Music Theatre International has released the Tony-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen for licensing of new productions. The company initially added the title to its catalogue in 2022, continuing a relationship between the theatrical licensor and Evan Hansen songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek that began with the acquisition of the pair's song cycle Edges, written while the duo were still students at the University of Michigan. MTI is also the licensing home for their Dogfight and James and the Giant Peach.

Featuring a book by Tony winner Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon, tick, tick...BOOM! on Netflix), Dear Evan Hansen centers on its title character, a teenager who feels invisible until a tragic event shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy. The musical opened on Broadway in 2016 following a pre-Broadway tryout at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage in 2015 and an Off-Broadway production at Second Stage the following year. The work won six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Orchestrations for Alex Lacamoire, Best Original Score for Pasek and Paul, Best Book of a Musical for Levenson, and Best Musical. The work has since toured the U.S., played London's West End, and made the jump to the big screen with a 2019 film adaptation.

“When we first began writing Dear Evan Hansen, we could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead,” say Levenson, Pasek, and Paul in a joint statement. “Now, 15 years later, we are thrilled that groups and theatres across the country and around the world will have a chance to bring the show to their communities. We hope Evan’s story continues to inspire and ignite conversation with new audiences, and we can’t wait to see how directors, actors, and designers put their own stamp on Dear Evan Hansen.”

“Dear Evan Hansen holds a special place in the hearts of so many theatergoers, including me,” adds MTI President and CEO Drew Cohen. “This story resonated with so many audience members and performers during its award-winning run on Broadway. Everyone at MTI is looking forward to delivering the show’s incredible brand of laughter and tears around the world.”

For more information, visit MTIShows.com.