Forrest Theatre

COMING SOON

DEAR EVAN HANSEN - PHILADELPHIA PA

Dear Evan Hansen is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in.

The winner of six Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Dear Evan Hansen opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on December 4, 2016, where it’s broken all box office records and has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike.

‘One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.’ - The Washington Post

‘A gorgeous musical for anyone with a beating heart.’ - The New York Times

‘Dear Evan Hansen, thanks for finding us. We've been waiting for a musical like you.’- Time Magazine

‘A transformative, original and thrillingly emotional new musical that delivers a direct jolt to the heart. It sweeps you up in raw emotion like no other show on Broadway.’- Time Out NY

“A game changer that hits you like a shot in the heart.” – Rolling Stone

‘That rare show that connects and enlightens all of us! As deeply universal and utterly compelling as anything you're likely to see on stage.’ - NY1

‘An inspirational anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond. Dear Evan Hansen is a message of hope shining on center stage for all to see.’ - NBC Nightly News

Dear Evan Hansen - Philadelphia PA Show Tickets | Dear Evan Hansen - Philadelphia PA Show Schedule

HISTORY

The Forrest is a quintessential "road house", used primarily by touring theatre and dance companies. It was built in 1927 to compete with rival A.L. Erlanger’s planned new playhouse at Market and 21st Streets. The Shuberts intended the new playhouse--named after Edwin Forrest, the great Philadelphia born tragic actor of the nineteenth century--to surpass Erlanger's new theatre in terms of size and splendor.

ARCHITECTURE

The Forrest is one of architect Herbert J. Krapp's final theatre designs and also one of his more elaborate. Built at a cost of over $2,000,000, it boasted many modern conveniences including wider seats in the orchestra, a smoking room for both men and ladies in the lower lounge and state of the art ventilation and electrical systems. The interior was sumptuously decorated with gilt Adam detailing and silk brocade. The dressing rooms are housed in a separate building and connected by an underground tunnel to the Forrest’s stage.

Access Information 
Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps into the theatre from the sidewalk. Please be advised that where there are steps either into or within the theatre, we are unable to provide assistance.

Accessibility by Seating Section 
Orchestra Location: Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. There are no steps to the designated wheelchair seating location. 

Mezzanine Location: Located on the 2nd Level, up 2 flights of stairs (30 steps). Please Note: The entrance to the 2nd Level is at the east end of the Grand Foyer. 

Rear Mezzanine Location: Located on the 2nd Level, behind the Mezzanine. The upper rear Mezzanine landing has a rear exit which connects with Mezzanine exits in the theatre. There is a total of 66 steps.

Handrails: Available at the end of every stepped seat row in the Mezzanine.

Wheelchair | Companion Seat Locations:Orchestra:
Y115 | Y114, Y113, Y112; Y2 | Y4, Y6, Y8; Y23 | Y21, Y19, Y17; Y27 | X25, X27, X29; G21| G19, G17, G15; G22 | G20, G18, G16

Aisle Seat with Folding Armrest | Companion Locations:
Orchestra: T1 | T3; T2 | T4; V101 | V102; V114 | V113; R28 | R26; R27 | R25; T28 | T26; T29 | T27; V29 | V27
Mezzanine: E101 | E102; E114 | E113

Elevators/Escalator
None Available

Payphone
Located in the Box Office lobby (accessible).

Restroom 
There is a wheelchair accessible (unisex) restroom on the street level with no steps.

Water Fountain
Located in the unisex restroom on the main level (accessible).

Theatre Policies
The use of cameras, recording devices, cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices during the performance is prohibited. Everyone attending a performance must have a ticket. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Wheelchair and mobility-impaired seating is intended for patrons with mobility disabilities. Children under the age of four years will not be admitted. No outside food or beverage permitted, unless medically necessary. No weapons permitted on the premises.

The opening performance was The Red Robe (1928), starring Walter Woolf and Evelyn Herbert. Many musicals, dramas and comedies have been launched from the Forrest. Yiddish Theatre, one man shows, dance programs, Gilbert & Sullivan productions and the Philadelphia Orchestra have all graced this stage.

Some notable Broadway shows which tried-out at this venue before debuting on Broadway include The Music Man (1957), Carnival (1961), Sail Away (1961), Bravo Giovanni (1962), Funny Girl (1963) starring Barbra Streisand, Holly Golightly (1965) —the first show at the Forrest where ticket prices broke $10.00, Sugar (1965), Golden Rainbow (1967), Brainchild (1969), The Wiz (1970), 70 Girls 70 (1973), Bob Fosse's Chicago (1975) starring Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, Prince of Grand Street (1976), 1600 Pennsylvania Ave (1976), When Hell Freezes Over I'll Skate (1977), I Love My Wife (1977), and Sophisticated Ladies (1980).

National tours which began here include Zorba (1967) and A Little Night Music (1973).

THEATRE SPECS

Forrest Theatre, Philadelphia
1114 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19107

SEATING CHART