POCATELLO — Idaho State University’s Department of Performing Arts is preparing to make theatrical history in the Gem State, mounting what organizers say will be the first non-professional production of the acclaimed musical “Dear Evan Hansen” ever staged in Idaho.
The production is part of ISU’s 2026 Farm Bureau Summer Theatre program and places the university among a select group of educational and amateur organizations nationwide granted rights to perform the show, according to a March announcement from the department. Rights to stage the musical have only recently become available to non-professional companies, making the Pocatello production a notable milestone for regional theater.
A Story Built for Today’s Audiences
The musical centers on the title character’s journey through a complicated misunderstanding — one that leads him to falsely claim a friendship with a troubled classmate who died by suicide. The story explores themes of isolation, connection, and the modern human tendency to feel profoundly alone even while surrounded by others.
Director Jef Petersen, an assistant professor of theater at ISU, described the show’s appeal as rooted in its honest portrayal of contemporary life. “It’s a story that’s very relatable, because it’s about some of the ways in modern life we end up feeling very alone,” Petersen said, “and some of the ways that we work to bridge that connection with other people.”
Petersen also pointed to the musical score as a major draw. The production will feature a full live orchestra, which he views as central to the audience experience. Music director Diana Livingston Friedley and artistic director Tara Young both championed assembling the largest cast possible, drawing on both ISU students and community members. That approach has resulted in 20 named cast members, with several lead roles performed by two alternating actors across the six scheduled performances. A large ensemble rounds out the company.
Idaho audiences haven’t seen the show performed since the touring production visited Boise in 2022, making the ISU staging a long-awaited opportunity for Southeast Idaho theatergoers.
Preview Events Lead Up to June Opening
Before opening night, ISU is offering the public two opportunities to experience the show early. On Saturday, May 31, cast members will perform a medley of roughly five songs from the production at Lookout Point during the Portneuf Valley Farmer’s Market, beginning at 10 a.m. Petersen described it as a chance to give audiences “a good sampling of what the music for the show is like.”
A second preview opportunity comes on Friday, June 5, when an open rehearsal will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend and watch scenes and musical numbers in an informal setting ahead of the full production.
The six-show run opens Friday, June 12, with additional performances on June 13, 15, 18, 19, and 20 — all at 7:30 p.m. in the Bistline Theatre at ISU’s Stephens Performing Arts Center. With alternating casts for several key roles, theatergoers who attend multiple performances may see different actors in the same parts, adding variety across the run.
The production adds to a busy summer of community events in Pocatello. The city has seen a range of gatherings in recent weeks, including Memorial Day tributes honoring local veterans and fallen service members across the region.
What Comes Next
Audiences interested in catching a preview can attend Saturday’s Farmer’s Market performance at Lookout Point or the June 5 open rehearsal at Trinity Episcopal Church before the full production opens June 12. Tickets and additional information are expected to be available through ISU’s Stephens Performing Arts Center. Pocatello residents and visitors from across Southeast Idaho are encouraged to take advantage of what organizers are billing as a rare opportunity to see a landmark Broadway musical performed locally for the first time.