‘Dear Evan Hansen’ tells a fictional story of suicide. But its actors field messages from very real people in crisis
Alex Boniello knew the kind of fan mail he might get when he joined the Broadway cast of “Dear Evan Hansen,” the hit musical that revolves around teen suicide and severe social anxiety.
There were, of course, the usual letters from high school students who want to make it to Broadway and young fans who profess a crush. But he knew there would be messages, too, from fans who wanted to open up about their own mental health issues, including some who shared thoughts about suicide. He’d gotten some when he portrayed Moritz in “Spring Awakening.” And now, as Connor, he gets a flood.
