After nearly 10 years, Stranger Things breakout star, Gaten Matarazzo, returns to the Broadway stage on July 19 in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen.
He will forgo his more familiar role of the goofy and loyal nerd when playing Dustin—leaving that to Zachary Noah Piser who stars as Evan Hansen himself—to take on the role of the sarcastic Jared Kleinman.
“Words could never express how truly honored I am to be a part of this company,” Matarazzo said. “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 last time Matarazzo took to the stage was in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables. Before that, he appeared in the cast of the 2013 Godspell production and in 2011 for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Matarazzo is now a beloved performer and SAG Award recipient who was even recognized as one of the top “30 stars under 30” by The Hollywood Reporter.
Taking a break from best friend Mike Wheeler for his “family friend” Evan Hansen, Matarazzo’s role as Jared Kleinman will have him heping Evan with the memorial initiative, “The Connor Project,” instead of chasing down Demogorgons.
Dear Evan Hansen first premiered on Broadway back in 2016, and reopened on December 11, 2020. Currently, there are three productions running worldwide with its Broadway, North American Tour and West End companies.
Tickets are currently on sale for the production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th St.).
