Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Gaten Matarazzois heading from the Upside Down to the Great White Way this summer.
TheStranger Thingsstar, 19, will join the Broadway cast of the Tony-winning musicalDear Evan Hansen, playing Evan’s best friend Jared Kleinman for a limited run beginning July 19, 2022.
It’s a long-awaited return to the stage for Matarazzo, who made his Broadway debut at the age of 9 inPriscilla, Queen of the Desert. He went on to appear inGodspellin 2013 for a one-night-only performance, and was last seen as Gavroche in the 2014 revival ofLes Misérables— a role he also played on the 25th Anniversary North American tour.
“I’m so stoked,” he said on Tuesday’sLive with Kelly and Ryan. “I got the news a little while ago, which is so mean because I want to tell everyone in my entire life and I haven’t been able to until now. Now I can, and I’m so excited!”
“Words could never express how truly honored I am to be a part of this company,” he added, in a statement. “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.”
Gaten Matarazzo.Courtesy of Netflix
Matarazzo— anadvocate for cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that affects the development of bones and teeth— is known to television audiences for his breakout role as Dustin onStranger Things. The first half of its fourth season begins streaming on Netflix this Friday.
Dear Evan Hansenreopened its Broadway production in December 2020.
Since first opening on Broadway in December 2016, the Stacey Mindich-produced show has become a sold-out smash, its message of teenage isolation and the importance of inclusiveness resonating with audiences of all ages. The show won six Tonys, the Grammy for best musical theater album, and the Oliver for its London production.
The musical now has three productions running across the globe, with its Broadway, North American Tour and West End companies once again playing in tandem.
Matthew Murphy
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Dear Evan Hansen’s current Broadway company includes Zachary Noah Piser, Talia Simone Robinson, Jessica Phillips, Christiane Noll, David Jeffery, Manoel Felciano, Jared Goldsmith, and Phoebe Koyabe, and Linedy Genao, Nathan Levy, Mateo Lizcano, Dan Macke, Jane Pfitsch, D’Kaylah Unique Whitley, Asa Somers, Josh Strobl, and Nicole Van Giesen.
Piser is making history as the first Asian American actor to play the role full-time.
Also returning to the show on July 19 are Ann Sanders (Cynthia Murphy) and from the show’s North American tour, Noah Kieserman (Connor Murphy) and Ciara Alyse Harris (Alana Beck).
Matarazzo’s role will provide a sweet reunion for the actor and Phillips, who starred together inPriscillaa decade ago.
For tickets, visitwww.dearevanhansen.com.
source: people.com
