When drama teacher Michele Zofchak took a group of students to New York City to see a Broadway musical in 2017, she had no idea how transformative the experience would be.
“I saw firsthand how this show can impact them,” said Zofchak. That show was “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Nine years later, with Zofchak directing, the Key Players are preparing to present “Dear Evan Hansen” to audiences countywide.
“When I heard that the show was going to be available, I pounced on it immediately,” said Zofchak. “I kept going back to how my students reacted when they saw it in New York City.”
The plot centers on an anxious 17-year-old high school student who becomes trapped in a massive lie after a classmate dies by suicide. A misunderstanding gives Evan something he has always longed for: an opportunity to be seen and to belong. The musical confronts tough topics — including social media pressures, loneliness and suicide — head-on.
“The in-your-face message is that you’re not alone, no matter how alone you may feel,” said Key Players president Jonelle Kop. “That really touches me because when I grew up, I was the outcast — the one who ate lunch in the band room because I was being bullied in the cafeteria.”
Kop, who has been with the Key Players for over 25 years, calls this the most important show the community theater group has ever taken on. In addition to seven community performances, the Key Players will offer free shows for students at all three Monroe County high schools: Coral Shores, Marathon High and Key West High.
“This is dealing with some difficult subjects for our kids and giving them the support they need to help get them through some really tough times,” Kop added.
Although serious material is central to the theme, “Dear Evan Hansen” also offers comedic relief as teenagers and parents attempt to navigate life.
Monroe County school board member Sue Woltanski strongly supports the show and its message. She recently donated $1,000 in leftover campaign funds to the Key Players, a contribution she and her husband Tom personally matched.
In 2016, when Woltanski’s daughter was in the eighth grade, a classmate, Joey Patterson, died by suicide, deeply affecting the close-knit community. Last year, the Monroe County School District became the first suicide prevention certified district in Florida.
“We lost him, and from that day forward, the district has been working to ensure kids under that much stress are identified and helped — and that’s exactly what this play is doing,” Woltanski said.
Although this will be the first time “Dear Evan Hansen” is presented in Monroe County, it’s not the first time students have been exposed to the show’s music.
Several years ago during a school assembly at Coral Shores, Zofchak’s theater students performed the lead number, “You Will Be Found.”
Jayden Ferrell, who is blind, was a freshman at the time. As a video played in the background of Ferrell walking around the school being ignored, he stood on stage and belted out a solo.
“He started to sing and everybody in the (Performing Arts Center) just stopped talking. For 700 high school students, that’s not a common thing,” said Zofchak. “When it was done, the entire PAC stood up and gave a standing ovation. It was very touching.”
Woltanski’s son was at the assembly that day and was also blown away by Ferrell’s performance.
“Many years later, I’m sure those kids still remember it, and I hope they’ll come back and see it,” added Woltanski.
Ferrell, now enrolled at Florida International University, is in the play. “He was like, ‘I’m going to be a part of that,’” said Zofchak.
Gryffin Bell, a Coral Shores High School graduate who is working on a master’s degree at FIU, plays the show’s lead, Evan Hansen.
“This is my first time playing a lead role. I’m very excited, but it’s very daunting. I’m so thrilled for this opportunity,” said Bell. “What I hope to bring to audiences is, while they’re looking at the show, to actually look at the people around them, who’s next to them, maybe start some conversations, and really just connect with one another.”
Opening night is Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Shores High School PAC, located at 89901 Old Highway in Tavernier. There will be a total of seven performances.
To purchase tickets or to make a donation to help pay for the road tour to Monroe County high schools, thekeyplayers.org.
The timing of this show and its message are ideal; September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
“I have lost close family members to suicide, and I have lost former students to suicide. It’s so important for people to know they are not alone,” said Zofchak.
