'Dear Evan Hansen' Star Ben Platt Responds To Angry And Disappointed Fans
By Austin TracyUpdated
Sometimes people take for granted that actors and actresses are people too. They put their souls into their performances, which is usually what makes the great parts so good. Sometimes after a show, especially on Broadway, when it is a live performance night after nigh, the actors and actresses might just want to sit back and unwind in their dressing rooms while reflecting on the performance. Maybe replay the good and bad parts in their heads. Or maybe just kick back and relax.
Dear Evan Hansen has been Broadway's smash hit, winning multiple Tony Awards including Best Actor for a Musical. The show examines depression, suicide, and bullying. The role of Evan Hansen is an incredibly draining character. When star and Broadway breakout sensation, Ben Platt, didn't show up to take photographs at the stage door, he began to be harassed on Twitter to the point of having to put out a statement.
Ben Platt's performance in Dear Evan Hansen is a performance for the ages, so it's no wonder people want to meet him at the stage door afterward.
So when he didn't show up at the stage door at every performance, some angry fans took to Twitter to harass him.
@DearEvanHansen What a way to disrespect your fans. Stagedoor really rude. Ben you suck and you are not that cute. https://t.co/iy0r6zeos1
— Diana McLaughlin (@dianamclaughlin) July 2, 2017
As this one Twitter user continued to harass Ben, other twitter users came to defend Platt.
What kind of delusional person thinks the rest of our city should be grateful she's here? pic.twitter.com/VAw7UT4Som
— Sarah Ann Leahy (@SarahAnnLeahy) July 3, 2017
ITS👏NOT👏HIS👏JOB👏TO👏MEET👏YOU👏ITS👏HIS👏JOB👏TO👏PERFORM👏8👏TIMES👏A👏WEEK👏HE👏DOESN'T👏HAVE👏TO👏MEET👏YOU👏
— trash child (@megan__booth) July 3, 2017
Diana, you're a disgrace to musical theater. The entire cast of DEH works tirelessly to provide an outstanding show and story every evening.
— Jamie Larounis (@TheForwardCabin) July 4, 2017
As someone who truly cares about his fans, Ben responded on twitter.
— Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) July 3, 2017
I don't know about you, but this man just proved he's not only talented; he's an amazing person.
And his fans couldn't agree with him and stand by his side more.
Performances are not petting zoos. https://t.co/b0YMSLsmQW
— Linda Holmes (@nprmonkeysee) July 3, 2017
He's the Mark Rylance of Music Theatre... the fact that that even exists....?!?!💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
— Garrett Long (@GarrettLongnyc) July 3, 2017
Cynthia Erivo had to release a very similar message during her Color Purple run about not stage dooring. https://t.co/qDvUQcX4hn
— Kevin O'Keeffe (@kevinpokeeffe) July 3, 2017
we adore you and you don't owe an explanation. For every one Diana, there's a thousand of us cheering for you. 💙
— Sarah Ann Leahy (@SarahAnnLeahy) July 4, 2017
— Laura Dreyfuss (@lauradreyfuss) July 3, 2017
Ben Platt, you're amazing and we're so happy for your success. Don't let any of the haters bring you down, because even at its worst, "you will be found."
H/T: Twitter