Dear Evan Hansen actress Talia Simone Robinson becomes the first Black actor to play Zoe Murphy in the Broadway company. She succeeds departing cast member Gabrielle Carrubba. Robinson steps into the role of Zoe Murphy full time as of May 3, 2022. Previously, Talia was understudying the roles of Zoe and Alana.
Talia’s Journey to Broadway
Robinson is no stranger to leading roles. She was previously understudying Eponine and Fantine in the National Tour of Les Miserables in 2017. She was working on tour for two years before joining the Broadway company of Dear Evan Hansen. Robinson also maintains credits from working regionally at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and the North Carolina Theatre.
As mentioned on her website, her goal is to create new work and motivate young actors of color to pursue their dreams while she continues to pursue her own. Taking on the role of Zoe Murphy is definitely a step towards realizing her dream.
Piser and Whitely
Later this month, she will be joined by another history-making actor. Zachary Noah Piser, the current Evan alternate, continues to work with the Broadway company after joining the Dear Evan Hansen team in March 2019. In February of this year, it was announced that he would be assuming the role of Evan Hansen on a permanent basis from May 17. This makes Piser the first Asian-American actor to take on the role full-time.
Talia Simone Robinson will not only be making history by stepping into the role of Zoe Murphy. She is also making space for Broadway newcomer D’Kaylah Unique Whitley who will step into the Zoe Murphy/Alana Beck understudy track.
Evan Hansen’s Success Story
Dear Evan Hansen began previews in November 2016 before opening a few weeks later that December. The stage musical, which won the Best Musical Tony Award in 2017 and received 9 nominations, remains highly successful. In September 2021, a film entitled Dear Evan Hansen premiered starring Broadway’s original Evan, Ben Platt.
No wonder Dear Evan Hansen is a huge success! It speaks directly to adolescents dealing with their own mental health battles. The message that speaks to everyone comes through how they show humanity of families trying their best when times get tough.
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