and the di erences between people, which is interesting because he’s usually in another world,” Laura says, re ecting on how Daniel has changed because of DEH . “It has de nitely given himmore con dence.” Daniel agrees that he has changed through listening to the DEH songs. “It really helpedme with that time in my life, and made me feel a littlemore comfortable anda little less upset and ‘trapped in the dark.’” However, DEH has not convincedDaniel that he shouldbe a performer when he grows up; he holds steadfast to his dream of following in his father’s footsteps as a police o cer. “I’d be helping the world around
disorder. is is an incredibly important takeaway for parents who throw up their hands, who can’t get their children to listen, who want them to get better but instead see ambivalence and opposition. Finding yourself— helping yourself—amid the tumult and mixed messages of adolescence is hard for even the most well adjusted teen. It is a real challenge for those who struggle with unseen problems like anxiety or depression.” DEH succinctly demonstrates the di erent layers of this challenge, and Child Mind Institute’s patients continue to respond favorably.
extends beyond the world of mental health is what makes DEH so authentic. “ e real connection I found in being a parent is just how important the dialogue is, and how you should talk to your kids and be there for them.” When Mindich nds herself standing in the back of the Music Box eatre, she is o en told secrets and stories from other parents. “ eir stories make me feel a lot better about myself, because I realize that we can’t always be there talking to our kids, but even just being in the same room every once in a while and being there for them is actually really helpful. ere’s this little club that
me and protecting people, and I don’t want people to be picked on or messed with; police o cers can stop that.” DEH has better equipped Daniel with the tools he needs to deal with bullies in the future.
forms of strangers in the theatre every night who walk out talking about these things!” e ideas in the show are certainly universal, and Koplewicz points to two speci cmessages
“Finding yourself—helping yourself—amid the tumult and mixed messages of adolescence is hard for even the most well adjusted teen. It is a real challenge for those who struggle with unseen problems like anxiety or depression.”
He says he would stay calm and would ght back, if necessary. “I think I would feel stronger too.” ePellegrini family’s re ection on DEH is not uncommon. “People see their friends and family in these characters,” says Koplewicz. “ ey are seeing the truth, and they are open to spreading the message and changing their attitudes.” Mindich says that the show has received more than thousands of letters, emails and Tweets from “people who share very bare, true stories about themselves, or their kids or their brothers, or how this
that are changing thewaypeople think. “On the outside, young people are aware that they are struggling, that they want connection, and that they want to reach out for help if other people are there to meet them,” he says of the rst point. “ e other message is about parents. Over and over I am struck by theplain truthof this lyric: ‘Does anybody have a map?’ Telling the stories of whole families, letting people relate to people with di erent challenges than they have, is vital and central to busting stigma and improving
MIKE FAIST AND BEN PLATT
PHOTO BYMATTHEWMURPHY
Starting a dialogue Young adults are not the only people experiencing the far-reaching hands of DEH. Adults with and without their own children are relating to all of the characters in the show. “I think the four young people we’re presented with in this show have similar, very adult problems, even though they’re 17 and 18,” says Will Roland, who plays Evan’s friend Jared. “That is a very important takeaway, because the adults in the show share 30-years-older versions of the same problems, an inability to communicate, a feeling of not being seen by those around them, and a feeling of not being accepted.” Mindich notes the fact that the show
show helped them accept who they are.” She notes that much of the correspondence quotes Platt’s Tony Award acceptance speech, in which he said: “ e things that make you strange make you powerful.” “It was a potent way of making people feel better,” saysMindich fondly. Child Mind Institute’s patients have experienced tremendous change after having experienced DEH. Koplewicz points to its relatability in that Evan’s journey is not classically heroic. “[Evan] ends the play in a place of apprehension and confusion, shame balanced with hope,” he says. “It doesn’t get more relatable for the millions of teens just like him who are ‘tapping on the glass,’ particularly those who are struggling to nd themselves while coping with an anxiety
openness and access to care.” For L aur a Pel l eg r i n i, t he show compounded much of what she already knew about Daniel’s challenges with communication, but it also reminded her of how important it is to be able and willing to listen to her children. “I tell all parents now that they need to really listen to their kids and hear what they’re saying,” she says of what she has taken away from DEH. “ ey’re trying to tell you something. Daniel was trying to tell me something, and Ben gave him the words.” --- Iris Wiener is an entertainment writer and theatre critic. Visit her at IrisWiener.com or on Twitter @Iris_Wiener *
WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM 65
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker