![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/720\/2021\/09\/dearevanhansen2.jpg\")
Chbosky, who first gained prominence with his novel and film \u201cThe Perks of Being a Wallflower,\u201d seems uniquely qualified to helm the adaptation, having written screenplays for the live-action \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d and the musical \u201cRent.\u201d \u201cDear Evan Hansen,\u201d weaving undertones of high school bullying, depression, and suicide, seems like a more mature follow-up to his last feature, \u201cWonder,\u201d which focused on Auggie, a ten-year-old living with a medical facial deformity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have a lot of empathy,\u201d Chbosky explained when asked how he\u2019s able to slip into the mindset of the socially alienated, such as Auggie, Evan Hansen, or Evan\u2019s confidant Zoe Murphy (Kaitlyn Dever). \u201cFor whatever reason, I was raised to fundamentally respect to all people and to try to understand their points of view of the world, whether I agree with them or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
If it sounds like the director has something in common with another resident of Pittsburgh, it\u2019s very intentional. Chbosky was greatly influenced by a man he considers \u201cone of my greatest heroes,\u201d the late children\u2019s television host Fred Rogers, who he watched show love and compassion to all, regardless of their age or background.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, on the lookout for a new project, the director first saw the stage musical of \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d and fell in love with the writing, which he thought was surprisingly \u201cunsentimental.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt went to some dark places sometimes, and then it was funny,\u201d he said. \u201cI just thought it was a great, genuinely great musical. And original. I\u2019d never seen anything quite like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to Platt and Dever, the film also boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Amandla Stenberg, Nik Dodani, Colton Ryan, Danny Pino, Julianne Moore, and Amy Adams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lovely moment where Julianne Moore sings \u2018So Big\/So Small, that song kills me,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s so lovely. And what Amy Adams does with Cynthia, such a complicated performance about grief, I can relate to that. I also relate deeply to Larry brilliantly played by Danny Pino. Here\u2019s this man that is all stoic. He\u2019s withdrawn because he feels like he has to be strong for his family. And it\u2019s making him emotionally remote. When he breaks, oh, my God, it\u2019s so powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan, who plays Connor, Evan\u2019s counterpart and \u201cfriend,\u201d also drew high praise.<\/p>\n
\u201cColton gives this remarkable performance where he basically plays three versions of Connor. And that\u2019s really tricky to pull off, to play this volatile, real kid, and then to play this almost absurd fantasy idea of what a bromance friendship is, and \u2014I can\u2019t give away the ending \u2014but then to play this tender side that we see, it\u2019s a remarkably textured performance. He was a real discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
After going into seeing the musical sight unseen, Chbosky soon saw \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d as a possible companion piece for \u201cThe Perks of Being a Wallflower.\u201d That breakout 2009 novel and 2012 film adaptation generated many letters from young people who connected emotionally to that story.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t even tell you how many letters I\u2019ve received over the years, from young people that were genuinely touched, their lives changed, sometimes saved, because of their understanding, their relationship to this piece of art,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve spoken to Ben Platt, I have spoken to (writers) Pasek Paul, and Steven Levinson, the screenwriter, they have received letters too. It\u2019s that kind of story that people find a lot of hope, comfort, and inspiration in. It seemed like a natural fit and I wanted to put something good into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The world needs that kind of message, he believes, as it continues to grapple with highly charged divisions and emotions spawned by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I give people a pass right now, they\u2019ve been cooped up for like a year and a half,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt is a very volatile time. We see it in everything. Knives are out for everything all the time. People are divided about nearly everything. I\u2019m just trying to do whatever small part I can do to help unite folks, and hopefully give them some comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d is now playing in theaters. Watch the \u201cReel Faith\u201d interview with Steven Chbosky below.<\/p>\n