![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/DTD-L-EVANHANSEN-0904.jpg\")
Michael Gibson in the role of Evan Hansen in a production of “Dear Evan Hansen,” on stage at Players Club of Swarthmore from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. (COURTESY OF ABBY SCHECHTER)
\n\u2018Dear Evan Hansen\u2019 at Players Club Theater this month<\/p>\n
Players Club of Swarthmore Theater continues its 115th season with the acclaimed contemporary musical \u201cDear Evan Hansen,\u201d featuring a unique double-cast production that places authenticity and lived experience at the center of this deeply human story.<\/p>\n
Performances run Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 4 at PCS Theater on the Main Stage, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore.<\/p>\n
Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d explores connection, isolation, family, grief, social media, and the complicated human desire to be seen and understood.<\/p>\n
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the production follows Evan Hansen, a high school student struggling to find his place in the world, whose life changes dramatically when a misunderstanding grows into something far larger than he ever imagined.<\/p>\n
For director Anne Marie Scalies, bringing the production to the PCS stage began with a commitment to authenticity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was vital to me that teenagers play teenagers and real-life parents play the parents,\u201d said Scalies. \u201cEvery hesitation, every argument, every awkward silence, every attempt by a parent to reach a child, and every attempt by a teenager to be understood has been informed by lived experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production also examines how quickly perception can become accepted as reality, particularly in a world shaped by social media. \u201cA story is shared, a post is liked, a comment is repeated, and suddenly perception can take on a life of its own,\u201d Scalies says. \u201cIn a world where social media gives everyone a voice, we sometimes forget that there is a human being on the other side of the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d asks audiences to consider the impact of online interactions, the mental health challenges that can exist behind carefully constructed public images, and the complicated relationships between parents and their children.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents may desperately want to protect their children, but love alone cannot always shield someone from the struggles taking place within them,\u201d Scalies stated. \u201cAt the same time, young people may not always have the language to communicate what they are experiencing.\u201d<\/p>\n
PCS Theater\u2019s production is presented with two companies, named in recognition of the musical\u2019s Philadelphia-area songwriting team, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.<\/p>\n
The production features two rotating casts in several principal roles. The Pasek Cast features Michael Gibson as Evan Hansen, Liz Murgidi as Heidi Hansen, Isabella Box as Zoe Murphy, Max Keating as Connor Murphy, Liz Wheeler as Cynthia Murphy, and Brian Walden as Larry Murphy.<\/p>\n
The Paul Cast features Landyn Pollard as Evan Hansen, Rebecca Buswell as Heidi Hansen, Serena Barone as Zoe Murphy, Dylan Attas as Connor Murphy, Deirdre McGettigan Henry as Cynthia Murphy, and Rob Henry as Larry Murphy.<\/p>\n
Appearing with both casts are Will Bryan as Jared Kleinman, Amaya Howard as Alana Beck, with Nina Kilgore, Erin Corey, Gloria Rose, Ari MacDonald, and Shawn Weaver in the Ensemble.<\/p>\n
The Pasek Cast performs Sept. 18, 20, 26, 27 and Oct. 2, while the Paul Cast performs September 19, 25, 26, Oct. 1 and 3.<\/p>\n
Adding to the emotional power of \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d is an orchestra under the direction of music director and conductor Jeff Smith. Under Smith\u2019s musical direction, the orchestra provides the musical heartbeat of the production, bringing the soaring score and its most intimate moments to life alongside the performers onstage.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d explores complex and potentially sensitive themes, including suicide and suicide loss, anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles, grief, social isolation, bullying, family conflict, deception, emotional distress, and the pressures and harmful effects of social media. The production also includes strong language and emotionally intense situations. Suggestion of suicide occurs offstage but is central to the story and is discussed throughout the production. Audience discretion is encouraged.<\/p>\n
PCS Theater has plenty of free, on-site parking. Tickets and additional information are available at http:\/\/PCSTheater.org.<\/a><\/p>\n Founded in 1911, PCS Theater has been a cornerstone of community theater in Delaware County for over a century. What began as a small group of local performers has blossomed into a thriving organization, dedicated to bringing high-quality theatrical experiences to to the community.<\/p>\n PCS Theater is entirely volunteer-run, with a rich history that includes productions of classic plays, contemporary works, children\u2019s programming and musical theater.<\/p>\n Friends of the Ridley Park Library to hold shredding fundraiser<\/p>\n The Friends of the Ridley Park Library have announced the return of its annual shredding event on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Ridley Park Lake on West Ridley Avenue.<\/p>\n The event will be held at the Ridley Park Maintenance Department Facility by the lake. J & K Secure Shredding LLC will be on-site with their shredding truck.<\/p>\n Community members are invited to bring their personal papers and sensitive documents to be securely shredded while they wait, providing peace of mind and helping to protect against identity theft.<\/p>\n This event is offered at no charge. However, donations are greatly appreciated and will directly support the ongoing programs and services of the Ridley Park Library. The fundraiser will proceed rain or shine.<\/p>\n For more information about the shredding event, or to learn more about the services offered by the Ridley Park Library, visit http:\/\/ridleyparklibrary.org <\/a>or call 610-583-7207.<\/p>\n Italian Cultural Center to host Wine Festival<\/p>\n The Italian Cultural Center of the Delaware Valley inside the Lazaretto Building, 97 Wanamaker Ave., Essington, will present their Second Annual Wine Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Adults are invited to stroll along the Delaware waterfront and enjoy wine, food and curated vendors.<\/p>\n The free event will include a live winemaking demonstration. Donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, email ICCDelVal@gmail.com or go to: http:\/\/ICCDelVal.org.<\/a><\/p>\n The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County will present gardening programs for all home gardeners on select Saturdays this fall at Smedley Park in Springfield.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Oct. 10, \u201cPreparing Your Soil for Winter\u201d is the topic from 10 a.m. to noon. The program will teach participants how to prepare soil for winter to reduce erosion, improve fertility, and support healthy plant growth.<\/p>\n Attendees can learn practical strategies to protect their soil and prepare for the next growing season. Whether tending a home garden or managing a larger plot, this session will provide practical strategies for preparing soil for winter and planning for a stronger, healthier growing season by building a solid foundation beneath plants.<\/p>\n The registration deadline for this session is Oct. 9. The cost to attend the event is $10. To learn more about the session and to register: https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/good-gardening-saturday-preparing-your-soil-for-winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n The next program offered will be \u201cAll About Mushrooms,\u201d on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Smedley Park.<\/p>\n Participants can explore the fascinating world of fungi as a mycologist introduces mushroom morphology, ecology, biodiversity and field observation techniques.<\/p>\n Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and the Philadelphia Mycology Club will present an engaging introduction to the fascinating world of fungi.<\/p>\n A mycologist will explore mushroom morphology, ecology, and biodiversity while sharing practical guidance for making meaningful mushroom observations in the field. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for fungi and the important roles they play in our ecosystems. This presentation is not a foraging program.<\/p>\n The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 13. The cost to attend the event is $10. To learn more about the session and to register, go to: https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/good-gardening-saturday-all-about-mushrooms.<\/a><\/p>\n The Good Gardening Saturdays Series is an educational series that brings garden enthusiasts together to share experiences, offer advice, and learn helpful tips from Penn State Master Gardener experts.<\/p>\n For more information about the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program in Delaware County, visit\u00a0https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/programs\/master-gardener\/counties\/delaware.<\/a><\/p>\n Holmes Goodwill store to temporarily close<\/p>\n The Goodwill Store at 2137 MacDade Blvd., Holmes, will temporarily close for remodeling on Thursday, Sept. 10.<\/p>\n The store is making improvements to create a better shopping experience for customers, with hundreds of more items to discover when it reopens. No exact date was announced on when the store will reopen.<\/p>\n Although the retail store will be temporarily closed, the donation center at the Holmes location will remain open. Donation hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.<\/p>\n During the closure, customers can shop at nearby Goodwill stores, including the Swarthmorewood store at 725 Chester Road, Swarthmore, and the Lansdowne Goodwill Store at 201 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne.<\/p>\n Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.<\/p>\n![\"Penn](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/DTD-L-GARDENINGMUSHROOMS-0904.jpg\")
Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and the Philadelphia Mycology Club will present a program this fall at Smedley Park for people to learn about and explore the fascinating world of fungi. (COURTESY OF DOUG HENRY)
\nPenn State Extension Master Gardeners announce Fall Good Gardening Saturdays<\/p>\n