Photo: Matthew Murphy
Gaten Matarazzocan currently be seen in Broadway’sDear Evan Hansen— and the first official look at theStranger Thingsstar’s performance is finally here!
The 19-year-old actor joined the cast of theTony-winning best musicalearlier this month as Jared Kleinman, Evan’s close confidant and the story’s comic relief. In new production photos shared exclusively with PEOPLE, fans can get a glimpse of Matarazzo at work.
In the pics, Matarazzo is expressive as ever, one snapped as he delivered one of his hilarious one-liners front and center.
Another two photos came from Matarazzo’s energetic performance of “Sincerely Me,” alongside Evan (Zachary Noah Piser) and Connor (Noah Kieserman).
Matthew Murphy
Dear Evan Hansenmarks the long-awaited return to the stage for Matarazzo.
The Connecticut native — anadvocate for cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that affects the development of bones and teeth— made his Broadway debut at the age of 9 inPriscilla, Queen of the Desert. He went on to appear inGodspellin 2013 for a one-night-only performance and was last seen as Gavroche in the 2014 revival ofLes Misérables, a role he also played on the 25th Anniversary North American tour.
“I’m so stoked,” he said onLive with Kelly and Ryanin May. “I got the news a little while ago, which is so mean because I want to tell everyone in my entire life and I haven’t been able to until now. Now I can, and I’m so excited!”
“Words could never express how truly honored I am to be a part of this company,” he added, in a statement. “This show has taught me so much about myself and to be able to participate in any capacity, let alone on Broadway, makes me want to melt. I am ecstatic to be back on stage and eternally grateful for the opportunity.”
Matarazzo’sfirst performance inDear Evan Hansenwas on July 19.
In the audience were hisStranger ThingscostarsMaya Hawke, 24, andSadie Sink, 20, who supported their pal and posed with him for pictures afterwards.
“They surprised him, which was super cute!” a source on the scene exclusively told PEOPLE, adding that the two praised Matarazzo for his performance. “Maya and Sadie loved the show.”
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They weren’t the only ones who turned up on Tuesday as viewers of the hit Netflix show flooded the theater to cheer on Matarazzo. “Stranger Thingsfans turned up for Gaten’s first performance,” the insider added. “He got huge entrance applause. And there weretonsof fans outside at the stage door. It was mobbed!”
While Matarazzo did his best to greet them all, Hawke and Sink made their exit — and didn’t need to travel to the Upside Down to do it, either. “Maya and Sadie walked out the stage door unnoticed and ran down 45th Street,” the source joked.
Natalie Powers/Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansenreopened its Broadway production in December 2020.
Trying to improve his self-image, Evan writes himself a letter that is mistaken for a classmate’s suicide note and rides that error to popularity. (The story is loosely based on an experience Pasek witnessed in high school).
Since first opening on Broadway in December 2016, the Stacey Mindich-produced show has become a sold-out smash, its message of mental health awareness, teenage isolation and the importance of inclusiveness resonating with audiences of all ages. The musical won six Tonys, the Grammy for best musical theater album, and the Oliver for its London production.
Dear Evan Hansennow has three productions running across the globe, with its Broadway, North American Tour and West End companies once again playing in tandem.
Piser, who currently plays Evan on Broadway, is making history asthe first Asian American actor to play the role full-time. The production also currently stars actressJessica Phillips, who starred with Matarazzo inPriscillaa decade ago.
But sadly, Broadway performances won’t be happening for long. Back in June, it was announcedDear Evan Hansenwould be closing on Sept. 18.
At closing, the production will have played 1,678 regular performances and 21 preview performances. The milestone makes it one of Broadway’s 50 longest-running shows of all time.
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Earlier this month, Ben Platt — who originated the role of Evan, won a Tony for his performance, and went on to play the part on-screen in the 2021 film adaptation —opened up about the closing news to PEOPLE.
“It had a beautiful, long run, and it was very of the moment — and now we’re at a new moment and it’s time for new pieces, but I think the legacy will live on and in the ways that it changed lives of a lot of young people and opened a lot of conversations,” Platt, 28, said, “I just hope they have a beautiful last couple weeks.”
For tickets, visitwww.dearevanhansen.com.
source: people.com
