Cast Features Newcomer Kyle Dalsimer and Broadway Vets Donna Vivino, Andrew Samonsky
[SALT LAKE CITY, UT OCTOBER 3, 2025] — Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC), Utah’s premier professional theatre company in residence at the University of Utah, presents the Utah premiere of Dear Evan Hansen at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre from October 24-November 8. Winner of six Tony Awards, the musical features a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Evan Hansen has always felt like he’s on the outside looking in, his severe anxiety making it hard to connect. But when tragedy strikes his community, he unexpectedly finds himself at the heart of a growing misunderstanding—one that offers him a chance to reinvent himself. Dear Evan Hansen, winner of both Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical, is a deeply moving and timely coming-of-age story about vulnerability and the longing for connection.
“The story of Dear Evan Hansen is even more timely today than when it first premiered—especially in regard to the hold that social media has on our culture, especially youth culture. The show’s themes of connection and belonging resonate deeply in the world we live in now,” said PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg. “It truly is an honor to work on this production with this incredible group of artists whose talent ensures our audiences will experience this landmark musical at its very best.”
CAST & CREATIVE
Leading the cast is PTC newcomer Kyle Dalsimer* (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ivoryton Playhouse, Ride the Cyclone at Arena Stage) as Evan Hansen. He is joined by PTC alumni Jordan Briggs* (PTC’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Hart Theatre Company’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane) as Connor Murphy and Khadija Sankoh* (PTC’s recent insider reading of Ten Brave Seconds, Off-Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors) as Alana Beck.
Making their PTC debuts are Marika Aubrey* (Royal Shakespeare Company’s Australian production of Matilda the Musical, Lincoln Center’s South Pacific at Sydney Opera House) as Cynthia Murphy; Elyse Bell* (Don’t Say Good Luck on Netflix, Queens on ABC) as Zoe Murphy; Andrew Samonsky* (Broadway’s Lempika, The Mystery of Edwin Drood) as Larry Murphy; Larry Saperstein* (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+) as Jared Kleinman; and Donna Vivino* (Broadway’s Wicked, Young Cosette in the original cast of Les Misérables) as Heidi Hansen.
Rounding out the company are ensemble and virtual community members Rachel Johnson and Adam Moore. Additionally, a digital-only virtual community will be comprised of Mary Fanning Driggs*, Nathan Andrew Riley*, Ariana Bagley, Kaden Conrad, and Hannah Rich.
Karen Azenberg, who recently kicked off her 14th season as PTC Artistic Director, directs and choreographs Dear Evan Hansen. She is joined on the Creative Team by Musical Director/Conductor Helen Gregory (PTC’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Rocky Horror Show); Scenic & Video Designer Bryce Cutler (PTC’s Prayer for the French Republic, Bonnie & Clyde); Costume Designer Patrick Holt (PTC’s Waitress; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812); Lighting Designer Paul Miller (PTC’s Waitress; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812); Sound Designer Aaron Hubbard (PTC’s Jersey Boys; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812); Hair & Makeup Designer Savanna Finley (West Valley Arts’ Alice by Heart, Puffs); Associate Director/Choreographer Maggie Scott; and Video Engineer Adam Day. James O. Hansen is Production Stage Manager. Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA.
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP
As part of its commitment to producing theatre with care and authenticity, Pioneer Theatre Company has partnered with the University of Utah School Mental Health Collaborative for this production. Mental health experts from the Collaborative will conduct a series of workshops with the cast of Dear Evan Hansen, guiding them in the sensitive portrayal of the story’s complex themes. In addition, the partnership provides a direct line of communication for the actors throughout the run of the show, ensuring ongoing support as they bring this important story to life.
“At the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative, we are thrilled to partner with Pioneer Theatre Company in support of Dear Evan Hansen. This production highlights themes of isolation, connection, and hope that resonate deeply with the work we do every day in Utah schools,” said USMHC Program Director Sean Weeks, Ph.D. “Working with the cast, providing mental health resources, and coordinating ways to engage with the community ensures that the story connects with the lived experiences of many Utahns. We are always excited to find ways to work together within the University of Utah and are honored to collaborate with PTC in bringing both artistry and awareness together on stage.”
The partnership will culminate with a special community conversation titled “Strength in Connection: A Conversation About Mental Health in a Hyperconnected World.” The event will take place on Saturday, November 8 at 4:45 PM, following the matinee performance of Dear Evan Hansen. This community conversation is free to the public and will feature:
- Moderator Aaron Fischer, PhD BCBA, Professor at the School of Psychology in the College of Education, Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, and Executive Director of the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative.
and Panelists:
Olivia Holter, PhD, Assistant Professor (Clinical) and Child and Adolescent Psychologist in the University Developmental Assessment Clinics and the West High School Clinic.
- Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of the Utah Office of Families, Salt Lake County Council Member, and member of the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council.
- Karen Manotas, MD, Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Services at West High School Clinic, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Utah School Mental Health Director of School Based Psychiatry.
TICKETS
Dear Evan Hansen plays Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre from October 24-November 8, 2025. Tickets are now on sale at PioneerTheatre.org or by calling the PTC Box Office at 801-581-6961.
A limited number of Curtain Call for All (“name your own price”) tickets will be available for each performance of Dear Evan Hansen. These tickets, which go on sale starting Monday, October 20, start at a minimum suggested price of $15 and can be purchased by visiting or calling the PTC Box Office at 801-581-6961.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRESS CONTACT
Joshua Black
Director of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
INTERVIEWS: Theatre staff, members of the cast, and creative team can be made available for interviews. Please contact Joshua Black to arrange.
TICKETING INFORMATION
Dear Evan Hansen
Book by Steven Levenson
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Dear Evan Hansen is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
WHEN
October 24-November 8, 2025
TIMES
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM
Saturday, 2:00 PM
WHERE
Dear Evan Hansen will be performed at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre.
300 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City
PRICES
$57 – $83
Students K – 12 or ages 5-18 are half-price Monday – Thursday
- Curtain Call for All (“name your own price”) performances: October 24-November 8, 2025. Curtain Call for All tickets for Dear Evan Hansen will be available starting Monday, October 20 at 10:00 AM.
- ASL-Interpreted performances: Monday, November 3 at 7:00 PM and Thursday, November 6 at 7:00 PM
Discounts are also available for University of Utah students, staff, and faculty. Visit PioneerTheatre.org/UniversityofUtah for more details.
MORE INFO
The PTC Box Office is located in Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre: 300 S 1400 E.
Box Office: 801-581-6961
Open 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday – Friday
PTC Show Listing: Dear Evan Hansen
CAST
Cynthia Murphy — MARIKA AUBREY*
Zoe Murphy — ELYSE BELL*
Connor Murphy — JORDAN BRIGGS*
Evan Hansen — KYLE DALSIMER*
Larry Murphy — ANDREW SAMONSKY*
Alana Beck — KHADIJA SANKOH*
Jared Kleinman — LARRY SAPERSTEIN*
Heidi Hansen — DONNA VIVINO*
Ensemble — RACHEL JOHNSON, ADAM MOORE
Virtual Community Voices — MARY FANNING DRIGGS*, NATHAN ANDREW RILEY*, ARIANA BAGLEY, KADEN CONRAD, RACHEL JOHNSON, ADAM MOORE, HANNAH RICH
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Choreographer: KAREN AZENBERG
Musical Director & Conductor: HELEN GREGORY
Scenic & Video Designer: BRYCE CUTLER
Costume Designer: PATRICK HOLT
Lighting Designer: PAUL MILLER
Sound Designer: AARON HUBBARD
Hair & Makeup Designer: SAVANNA FINLEY
Video Engineer: ADAM DAY
Associate Director/Choreographer: MAGGIE SCOTT
Production Stage Manager: JAMES O. HANSEN*
Casting by GEOFF JOSSELSON, CSA
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ABOUT PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY (PTC)
Now celebrating its 64th season, the award-winning PTC is Utah’s premiere professional theatre company and a leading arts organization of the West. Led by Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Managing Director Adrian Budhu, PTC presents world-class productions that celebrate diversity in culture and society, and serve as the connecting bridge between art and scholarship as an affiliate of the University of Utah. Notable productions include the regional premieres of Les Misérables, Sting’s The Last Ship, and Frank Wildhorn’s The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as the world premieres of Shucked (the first-ever Broadway tryout in Utah), A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, The Messenger by Jeff Talbott, and Ass by Ellen Simon. For more information, visit PioneerTheatre.org.
