An actor who has just finished playing the lead in Dear Evan Hansen in Glasgow will take on the same role in Jersey after an unexpected cast change two weeks before opening night.
Reece Folan will join Jersey Green Room Theatre Company’s production after original lead Joshua Scott withdrew to take up a year-long performing opportunity overseas.
The company pursued 13 potential leads in its search for a replacement, determined to keep the show on schedule for its opening at the Jersey Arts Centre on 24 October.
That search led to Reece, who had recently completed a run as Evan Hansen at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre.
Director Nick Carver said: “Joshua was a valued part of this production, and while we’ll miss having him with us, we’re delighted that he’s been offered such an exciting opportunity overseas.
“Our priority was to find the right person to take the production forward, and we were determined to do everything possible to bring the show to audiences as planned.
“To discover that Reece had just finished playing Evan in Glasgow was an extraordinary piece of good fortune.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome him to Jersey. It’s an exciting moment for the whole company, and we can’t wait for audiences to see what he brings to the role.”
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen explores loneliness, grief, family, mental health, social media and the desire to belong.
The show centres on Evan Hansen, an anxious teenager who fabricates a friendship with a deceased classmate after a tragic suicide.
Nick first saw the musical in the West End in February 2020, shortly before lockdown, and found its message of connection particularly resonant as isolation and loneliness took on new significance.
Reece joins a cast including River Scott, Alice Veitch, Hannah Jacques, Jake Osborne, Paul Harris, Hugo Jones and Harley Drelaud.
The production features an eight-piece live band led by musical director Luke Brown, with choreography by Victoria Gordon.
Dear Evan Hansen runs for ten performances at Jersey Arts Centre from 24 October to 1 November. Tickets are available online.
