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SALT LAKE CITY — It's been nearly three years since COVID-19 shut down the Eccles Theater in the middle of its run of the national tour of "Dear Evan Hansen."
The Tony Award-winning musical was just two days away from ending its 10-day run in Salt Lake when Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued an order to cancel or postpone gatherings of 100 people or more, in the wake of the burgeoning pandemic.
Thousands of Utah fans of "Dear Evan Hansen" missed their chance to see the musical, and will now get another chance, as the touring production returns to the Eccles Theater on Tuesday, Feb. 28, through March 5.
Ogden resident Blair Blumenscheid was devastated when the pandemic shut down the Eccles theater and her chance to finally see "Dear Evan Hansen."
She had tried to see it three other times to no avail in New York City and Ohio. Sold-out shows, moves to new states, and changing plans with friends always put a wrench in things.
The self-proclaimed Broadway lover has waited patiently for the "Dear Evan Hansen" tour to make its way back to Salt Lake City. Wednesday can't come soon enough for Blumenscheid.
"I'm hoping five is the charm," she said. Including the COVID-19-related cancellation, Blumenscheid has missed four opportunities to see the show.
In the 16 months since Broadway returned to Salt Lake City, Broadway and the Eccles touring productions have generated more than $150 million in economic impact to the local area, said Jay Hamburger, vice president of Mountain for Broadway Across America.
"Broadway is such an important part of our community in Utah and when 'Dear Evan Hansen' had to close in March 2020 the reality of the pandemic really hit so many of us close to home," he said. "It would take nearly 20 months for Broadway to return to the Eccles Theater and the loss of Broadway was not only a loss of live theater and the joy it brings but a loss of jobs for many including in the Broadway community, as well as the jobs that are supported locally by Broadway."
Hamburger continued, saying that "having 'Dear Evan Hansen' return so triumphantly to Eccles is really a full circle moment for what we went through as an industry and community."
The original Broadway production of "Dear Evan Hansen," which tells the story of a teenager with social anxiety disorder who comes to terms with his mental health, won six Tony Awards and the cast album won a Grammy Award.
The production runs through March 5 at the Eccles Theater. Tickets are available at ArtTix.org.
