Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen” got some “strange” visitors on Tuesday night. “Stranger Things” stars Sadie Sink, 20, and Maya Hawke, 24, were seen in the audience supporting their costar Gaten Matarazzo, 19, during his first performance in the Tony-winning best musical. The three friends posed together for a photo on the stage of the New York City’s Music Box Theatre after the show.
A “Stranger Things” Filled Audience
A source told People that Matarazzo had no idea that his “Stranger Things” costars would be in the audience. “They surprised him, which was super cute!” The source added that the two praised him for his performance, “Maya and Sadie loved the show.” The two Netflix show stars weren’t the only ones there to see Matarazzo’s first performance. Viewers of the popular series were there in droves. “‘Stranger Things’ fans turned up for Gaten’s first performance. He got huge entrance applause. And there were tons of fans outside at the stage door. It was mobbed,” the source added. While Matarazzo greeted his fans, Hawke and Sink were able to make an unknown exit according to the insider. “Maya and Sadie walked out the stage door unnoticed and ran down 45th Street.”
Excited for his First Broadway Performance in Years
Matarazzo is playing the role of Evan’s best friend Jared Kleinman in the show. “Dear Evan Hansen” marks the return to the stage for Matarazzo after many years. He made his Broadway debut in “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” when he was 9-years-old and went on to appear in Godspell for a one-night-only performance in 2013. He was last seen as Gavroche in the 2014 revival of “Les Miserables.” When asked about his new Broadway role on “Live With Kelly and Ryan” back in May, Matarazzo said, “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.”
The actor hasn’t exactly been able to hide his excitement about this role. He said in a statement, “Words could never express how truly honored I am to be a part of this company. 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.”
The Success of “Dear Evan Hansen”
“Dear Evan Hansen” reopened on Broadway in December 2020. Written by the Tony-winning composing team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul from a book by Steven Levenson, the musical first opened on Broadway in December 2016. The popularity of the show is partly due to the message of mental health awareness and teenage isolation that resonates with all ages. The show tells the story of a high school loner, Evan, who’s anxiety ridden, watching the world from the outside looking in. The show has racked up some great awards winning six Tonys, the Grammy for best musical theater album, and the Oliver for its London production.
