Isaac Powell, the star of West Side Story on Broadway directed by Ivo van Hove, has been cast in the upcoming Dear Evan Hansen film from Universal. This film will mark Powell’s feature film debut.
Powell will play high school jock Rhys in the feature adaptation of the six-time Tony-winning Broadway musical, as reported by Deadline. Previously announced, he will join a cast featuring Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Danny Pino, Amandla Stenberg, Colton Ryan, and Nik Dodani.
Steven Levenson, who wrote the book for the stage musical, also wrote the script for this upcoming film adaptation. Stephen Chbosky, most well known for directing and writing The Perks of Being a Wallflower as well as writing the screenplay for Rent and Beauty and the Beast, is slated to direct. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce for their Universal-based Marc Platt Productions.
Isaac Powell plays the role of Tony in West Side Story and has received critical praise and rave reviews for his performance. He made his Broadway debut as Daniel in the 2017 Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island, directed by Michael Arden.