‘Dear Evan Hansen’ opens this week at Manatee Performing Arts Center

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The musical “Dear Evan Hansen” opens this week at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.The show won six Tony Awards and a Grammy for best musical. The New York Times called it “a breathtaking knock out of a musical.”Manatee Performing Arts Center Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby and actor Luke Magro, who plays Evan Hansen, discussed the production.“Dear Evan Hansen” addresses the use of technology today and how it can affect mental health. The Manatee production will use technology, including projections and expanded LED screens, to support the needs of the play.Magro is a 17-year-old high school student. Production staff describe his life as paralleling the character he portrays. Unlike the original actor who debuted the role of Evan, Magro is an actual teenager living a life similar to the character’s. Magro has a deep passion for the role and has wanted to play it onstage for several years.Fans of the show disagree on how to view the central character, de