American musical theater has been wrestling with the need to find connection for generations. In 1945, Rodgers and Hammerstein didn't just write a song for Carousel, with the iconic lyrics “When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and you’ll never walk alone” - they penned a comfortingly defiant response to human isolation. Decades later, Stephen Sondheim took this theme in a more complex, nuanced direction for Into The Woods when he wrote “Things will turn out right now, we can make it so … No one is alone.” Sondheim  reminds us that while we are connected, we are also individually responsible. In a world of moral ambiguity, empathy is a choice, not just a given.

Fast forward to today, in an era defined by constant digital connectivity and rising rates of mental health crises, the visceral desire to be “found” takes center stage in Pasek and Paul’s Dear Evan Hansen: “Even when the dark comes crashin’ through, You will be found, When you need someone to carry you, You are not alone.” Evan’s journey isn't just about loneliness; it’s about the anxiety of being seen and the temptation to create a false self to achieve belonging. Here, the phrase "you are not alone" is both a healing truth and a complicated, desperate plea.

In a time when our transgender and non-binary youth, like the character Connor Murphy in this musical, are too often reduced to political talking points, we believe in the power of theater to create a sanctuary - a place where true, messy, beautiful human stories can breathe. Empathy is at the core of what we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and for our LGBTQ+ youth, know that you are seen, you are safe here, and your story matters.

The "woods" of the ‘80’s have become the digital windows of today, and we often feel isolated despite being hyper-connected. Dear Evan Hansen asks us to break through that screen and find one another. You are part of a living experiment. Scientific studies have shown that live theater synchronizes the heart rates of audience members, turning strangers into a connected, pulsating community. When we share the thrill of live theater, we don't just watch together - we experience a deep physiological bond and shared emotional journey. Theater is a collaborative act of community. 

We invite you to experience this shared, visceral thrill. Whether this is your first time at Zach or your hundredth, you are seen, you are known and you belong!

Thank you for adding your heartbeat to ours. 

Dave Steakley, Director
Zach Theater Producing Artistic Director

DAVE STEAKLEY, Producing Artistic Director
JAMIE HERLICH, Managing Director

BOOK by STEVEN LEVENSON
MUSIC AND LYRICS by BENJ PASEK AND JUSTIN PAUL
Directed by DAVE STEAKLEY
MUSIC DIRECTION by ALLEN ROBERTSON
APRIL 8–MAY 31, 2026  |  The Topfer

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**Member of United Scenic Artists 829

There will be one 20-minute intermission. Drinks & snacks are welcome in the theatre.

Production Underwriter	Presenting Sponsor	Supporting Sponsors
NANCY SCANLAN	​​ ​​

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 

*Actors’ Equity Association, founded in 1913, represents more than 49,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Equity seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. actorsequity.org

Photos and videos of the production are Strictly prohibited. Video and/or audio recording of this production and the taking of photographs are prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices during the performance.

Photos in the Lobby. Audience members may take photos in the theater lobby before and after the show, and during intermission. If you post photos on social media or elsewhere, please credit the production's designers.

EVAN JENNINGS* (Evan Hansen) - Zach Debut! REGIONAL: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Frank Abagnale Jr.), Firehouse Theatre; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka), SSMT; RENT in Concert (Ensemble), AMP Worldwide; PHANTOM (Young Carriere), Gateway Playhouse; MISS SAIGON (Ensemble), JUNIE B. JONES IS NOT A CROOK (Handsome Warren), HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (Ensemble), Casa Mañana; THE PROM (Ensemble), CAROUSEL (Enoch Snow Jr.) Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Huge thanks to Michael Minarik, IAMT, Avalon Artists Group, Mom & Dad. IAMT Alumni '25 @itsevanjennings

LESLIE MCDONEL* (Heidi Hansen) - Zach: LESLIE LIVE IN CONCERT, WAITRESS (Jenna), BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (Carole King), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ghost of Christmas Present, Mrs. Cratchit), A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Janis alternate), and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Yitzhak). REGIONAL: A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Janis); LIZZIE (Emma Borden). BROADWAY/TOUR: AMERICAN IDIOT (Ensemble,Original Broadway Cast, and (Heather) 1st National Tour); LEGALLY BLONDE (Kate/Chutney/Swing,1st National Tour); HAIRSPRAY (LouAnn, u/s Amber, Broadway and 1st National Tour). Leslie performs her own solo concert all over the world. For Amy, the best boy-mom I know.

DOMINIC PECIKONIS* (Connor Murphy) - Zach Debut! They/She. REGIONAL: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Frank N Furter, Phantom) Lyric Stage and Dallas Theatre Center, SPRING AWAKENING (Ernst) Watering Hole Collective, RENT ( Angel, Ensemble) The Umbrella Stage Company and Theatre Under The Stars, LITTLE WOMEN (Meg) Arts Mission Oak Cliff.  INTERNATIONAL: SPECTRA’S CABARET (Spectra) Royal Caribbean. NATIONAL TOUR: Spamilton An American Parody (Daveed Diggs) Instagram: @mythriftyaesthetic TikTok: @DomAndEliza. For all the people living in between.

EUGENIA DE LA GARZA (Zoe Murphy) - Zach Debut! REGIONAL: BRING IT ON! (Eva) at Zilker Theatre Productions; 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM SPELLING BEE (Logainne) at Penfold Theater; GREASE (Rizzo) at Summer Stock Austin. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.F.A. in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (New Studio on Broadway). So grateful for my family, mentors, friends, Will Mallick, and for the ZACH team! Represented by The Carson Kolker Organization. You can find Eugenia on Instagram at @eugeniadlgarza, and her website theeugeniadelagarza.com

TRACY JAI SWEENEY* (Cynthia Murphy) - Zach: JERSEY BOYS (Mary Delgado),THE PROM (Angie). REGIONAL: A CHORUS LINE (Sheila) at Cape Playhouse, HALFTIME (Alison) at Papermill, SHE LOVES ME (Ilona) at Capital Rep. BROADWAY: LEGALLY BLONDE (Serena), HAIRSPRAY (Amber Von Tussle). OFF BROADWAY: RUTHLESS (Eve/Louise). ADDITIONAL TV CREDITS: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Odd Mom Out, White Collar, Law & Order: SVU. All my love & thanks to this Zach family, to my friends and family and my husband Adam! God is good! 

RUDY MARTINEZ* (Larry Murphy) - Zach Debut. REGIONAL: IN THE HEIGHTS (Kevin Rosario) Signature Theatre, INTO THE WOODS (Baker) Arvada Center, MAN OF LA MANCHA (Don Quixote) Oceanside Theatre Company,  SWEENEY TODD (Sweeney Todd) Curtis Theatre, THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Gomez Addams) Welk Theatre, EVITA (Che) Maltz Jupiter Theatre, MARY POPPINS (George Banks) Argyle Theatre. CONCERTS: Hollywood Bowl: GIRL CRAZY, OKLAHOMA. TELEVISION: Food Network: CUPCAKE WARS, HALLOWEEN BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP (Winner). @manbakescake

FLYNN JUNGBIN BYUN (Alana Beck) - Zach Debut. REGIONAL: THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL (Annabeth Chase) at On Your Mark Playhouse, MISS SAIGON (Mimi, Ensemble) at White Plains Performing Arts Center; HELLO, DOLLY! (Ensemble) at Spotlight Theater. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Musical Theatre program from AMDA, B.A. in English Linguistics & Literature from Tsinghua University. Special thanks to my family, Wenny, Ji Young, Lizzie, Yunxiang, Suhyun & my teachers, Jay Dias, Seunghwan, Mrs. Sun and Jiyoon. @flynn_is_fly.n

JP LOPEZ (Jared Kleinman) - Zach: A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD (Snail), DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS (Business Man u/s), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Bob Cratchit, Marley/Fezziwig u/s). REGIONAL: COMPANY (Paul) at Roustabout, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Pontius Pilate), GUYS AND DOLLS (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Lion), GREASE (Teen Angel), IN THE HEIGHTS 
(Piraugüero) at Impact Arts. @JonPaulMitchellLopez on IG and TikTok! 

WILL MALLICK (Evan Understudy) - Zach: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Apprentice Scrooge), JERSEY BOYS (Swing/Bob Gaudio), DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS (Pigeon). REGIONAL: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Chip) at Penfold, BYE BYE BIRDIE (Conrad) at TexARTS, LEGALLY BLONDE (Emmett) at Zilker Hillside, GREASE (Kenickie) at Impact Arts, ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.A. in Religious Studies from Southwestern University. Thanks to my mom, brothers, sisters-in-law, Adam Roberts, Scott Shipman, and Eugenia De La Garza. @willmallick on Instagram and TikTok.

Allen Robertson (Music Director / Piano) has worked on 30 years of shows at Zach.

AlAN RESTAMOZO (Electric / Acoustic Guitar) - Zach Debut. Alan is a guitarist, composer, and audio professional working across a wide range of fine arts activities including media scoring, arranging, musicals, classical and jazz concert music. www.alan-retamozo.com. IG: @composers_workshop 

Hector Moreno (Cello) - Zach: SPRING AWAKENING, NEXT TO NORMAL, RAGTIME, LES MISÉRABLES, THE KING AND I, MARY POPPINS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CINDERELLA; NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. REGIONAL (cellist): THE ADDAMS FAMILY, AIDA, AMELIE, CATS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FROZEN, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, INTO THE WOODS, LITTLE WOMEN, NEWSIES, OKLAHOMA!, PIPPIN, SEUSSICAL, SHREK THE MUSICAL, SWEENEY TODD, WEST SIDE STORY. 

Lannie HilBOLDT (Bass Guitar) - Zach:  RENT, JERSEY BOYS, DREAMGIRLS, LADY DAY AT EMERSONS BAR AND GRILL, BEAUTIFUL, THE CAROL KING MUSICAL, WAITRESS, BEEHIVE, TOMMY, CROWNS, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.  REGIONAL: Palace Theater: ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, SWING, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, SPAMALOT, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. 

ARNIE YÁÑEZ (Drums) - Zach: Arnie has appeared in over 70 productions at Zach. He works regularly as a performing percussionist playing in local bands and his studio work includes music for radio, TV and film scores.  For 35 years, he has worked as a public school teacher in Austin ISD. Currently, he serves as Associate Director of Bands at Covington Fine Arts Academy. 

Steven Levenson (Book) Steven is a Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and television writer and producer. His plays include If I Forget, Core Values, Seven Minutes In Heaven, and The Language of Trees. He wrote the book for the musical, Dear Evan Hansen, which won six Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Musical, as well as the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. He co-created and executive produced the FX series “Fosse/Verdon,” which was nominated for seventeen Emmy Awards, including Best Limited Series and Best Writing for a Limited Series, as well as for Critics’ Choice Association and Producers Guild Awards, in addition to winning the Writers Guild Award and an AFI Award for Outstanding Series. Other honors include the OBIE Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the John Gassner Memorial Playwriting Award. He adapted Jonathan Larson’s tick, tick…boom!, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, for Netflix. He is a graduate of Brown University. 

BENJ PASEK and JUSTIN PAUL (Music & Lyrics) Songwriters and producers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul are best known for their Oscar, Grammy, and Tony-winning work on La La Land, The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, each of which spawned albums that landed in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, including multiple weeks at #1 for The Greatest Showman, which in 2018 was the world’s best-selling album. This year, they won their first Emmy Award as songwriters of Only Murders in the Building and, as a result, achieved EGOT status, joining a rarified list of artists who have won all four major showbiz prizes. Additional film and television credits include Apple’s Spirited, Sony’s Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, Disney’s live-action Aladdin, Dreamworks Animation’s Trolls, Amazon’s Harlem, Apple’s Dear Edward, NBC’s Smash, The CW’s The Flash, Amazon’s Pink: All I Know So Far (Grammy nomination), and FX’s Welcome to Wrexham. Amongst their varied stage credits, they made their Broadway debut with the musical A Christmas Story (Tony nomination), further adapted into a live telecast for Fox (Emmy nomination); and won their second Tonys for co-producing Best Musical winner A Strange Loop. Among their countless honors, they became the youngest winners ever of the Jonathan Larson Award and the first writers for stage or screen to be honored with the ASCAP Vanguard Award. In total, Benj and Justin have each won two Tonys, two Grammys, an Emmy and an Oscar across five distinct projects.

Milo Bue** (Scenic Designer) is excited to be joining Zach Theatre on this production. Select design credits include Paramount Theatre: COME FROM AWAY, AN ACT OF GOD, Marriott Theatre: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS, HELLO DOLLY, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS, Rev Theatre Company: BARNUM, INTO THE WOODS, A Red Orchid: THE MOORS, and Neverbird/Chicago Children Theatre: PINOCCHIO. Milo received his MFA from Northwestern University and BA from Columbia College. milobuedesign.org.

Jenny Hanna-Chambers (Costume Designer) - Zach: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, ROE; REGIONAL: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - San Pedro Playhouse; RUNNING BEAR - Hyde Park Theatre; ROSITA Y CONCHITA, I’M PROUD OF YOU, A MID SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Penfold Theatre; DANCE NATION, THE SECRETARY, THE DROWNING GIRLS, JACOB’S LADDER -Theatre en Bloc. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.F.A. in Costume Design from Texas State University. Special Thanks to my family and friends who’ve supported my journey! 

S. ElliotT (Lighting Designer) Zach: DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, (Lighting Designer) THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY (Assistant Lighting Designer) REGIONAL (LIGHTING DESIGN) : CHRISTMAS CAROL at Barter Theatre LYRIC AND THE KEYS at Magik Theatre, BAKERSFIELD MIST, THE 39 STEPS, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Riverside Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: MFA from UT Austin. Thank you, to the amazing Zach team and my supportive family. 
@selliottlights

DARBY SMOTHERMAN (Sound Designer) - Zach: ALICE BY HEART; National Tour: OMNIUM CIRCUS, BIG APPLE CIRCUS; Casa Manana: STEEL MAGNOLIAS; American Repertory Theatre: PIRATES OF PENZANCE; Speakeasy Stage: CHOIR BOY; Arts Emerson: SUGAR; Actor’s Shakespeare Project: THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL; Company One: COLOSSAL; Provincetown Theater: ACROSS THE POND; Weston Playhouse Vermont: THE 39 STEPS, FULLY COMMITTED, RENT, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE; Ars Nova NYC: MRS. SMITH PRESENTS. MFA Sound Design, Boston University. Member Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. 

Sarah Hudson* (AEA Production Stage Manager) Zach: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL '24 & '25 (ASM), BOB & JEAN - A LOVE STORY (PSM), THE KING & I (ASM). REGIONAL: MACBETH (ASM), AS YOU LIKE IT (ASM), GOLD MOUNTAIN (ASM) at Utah Shakespeare Festival; BONNIE & CLYDE (ASM), WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME (PSM), SOMETHING ROTTEN! (ASM), at Pioneer Theatre Company; DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (PSM) at Summer Stock Austin. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.F.A. in Technical Production from Texas State University. Special thanks to her family and village here in Austin. Proud Equity member.

Harriet Butler* (AEA Assistant Stage Manager) - Zach: PPC IGNITE '24-'25 (PSM), THE CAT IN THE HAT (Takeover SM), THE GIRL WHO BECAME LEGEND (Takeover PSM) with The Kennedy Center. REGIONAL: THE PET PROJECT (ASM), SPLIT (ASM) at the New London Barn Playhouse with Transport Group; WAITRESS (PSM), JERSEY BOYS (PSM) at Short North Stage; NEXT TO NORMAL (PSM), BROADWAY: A CHORUS LINE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (ASM). ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Regian Entertainment Producing 
Associate. For Kayden, Perry, Paige, Larry, Garrett, and Olivia.

Rylee Vines (Assistant Stage Manager) - Zach: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY (PA). ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Production Stage Manager for RIDE THE CYCLONE at The University of Texas at Austin; Production Stage Manager for GREASE at Summer Stock Austin; Assistant Production Manager/Stage Manager for the HELLER AWARDS FOR YOUNG ARTISTS at The Long Center. B.A. in Theatre and Dance from The University of Texas at Austin. Big thanks to my family and friends, I couldn’t do this without you. 

Amy Oxley (Replacement Assistant Stage Manager)Zach Debut. REGIONAL: RAGTIME, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, TARZAN, A CHORUSLINE, HAIRSPRAY, OLIVER, BIG RIVER (ASM) at The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. INTERNATIONAL: Disney Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.F.A. in Stage Management from The University of Oklahoma. Huge thank you to my family for all of their support. @stagemanageramy