Dear Evan Hansen: Behind the Scenes With Ben Platt and the Cast of Broadway's Inspiring Smash

“To be originating a role is a lifelong dream,” says Ben Platt, the star of Dear Evan Hansen. The gut-wrenching musical about a high-schooler with a crippling secret, featuring an original score by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, book by Steven Levenson, and direction by Tony winner Michael Greif, is the buzziest thing to hit The Great White Way since 2015’s Hamilton, and has nine Tony nominations to prove it—including ones for Best Musical and for Platt himself.

EW stepped backstage with Platt and the rest of the Hansen cast (and casts) earlier this year. Keep clicking to see more photos from that shoot.