Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording is the cast album to the 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson. The recording stars Ben Platt, Rachel Bay Jones, Laura Dreyfuss, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Michael Park, Mike Faist, Will Roland and Kristolyn Lloyd. The album was produced by Alex Lacamoire, Pasek and Paul, and featuring musicians include Rob Jost, Adele Stein, Justin Smith, Ben Cohn, Jamie Eblen, Dillon Kondor, Justin Goldner, Christopher Jahnke and Todd Low.[1] The album was released by Atlantic Records on January 27, 2017, and featured at #8 on the Billboard 200, making the highest debut for a cast album after Camelot (1961).[2] It also topped the Internet Albums chart. It further received the Best Musical Theater Album award at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[3][4]
Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording | |
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Cast recording by the original Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen | |
Released | January 27, 2017 |
Recorded | December 9–15, 2016 |
Studio | Avatar, New York City |
Genre | |
Length | 56:35 |
Label | Atlantic |
Producer | |
Singles from Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording | |
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Promotion and release
editThe original Broadway cast album was announced on November 16, 2016,[5][6] with pre-orders for the album beginning from December 9, 2016.[7] The track "Waving Through a Window" was released as a special early download on the same date, for those who had pre-ordered the album.[7] Additionally, the tracks "Requiem" and "You Will Be Found" were released as bonus pre-order singles on January 19 and 23, 2017.[8][9] Atlantic Records released the soundtrack through digital formats on January 27,[10][11] followed by a CD release on February 17.[12] An exclusive vinyl album of the cast recording launched on July 21.[13][14]
A deluxe album was announced on September 26, 2018,[15] which contained all the songs from the Broadway cast recording, in addition to cut songs and covers. Three days prior, on September 23, Billboard exclusively released the track "Part of Me" as a single, performed by the cast from the U.S. Tour.[16] The album was scheduled for release on October 19, but eventually released on November 2.[17] The cut songs were performed by Taylor Trensch, Mallory Bechtel and Alex Boniello, who replaced the principal characters during the Broadway schedule. A cover version of "Waving Through a Window" was performed by Katy Perry to promote the show's national tour in North America,[18] with her version being included in the deluxe edition.
Commercial response
editThe album debuted at number eight on Billboard 200, registering the highest debut for a cast album after 1961's Camelot, which debuted at the fourth position.[19] It also had surpassed 2015's Hamilton to top the Billboard 200 charts.[20] In addition, the album was featured at number one in Top Broadway Albums and at number two in Top Pop Albums.[21] After its win at the 71st Tony Awards, the album again peaked at number five in Billboard 200.[22] In the first week, the album sold over 29,000 copies, with 25,000 coming from traditional sales.[2] Over 123,000 copies were sold in the year of its release, and an additional 305,000 copies in 2018, to become one of the best-selling albums of the year.[23] The album was certified Gold by RIAA on March 6, 2019.[24][25] As of March 2021, the album sold over 640,000 copies.
Critical reception
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2023) |
In her review for The Northern Light, Abby Seeber wrote, "The music is incredibly universal and will no doubt stand the test of time".[26] Gramophone's Edward Seckerson wrote, "what really sets Pasek and Paul’s work apart is the emotional resonance of their melodies. The pop-rock nowness is painted in a contemporary funkiness, keyboards and guitars, acoustic and electric, dominating – but the soul of these songs is personal and timeless."[27]
A critic for The Diamondback wrote that "Dear Evan Hansen vocalizes another timeless struggle: a dorky teenager both desperate and terrified of fitting in. This time social media plays a central role, one that heightens and elevates the stakes. The original cast album, sounds like inside of a teenager’s mind: frantic, immediate, life-or-death, now-or-never. Songs build and explode and then fall to a hush in the same way a teenagers panic, jump to conclusions and incorrectly assume their complete isolation."[28]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Anybody Have a Map?" | 2:26 | |
2. | "Waving Through a Window" | Ben Platt | 3:56 |
3. | "For Forever" | Platt | 5:01 |
4. | "Sincerely, Me" | 3:42 | |
5. | "Requiem" |
| 4:19 |
6. | "If I Could Tell Her" |
| 4:08 |
7. | "Disappear" |
| 4:35 |
8. | "You Will Be Found" |
| 6:00 |
9. | "To Break In A Glove" |
| 3:50 |
10. | "Only Us" |
| 3:47 |
11. | "Good For You" |
| 3:50 |
12. | "Words Fail" | Platt | 5:51 |
13. | "So Big / So Small" | Jones | 4:12 |
14. | "Finale" | Platt | 1:35 |
No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Anybody Have a Map?" | 2:26 | |
2. | "Waving Through a Window" | Ben Platt | 3:56 |
3. | "For Forever" | Platt | 5:01 |
4. | "Sincerely, Me" | 3:42 | |
5. | "Requiem" |
| 4:19 |
6. | "If I Could Tell Her" |
| 4:08 |
7. | "Disappear" |
| 4:35 |
8. | "You Will Be Found" |
| 6:00 |
9. | "To Break In A Glove" |
| 3:50 |
10. | "Only Us" |
| 3:47 |
11. | "Good For You" |
| 3:50 |
12. | "Words Fail" | Platt | 5:51 |
13. | "So Big / So Small" | Jones | 4:12 |
14. | "Finale" | Platt | 1:35 |
15. | "Obvious" (Bonus track) | Taylor Trensch | 4:14 |
16. | "Hiding In Your Hands" (Bonus track) | Mallory Bechtel | 4:07 |
17. | "Part Of Me" (Bonus track) |
| 5:06 |
18. | "In The Bedroom Down The Hall" (Demo) |
| 5:19 |
19. | "Disappear" (Acoustic) |
| 2:32 |
20. | "Waving Through A Window" (Katy Perry version) | Perry | 3:55 |
Total length: | 81:40 |
Personnel
edit
Additionally, Taylor Trensch, Mallory Bechtel and Alex Boniello (characters who replaces the original Broadway cast) playing Evan Hansen, Zoe Murphy and Connor Murphy, also recorded the musical numbers, which were included in the extended version. Few cast from the Original U.S. Tour ensemble also performed on a track.
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Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[43] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[44] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Song certifications
editTitle | Certifications |
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"Waving Through a Window" | |
"Sincerely, Me" |
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"You Will Be Found" |
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References
edit- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen [Original Broadway Cast Recording] - Benj Pasek, Justin Paul". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ a b February 20, Jessica Derschowitz; EST, 2017 at 10:21 AM. "'Dear Evan Hansen' Lands in Top 10 For Billboard Album Chart Debut". EW.com. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "60th Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "Grammys 2018: Complete list of nominees". Los Angeles Times. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen Announces Release Date for Broadway Cast Album". TheaterMania. November 16, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen To Release Cast Recording". Pop-Culturalist.com. November 16, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ a b "Dear Evan Hansen Announces Cast Recording". Playbill. November 16, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ "Stream Dear Evan Hansen's "Requiem" Ahead of Album Release". Playbill. January 26, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ "Must Listen: Check Out a Track From the Dear Evan Hansen Cast Album". Playbill. January 30, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording) by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss & Will Roland, January 27, 2017, retrieved June 6, 2022
- ^ Cote, David (February 2, 2017). "Dear Evan Hansen Broadway cast recording drops Friday, listening party at midnight". Time Out New York. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ Various Artists; Jennifer Laura Thompson; Rachel Bay Jones; Laura Dreyfuss; Michael Park; Ben Platt (2017), Dear Evan Hansen, retrieved June 6, 2022
- ^ "Various Artists - Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Blue 2 LP) (Vinyl)". www.target.com. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Album of 2017 Tony-Winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen to Be Released on Vinyl". Broadway.com. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen Deluxe Album, Including Cut Songs, Will Be Released in October". Playbill. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Milzoff, Rebecca (September 24, 2018). "Get a First Listen Of Cut Song 'Part Of Me' From 'Dear Evan Hansen': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen Deluxe Album, Including Cut Songs and Katy Perry's 'Waving Through a Window,' to release on November 2". Playbill. October 24, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 1, 2018). "Katy Perry Re-Recorded 'Dear Evan Hansen' Song 'Waving Through a Window' to Help Launch Show's National Tour: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (February 17, 2017). "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: 'Dear Evan Hansen' & 'Hamilton' Give Broadway Two Albums in Top 20 for First Time in More Than 50 Years". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Billboard, Keith Caulfield (February 17, 2017). "With 'Dear Evan Hansen,' Broadway Charts Two Albums in Top 20 for First Time in Decades". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ McHenry, Jackson (February 13, 2017). "This Cast Recording Just Debuted Higher on the Charts Than Hamilton". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ Evans, Suzy (June 12, 2017). "'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'Hello Dolly' Win Big at the 2017 Tony Awards". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "American album certifications – Various Artists – Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ Milligan, Kaitlin. "DEAR EVAN HANSEN Original Cast Recording Receives RIAA Gold Certification". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ Seeber, Abby. "Dear Evan Hansen Soundtrack Review". The Northern Light. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen". Gramophone. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Review: The 'Dear Evan Hansen' soundtrack powerfully vocalizes teen struggles". The Diamondback. January 31, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Musical – Dear Evan Hansen - Original Broadway Cast Recording". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard. September 15, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Pop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Broadway Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Internet Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Albums Year-End Chart 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Albums Year-End Chart 2018". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Pop Album Year-End Chart 2018". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Albums Year-End Chart 2019". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Albums Year-End Chart 2020". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Cast Albums Year-End Chart 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Original Broadway Cast – Dear Evan Hansen". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "American album certifications – Various Artists – Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c "American single certifications – Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Platt/Dear Evan Hansen Cast". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 12, 2022. Select singles in the Format field. Type Platt/Dear Evan Hansen Cast in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.