In this exclusive interview, Aesthetic and Lifestyle Editor Jerrod Sumner sits down with Buffalo, Minnesota native Michael Fabisch, the talented actor starring in the national tour of “Dear Evan Hansen.” The show is headed to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts March 11-16.
They delve into Fabisch’s intensive preparation for the role and explore the timely significance of sharing Evan Hansen’s poignant story in today’s world. Join them as they uncover the layers of this character and discuss the musical’s impact on audiences navigating the complexities of modern life.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made
This is your first Broadway tour. What a way to start your post-college career! You must be excited to be doing ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’
I’ve had so much fun, and the cast has made it all the better because we’re all just so close. So, it’s a dream show, dream people to be with. The schedule is fun because I get to visit so many different cities. It feels a little unstable because I’m in so many different places and some cities for only one night, so that can feel a little bit disorienting, but for the most part, it’s just nice being able to see different parts of the United States.
What does it mean to you to perform for your hometown audience at the Ordway? Was it always your dream to be on that stage?
When I chose this career, I first thought, ‘I really hope that I get to go on a tour and perform somewhere in the Twin Cities, so that people can see what I do and where my journey has led me.’ So yeah, it really means a lot to me that I’ll be back sharing my journey with ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’
Tell me a little bit about how you prepare as Evan before each performance… because he’s a difficult little guy.
He is, yeah. It’s important to me that I am portraying my most authentic self. I think that inauthenticity can be easy to see from an audience’s perspective. The most important thing that I do before every show is just sit down and reflect on how I’m feeling and making sure that when I’m on stage, I am not trying to be something that I’m not, or trying to be something that isn’t congruent to Evan.
I prepare myself with a meditation before the show. I drink a lot of Throat Coat because it’s a really big sing. I think of the show’s stakes, of how he feels if he gets attention or doesn’t get it, and of how if he’s alone for the rest of his life, that’s a lot of pressure on him. He feels like he drives people away from him. He feels like he drove his dad away from him. He feels like he’s driving his mom away from him. He feels like he’s driving all of his friends away from him. He puts a lot of pressure on himself at the beginning of the show. And so, I kind of feel that pressure, but I don’t put that on myself. I think it’s important that I’m not internalizing too much of what Evan is going through, because otherwise that’s really tough to do every night, and that’s not sustainable.
What do you want audiences to take away from this production, especially people who haven’t seen the musical before?
It’s important to know that everyone is struggling and going through something that you can’t necessarily see from the outside, especially if you’re not asking questions or if you don’t know someone. But no one’s in it alone. Everyone can understand what it’s like to go through stuff. So reach out to the people closest to you. Make sure you’re talking to the people you love. The most powerful thing you can do is just talk to each other and communicate honestly.
I think being honest about how you’re feeling is important because if you’re not honest with the people around you, then they’re not going to be able to know that you’re struggling, and they won’t be able to help you, and then you’re alone. That’s something that you do to yourself. I think that’s an illusion the mind conjures, this feeling of isolation. But it’s not true. It’s totally fake. And there are so many people around you to help.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman
Well said. Are you sure you weren’t a philosophy major?
I love that, I’m a very existential person, so it helps.
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show that you just can’t wait to perform every night?
Oh, man. I like the comedic moments that I have. I love hearing the audience react, you know, just the moments where there’s a lot of tension because of a dramatic moment. At the end of the song ‘For Forever,’ there’s a lot of tension because I’ve just told this huge lie and then there’s a lot of feelings going on… And then Jared [Svoboda, who plays Larry Murphy] comes on stage, and he has this one-liner, and the audience erupts. I just love those moments because you can feel the audience take a breath. Another one is at the end of the show. I have a one-liner, and I can just hear people let go because they’re like, ‘I haven’t heard a joke in about 15 minutes.’ So that’s lovely, to hear and feel the audience just relax a bit.
Has playing Evan changed your perspective on mental health? Are you the same person you were before taking on this role?
I’ve also struggled with mental issues in my life, so it’s helped me reflect on my own experience with mental illness. That’s the thing I was talking about with loneliness and being alone. I think that perspective has been nurtured throughout the show. I’ve learned less to trust that instinct in my brain to tell me lies. I can tell when my brain is lying to me. I think that is a skill I’ve nurtured by playing this role… by analyzing this character and looking at where his brain lies to him. It’s helped me realize where my brain might lie to me.
Talk to me about any dream roles. Anything you’re looking forward to, or anything you’re auditioning for?
Honestly, roles come to me when I’m ready for them. When I think of a dream role, it’s usually when there’s an opportunity to play it. There aren’t many roles that I’m really gunning for. I love Seymour in ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ It’s a character I would love to play. I love Quasimodo in ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ That’s a show I’d love to do just because of the choral. Honestly, any role, I would love to be a choral member in that show. I just love that music. It’s so deep and powerful that I’d love to do it.
I’d love to do an original show at some point to create my character. I think that it’s really important to me to be able to do original work. But honestly, I’m just here for whatever work comes to me. I think things will happen the way they’re supposed to happen. I’m excited for whatever is next in my career, but I’m not necessarily gunning for anything in particular right now.
What are you excited to show your castmates about St. Paul or Minnesota, where you grew up?
The artistic culture that a lot of people don’t realize Minnesota has. Every time I say I’m from Minnesota, people are like, ‘Oh, Michigan.’ I want to show them the Walker, just show them around the city, show them the parks, show them Mall of America.
Any final thoughts on Evan Hansen?
I’m really excited for people from all walks of my life to come see it, and for the people who know me and don’t know me to come see it. It’s a very special show. I think that it inspires a lot of conversation. And I think in our society right now, conversation is the most important thing that we can have with each other.
Minnesota Monthly is dedicated to the ‘Spirit of Minnesota.’ What does that phrase mean to you?
Oh man, I feel like the Spirit of Minnesota is so many things. The epitome is when two people bump into each other and then both say sorry to each other. That’s Minnesota. We’re so polite and focused on the experience of others and making sure that we’re helping other people and not just ourselves. I think Minnesota’s culture is very altruistic in that way, which I love.
Tickets for “Dear Evan Hansen” at the Ordway are available for purchase online.
