to Birmingham, April 3-19 (and you can get your tickets now with a special discount code we arranged just for you: NOWSAVE7).

I sat down with UAB Senior Darion Dewhirst, and he told me all about playing his dream role as Evan, lessons he’s learned from the character and what you can take away from this show.

“Dear Evan Hansen” tells a story of authenticity + acceptance

All his life, Evan Hansen felt invisible. When a tragic event shocks the community, Evan’s choices (and lies) leave him at the center of it all. As he works through teenage confusion, grief and pressures of the online world, it unravels into a story of acceptance.

Even through the tough topics “Dear Evan Hansen” covers—high school drama, the desire to feel wanted, single motherhood or loneliness, grief—there’s something that everyone can relate to.

The musical won a Tony Award in 2015, and now, it’s at Red Mountain Theatre for the first time. Darion Dewhirst, playing Evan, is at the helm of this beautiful story, and the significance of the role is not lost on him.

Playing Evan is a dream come true for UAB senior Darion Dewhirst

Darion Dewhirst has loved theatre and performing for most of his life. His first show was “Phantom Tollbooth” in the fifth grade.

“Turns out I really like attention. Being on stage is nerve-racking, but at the same time, it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt in my skin.”
Darion Dewhirst, Evan in Red Mountain Theatre’s “Dear Evan Hansen”

Darion’s favorite roles have been Monte Navarro in “The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and Speed in Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona” at UAB, and he’s ready to add Evan Hansen to the list.

“I’ve never been so ‘dropped in’ the way that I was for Evan. It was raw, vulnerable and the most honest I’ve been in front of a casting table. I really put my heart on the line.

I knew that this was my dream. If I didn’t get it, I was proud of the work I did either way. But here we are, and it’s a dream come true.”
Darion Dewhirst, Evan in Red Mountain Theatre’s “Dear Evan Hansen”

See “Dear Evan Hansen” at Red Mountain Theatre

When: Friday, April 3-Sunday, April 19
- Wednesday-Saturday: 7:30PM
- Saturday + Sunday matinees: 2PM
Where: Red Mountain Theatre’s Cromwell Theatre, 1600 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Who: Recommended for ages 13+ (Contains adult language and themes of suicide, drug abuse, depression, self-harm, bullying)
Cost: $40+
Get tickets now + use promo code NOWSAVE7 for $7 off your purchase

You are not alone!

Even through a heavy message, “Dear Evan Hansen” really is a show about hope. While we’re human and can feel lonely at times, we can find encouragement in knowing that we’re not alone.

If you’re needing a little extra boost from your community, check out a few Birmingham organizations:

“It really is a matter of finding community in your life. That’s the biggest thing we can do as humans, really. We can feel like so many things are against us, but when we reach out and find community, like how I did with theater, you can discover so many new things about yourself.”
Darion Dewhirst, Evan in Red Mountain Theatre’s “Dear Evan Hansen”

Will I see you at Red Mountain Theatre’s “Dear Evan Hansen,” April 3-19? Get your tickets today using discount code NOWSAVE7!

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