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| Michael Fabisch in the 2024-2025 National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade |
by Gil Benbrook
Winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen has captivated audiences with its deeply moving story and soaring score. The musical follows Evan, an anxious high schooler who inadvertently becomes entangled in a web of lies. With a heartfelt exploration of grief, mental health, and the longing for connection, the show has resonated with countless theatergoers since its Broadway debut in 2016.
As the national tour continues to bring this powerful story to audiences across the country, Minnesota native Michael Fabisch steps into the role of Evan, delivering a raw and emotionally charged performance.
Fabisch earned his BFA in 2024 from the University of Michigan and has already built an impressive résumé, appearing in productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, A Little Night Music, Godspell, Dogfight, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Now, as he takes on one of the most demanding roles in contemporary musical theater, Fabisch brings his own depth and authenticity to Evan’s journey for the 2024-2025 National Tour of the show, which plays Mesa Arts Center from February 28-March 2.
In between tour stops, Fabisch sat down to answer some questions and to share insights into his experience with the show, how he connects with the character, and what it means to be part of this impactful production.
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| Michael Fabisch |
Michael Fabisch: "Dear Evan Hansen is centered around Evan, a high schooler who struggles with major social anxiety and depression. In trying to help a family cope with the loss of their son, he ends up lying and digs himself into a hole he cannot get out of.
The show is ultimately about this group of people who are all dealing with intense inner turmoil who then connect with each other to heal themselves. I think the song “You Will Be Found” encapsulates the core theme of the show. You are not alone. Everyone is trying to find their own way and it may be hard but reach out to the people around you and someone will reach back. "
What initially drew you to audition for the role of Evan, and how do you prepare to take on such a challenging character?
"I have been in love with this show since high school. I have dealt and still deal with mental health issues and so this show is near and dear to my heart. It is an important show for me and I wanted to be a part of this amazing story."
As for how I prepare, I just bring in my most authentic self and trust the work I have done already. That is all you can do, you cannot read the minds of the audience. All you can do is be yourself. You are the most interesting and in-depth character that you have ever created. So why not use it?"
Evan is a deeply complex, vulnerable, and emotional character. How do you relate to Evan's journey of self-discovery? Are there personal experiences that influence your portrayal?
"I absolutely relate to Evan’s struggles. I think almost everyone can relate in some shape or form. Everyone I know struggles with not feeling good enough or feeling alone. These are common and human responses to the very overstimulating world that is the 21st century. I think social media is a double edged sword in this way. It both fosters connection and causes intense feelings of inadequacy. I also understand what is like to not know what to say or to be completely out of your comfort zone. That is where Evan lives the whole show.
I use my own experiences lightly, I do not dive into anything too sensitive because that doesn’t feel professional to me. I will not bring something onto the stage if I think it will damage my inner life. When you’re on stage, you are at your most vulnerable. That is not the time to be beating yourself up with past trauma. For some people this works but I find it ineffective for me. I focus on my scene partner and try to be as open and vulnerable with them as I can and that brings me to the mental spaces I need to be in for the show."
Several actors have played the role of Evan before you. How do you make Evan your own, while staying true to the character?
"I think the character of Evan is very vague in that anxiety can manifest in so many different ways. Some people’s anxiety is more conspicuous than others. I think it is important to not fake anxiety because it is something everyone struggles with and you can tell instantly if it isn’t authentic anxiety. You don’t want it to seem like you are making fun of people with anxiety. I don’t want to do that. I want to reflect my own experience with anxiety because that is going to be what is most relatable to the people watching the show.
My version of Evan is more subdued than others because my anxiety lies below the surface. I take the first words of “Waving Through a Window” as the core of my character. “I’ve learned to slam on the break before I even turn the key”. He has learned how to make himself as inconspicuous as possible in order to deal the immense social pressure he feels."
"Waving Through A Window" By Michael Fabisch – Dear Evan Hansen National Tour
What specific challenges have you found in performing Evan’s iconic songs, such as “Waving Through a Window” or “You Will Be Found,” night after night?
" 'Waving Through a Window' is especially hard because I am running circles around myself while belting B flats. It takes a lot of stamina and agility. But after five months of running circles around myself and belting B flats, you get used to it."
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| Michael Fabish in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee University of Michigan photo by Peter Smith |
"I really enjoyed being in all my shows in college. I was very lucky, I got a lot of big performance opportunities. Some of my favorites include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Henrik in A Little Night Music and Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."
How does playing the lead in a national tour differ from other stationary runs of shows you've done? What’s it like adapting to new audiences and venues as you tour across the country?
"This is so far removed from anything that I have ever done; it’s hard to compare it to anything else. I have never done more than twelve performances of a show before this and now I have done over 100 performances of Dear Evan Hansen. I definitely know this show more than I have known any other show. At the same time, I find that is a lot more I don’t know as well because I am constantly asking new questions and finding new answers.
The show changes every time I do it. No show is the same because no audience is the same. I also am human and come with a different perspective on the piece every night. I hit the same marks, I say the same lines, but the subtext can vary."
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| Michael Fabish in A Little Night Music University of Michigan photo by Peter Smith |
"I get chills anytime I catch a glimpse of Larry Murphy, played by the wonderful Jeff Brooks, coming to terms with the death of his son. It comes in a particularly powerful point at the end of Act One and it just is heart-wrenching. I think the fact that Larry is such a unemotional character until that moment shows you that everyone is struggling, you just may not be able to see it. And you can see just how much he hurts in that moment and it is a very powerful moment to watch."
What has been the most rewarding or surprising part of performing this role on the national tour?
Getting to be around this amazing group of people has been an absolute blessing. I couldn’t imagine a better group to be touring with. There is so much love and not a bit of bad blood which is both surprising and rewarding.
What do you hope audiences take away from Evan’s story and the musical?
"Like I mentioned before, everyone is struggling. It is very hard to navigate through the jungle that is life. Just when you think you have cleared the path ahead another obstacle takes its place. Everyone has their own obstacles but we don’t have to go through it alone. There is endless love and support around us, we just need to find it and nurture it both externally and internally."
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| Michael Fabisch and the company of the 2024-2025 National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade |
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