Jordan Fisher Is Broadway's Next Evan Hansen
Rent: Live star and Hamilton performer Jordan Fisher is about to take on another iconic Broadway role: the titular Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen. The Tony-winning show, which opened on Broadway in 2016 and has become a major fan favorite, is about a teen boy struggling with this mental health who gets wrapped up in a lie that turns into something a lot bigger than he is.
The show announced Jordan's casting on Twitter with a short video of the actor talking about how excited he is to be part of the show. "You know when you're going out and you get dressed and you put that new pair of shoes on, or that new jacket on, everything feels different? It's the same thing when you put your wardrobe on. All of a sudden, it becomes very real," Jordan says in the video. "I'll never forget the first time I saw Dear Evan Hansen. It pierced me with truth, and with honesty, and with integrity. That is the foundation of this story that I'm so excited to help be a part of telling."
Dear Evan Hansen is a homecoming of sorts for Jordan, who played John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in Hamilton in 2016. "I’m beyond honored to return to Broadway and climb this mountain of a role every night," Jordan added in an Instagram post. Jordan adds that he's still getting to know the character of Evan, and figuring out how he'll bring him to life onstage starting January 28, 2020. "As a fan of the show, there are definitely a lot of elements of Evan that I can grab onto as I learn Evan, as I get to know him, as we get close. I think it's going to be a journey," he said.
There have been a number of performers who have taken on the Broadway role of Evan Hansen. Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt won a Tony in 2017 for his performance. Jordan will be replacing current star Andrew Barth Feldman, whose last performance will be on January 26. According to Broadway.com, the current Evan cover is Roman Banks, who was the first actor of color to play the role on Broadway. But Jordan will be the first person of color to play Broadway's Evan full-time.
The 25-year-old is not the only one who's excited about his new role. Fans flooded Twitter to celebrate the big news. "We're getting a black Evan in 2020!!!! I'd scream but my roommate is studying. I'm so happy!!!! Jordan is perfect for this and he's going to kill it," wrote one. "I’m not being dramatic when I say this is the happiest day of my life," added another. "i was not at all ready to receive this information. the way i had to suppress my scream in class rn is ridiculous oh my GOD," tweeted another fan.
If these tweets are any indication, you may want to try snagging your tickets to Jordan's run in Dear Evan Hansen like, now.
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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
