The new Broadway national tour of DEAR EVAN HANSEN has hit the road and is headed to Springfield! We’re sitting down with cast members from the show to hear about their journey with the Tony Award-winning musical and their experience on tour. First up, we have Gabriel Vernon Nunag, who brings the role of Jared Kleinman to life in DEAR EVAN HANSEN. From balancing travel with a busy performance schedule to sharing memorable moments on stage, Gabriel gives us a peek into his world.

GABRIEL VERNON NUNAG (Jared Kleinman). Professional debut! Proud AMDA LA alumni: BFA. Much love to my family, friends, teachers, and Take 3 Talent! Regional: Spring Awakening (Moritz), In The Heights (Benny). “I will carve my own path for myself.” @gabrielnunag

What was your path to becoming a professional performer?

I started singing at a young age in a church choir. As I grew up, I started breaking into more music genres, pop, contemporary, RnB. I didn’t start pursuing acting and musical theater until I was in high school. I did community theater in my hometown of Ventura, California as a hobby– I didn’t realize I wanted it to become my career until I was in my last year in high school. Up until that point, I wanted to work in the health sciences like my parents did. When I got accepted to AMDA Los Angeles, I knew I was meant to have a life in the arts, and I’m so grateful that I made that choice.

What is a favorite onstage or offstage memory with your castmates?

So many! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard as I do with them. Something as mundane as getting dinner together, playing video games in each other’s rooms, exploring where we travel, it’s all great. Makena (Alana Beck), Alex (Connor Murphy) and I have been playing a lot (really, A LOT) of Fortnite together recently and it’s been so much fun. While we were finishing up our run in Houston, Hatty (Zoe Murphy) celebrated her birthday with us, and took us to her favorite ice cream place to celebrate. It was just nice to have our cast, crew, and band together for a brief moment to celebrate.

What do you think makes DEAR EVAN HANSEN stand out from other contemporary musicals?

I think Dear Evan Hansen  stands out from other musicals by really being on the nose about mental health and one’s want for connection in a way that’s never been seen before. It’s also refreshing to see a show from a teenager’s perspective. These years are so primitive to one’s identity, and starts the framework for what you want the rest of your life to be. The script and score are so effortlessly crafted in a way that grips the audience, but also progresses the story without missing a beat. It has the special magnetism that keeps your eyes glued to the stage. The music written and composed by Pasek and Paul is just ear candy as well.

Do you have any pre-show traditions you do backstage that help you get in the zone before each performance?

I do! I start every show with two things. I hug Michael Fabisch (Evan Hansen) in the wings during the pre-show announcement, and fist bump Alex Pharo (Connor Murphy) before our scene together. This has been something we’ve been doing since our rehearsals in New York. I also think a good vocal and physical warm up is crucial as well. With how demanding this show is, you really need to prepare!

What was your audition process like for this show?

I love this question. For Dear Evan Hansen specifically, I’ve been auditioning for the show for the past 5 years. I went to the Los Angeles open call in 2019 my junior year of college. Every year, I’d submit, audition, get called back, and go back and forth for years! As the years have gone by, I auditioned for basically every male role. I had a feeling that when my agent sent me the audition for it this year, it was going to be the one. I found out I was offered the role on my mom’s birthday, we hugged and cried together after I got off the phone with my agent.

What is something about life on tour that might surprise people?

As much as we’re having a blast on the road, I think the biggest thing that surprises people is…. YOU NEED SLEEP! It’s so much fun to travel with your favorite people and do the show, but you have to, have to make sure you’re taking care of yourself! I underestimated how fast my battery goes out, and I’ve had to listen to what my body is feeling despite what my mind says. You must be vigilant and make sure you’re doing well mentally, physically, and emotionally. OH! Pack light. Please. I didn’t think that through enough.

Dream role?

I’m so lucky to say that I’ve got to perform some of them already. With Dear Evan Hansen off my bucket list, I’d love to revisit Spring Awakening again. I was fortunate enough to play Moritz back while I was in college. Another dream role I was so happy to do was Benny in In The Heights. With my love for RnB and rap, Benny was the perfect mix of my pop background and musical theater training. On that same note, I would do anything to play Burr in Hamilton when I’m older. While in New York for rehearsal, Micheal Perez (Alternate Evan, Connor Understudy) and I were able to watch the new musical The Outsiders together. We’ve made it our life’s mission for him to play Ponyboy, and myself as his Johnny Cade.

What item can’t you live without on tour?

My Nintendo Switch has been a lifesaver. While on our tour bus I’ve just been catching up on my back log video games. Lots of Persona 3, Fortnite, Mario Party, and Vampire Survivors. It’s also perfect for a group setting because I can bug my castmates to play with me when I get bored! Having some noise canceling headphones comes in clutch too. Don’t know what I’d do without them!

What’s your current favorite song or artist you’ve been listening to on repeat?

With how broad my music taste is, so so much. I’ve been listening to a lot of the jazz artist Laufey lately. Her song “Fragile” is just so beautiful! On the same note, I recently found out about this Korean RnB group called Wave to Earth, and their music is very calming to listen to, and even more fun to sing. My favorite RnB artist, Mac Ayres is also really mellow to listen to if I just want to study, go over my lines, and walk around. If I want something more upbeat, I go into more prime K-pop, groups like Aespa and Stray Kids are the perfect pre show hype up. My old reliable is Bruno Mars, I’ve been listening to him since I was a kid. His new song with Lady Gaga (Die With a Smile) has been on repeat since it came out a month ago.

What’s your favorite theater you’ve ever performed in?

So far in the run, I loved Theatre Under the Stars in Houston! The audiences were so lovely and respectful, and the space itself was so gorgeous. I would love to perform there again one day.

 

DEAR EVAN HANSEN plays three performances at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, October 8-10, as part of the 2024-2025 Great Southern Bank Broadway Season. Visit HammonsHall.com to learn more and purchase your tickets today!