Zachary Noah Piser steps into the title role of the Tony-winning Dear Evan Hansen beginning May 17 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre. Piser, who has been part of the Dear Evan Hansen family since March 2019 and was most recently the Evan alternate, becomes the first Asian-American actor to play the role full-time. He is scheduled to perform in the show through August 7.
“Being the first Asian-American actor to tell Evan’s story means everything to me, and I hope this milestone allows any and all AAPI folks to feel seen, heard, and valued,” Piser said. “And to start my run in May, a month dedicated to celebrating so many parts of my identity—AAPI Heritage, Jewish Heritage, and Mental Health Awareness—is the cherry on top!”
Piser stars opposite Talia Simone Robinson, who became the first Black actor to play the role of Zoe Murphy beginning May 1.
The company also includes Jessica Phillips, Christiane Noll, David Jeffery, Manoel Felciano, Jared Goldsmith, and Phoebe Koyabe, with Linedy Genao, Nathan Levy, Mateo Lizcano, Dan Macke, Jane Pfitsch, D’Kaylah Unique Whitley, Asa Somers, Josh Strobl, and Nicole Van Giesen.
Following Piser’s run, Stephen Christopher Anthony, who currently plays the lead in the North American tour, will join the Broadway company as Evan beginning August 9. Sam Primack, who made his Broadway debut as an Evan cover, will take over the role beginning September 6.
READ: Checking In With… Dear Evan Hansen Star Zachary Noah Piser
Dear Evan Hansen reopened its Broadway production December 11, 2020, following the pandemic shutdown. The hit production features a score by the Tony- and Oscar-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dogfight, A Christmas Story), a book by Tony winner Steven Levenson (tick, tick...BOOM! movie), choreography by Danny Mefford (Fun Home), and direction by multiple Tony nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal, If/Then).
The musical also features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations, and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the associate music supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting's Kevin Metzger-Timson.
Dear Evan Hansen began previews at the Music Box November 14, 2016, prior to an official opening December 4. The musical was nominated for nine 2017 Tony Awards, winning six: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Ben Platt), Best Featured Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Rachel Bay Jones), and Best Orchestrations.
The London production of Dear Evan Hansen reopened at the Noël Coward Theatre October 26, 2021. The national tour resumed December 7 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Dear Evan Hansen film premiered in September 2021. Platt reprised his Tony-winning performance in the title role opposite Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Danny Pino, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Colton Ryan, and Nik Dodani.
