Tyler Donovan McCall anchors new 'Dear Evan Hansen' at La Mirada

Tyler Donovan McCall leads a new stage adaptation of the musical 'Dear Evan Hansen' at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The young New York actor takes on the title role in a production that opened this week. The performance has drawn attention for its vocal precision and emotional depth.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2015, making it an 11-year-old property. It previously toured nationally with a specific electronic aesthetic. La Mirada Theatre is presenting a local version that reinterprets the original staging elements for its own venue.

The story follows Evan, a 17-year-old high school student living with his single mother. He is portrayed as an anxious outsider who navigates a complex social dynamic after the death of a classmate. Evan infiltrates the grieving family’s life, creating a web of misunderstanding that drives the plot. The narrative explores themes of isolation, social media impact, and the search for identity during adolescence.

McCall’s performance centers on the character’s internal conflict. He uses a thin, lanky physicality and an angular face to convey adolescent awkwardness. The role demands a powerful tenor voice capable of handling a multi-octave range. McCall delivers the score composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul with a clear, assured tone. He establishes his presence in early numbers such as 'Waving Through a Window' and 'For Forever.' His rendition of 'Words Fail' near the end of the show is a focal point for the cast's vocal capability.

The 12-person cast supports the lead with strong ensemble work. The first act concludes with 'You Will Be Found,' a six-minute number that serves as a rallying cry. The production achieves a crescendo through harmonies from the full cast. Supporting actors include Nic Hermick as Connor, who brings agility to a haunting role. Analisa Idalia plays Alana, an aggressively upbeat character focused on social media engagement.

Gabriel Vernon Nunag returns to the role of Jared, a part he played in a national tour. Nunag portrays Jared as a smart-alecky family friend who shifts from cynical humor to hurt when dismissed by Evan. Josh Adamson and Jill Van Velzer play the parents, Larry and Cynthia. Adamson sings in the duet 'To Break in a Glove.' Van Velzer portrays a grieving mother breaking through her earlier self-absorption. Their performances are described as impactful and well-acted.

Director and choreographer Stephen C. Anthony oversees the stage work. The production features updated electronic backgrounds on a large LED screen. Projection Designer David Murakami created imagery that reproduces key words from Evan's journal in block type. These visuals blur into online comments and Instagram feeds. The screen also displays abstract geometric patterns that change color and shape to mirror themes of loneliness and anxiety.

La Mirada Theatre has produced a series of major musicals in recent seasons. The company has staged 'Fiddler on the Roof,' 'Legally Blonde,' and 'Sweeney Todd' at a consistent level of execution. The current production maintains that standard. The show runs through November 22. Performances occur at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Sunday showtimes are 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for purchase in a range of $15.95 to $132. The theater is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada. Interested parties can contact the box office at 714-994-6310 or 562-944-9801 for more information. The company's website is lamiradatheatre.gov.