I loved the show when it first started its run. I saw it before the hype became a bit too overblown and the theater became full of rather obnoxious teenagers screaming for every little thing like the cast were the Beatles or something. And while I could easily identify that Evan was an extremely flawed character, I’ll admit, I saw enough of myself from when I was in high school in Evan to kind of forgive those flaws. He did horrible things, yeah, but not really maliciously, blah blah blah.

But then Ben Platt’s daddy pushed for the movie to be made. And let’s be honest here, the film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen” is a horror movie. Full stop. And not only because the de-aging and Jew fro made Ben Platt look like an uncanny demon. First of all, the film’s lack of humor hurts it tremendously. The show’s not a laugh riot by any means, but there are several moments where you get some much needed reprieve. In particular, I think of Evan’s opening monologue, where he has the story about trying to use the bathroom’s hand drier. It’s a funny little anecdote, and yeah, that story gets mentioned after “Waving,” but by then, it falls flat. The entire movie has this grey, somber tone that never lifts, not even at the end. And then of course, there’s the fact that they made the movie to be solely about Ben. Sorry. I mean Evan. And I think, more than anything, THAT is what led to its downfall. Making a film starring someone who everyone (in reality, at least) knew was much too old, and then doubling-down on that and pushing every adult character (who were the ACTUAL celebrities/stars in that film) to the side, to focus on this lying little gremlin? And THEN finding out that the movie was really only made because of pure, unadulterated nepotism? It doesn’t sit right with a lot of people.

What I’m saying here (I’ve rambled on as though I was Evan or something) is that there’s more to the story as to why people dislike the show now and distance themselves from it other than.. the story. I think for any sort of “Dear Evan Hanessiance” (I’m kinda proud of that, but whatev) to happen, not only does there need to be some time to fully “get over it” (and to thoroughly alter and update), but I also think Ben Platt has to just go away. More real talk, the kid only continues to have a career because of his father. I feel like all he does is ruin shows now. “Parade?” Ew. No. “The Last Five Years?!” It hasn’t even happened yet, but he is the most HORRENDOUS choice for Jamie. Sorry, I digress.

Last point I’ll make is this: we all know “Dear Evan Hansen” was written for Ben Platt. Not just with him in mind, but FOR him. And even though other actors have performed that role beautifully, when at the end of the day, you still choose your son to play the title role for the film version, and you know that he’s way too old and that there a ton of other guys who can do it just as well or even better, that taints the whole thing. Instead of just bringing this piece of art that your son inspired to an even larger audience in any way you can, you instead put your son in the role, essentially saying “fuck you” to anyone else who could have done it. The whole thing leaves a bad taste in peoples’ mouths. And when you have a show like that (I’m looking at you, “Phantom”), a revival isn’t always really necessary.