DECONSTRUCTING: Dear Evan Hansen

Join Playbill's Seth Rudetsky as he deconstructs one of Broadway's biggest hits, 'Waving Through a Window'.

[@ItsMandaGomes]

Drinking game: 1) "tip of the hat" 2) says a word that he has to explain 3) makes a reference to another musical 4) "delicious" 5) air piano fingers Happy liver poisoning. Love you Seth! We need more videos!

[@jacksonlovellnesfield8469]

manda gomes 6) "detaché"

[@jenniferaugusta4744]

“I’m obsessed with...”

[@kellydeleon5983]

6) every time he mentions Ben Platt's "appear" riff

[@Bellyoflion]

7) every time he struggles with the playback

[@RocknRollEyes]

Every time he mentions Defying Gravity

[@melanieswang9475]

"Why was I cursed with this trachea?" Same, Mr. Rudetsky. I ask that all the time. Hahaha.

[@welshgal1854]

"Ben's notes are delicious". Ben Platt's delicious full stop

[@fomoran]

I'm sure seth might be thinking the same, but he might bump into ben at some point... awkward!

[@AustinNebbia]

Only Rudetsky can spend 23 minutes on a 3 minute song. Brava.

[@emmymatt]

It takes days or months to write, compose and orchestrate. So yeah 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@derryradmirez6097]

"No bootlegging, people - you should pay for it... I had Playbill pay for it. NEITHER HERE NOR THERE!"

[@Pterribledactyl12]

I will never be able to not hear that string trill now.

[@alexeidarling]

Seth will do that to you. I will never unhear "The Wizard and Lie"

[@emmymatt]

Ikr

[@junobrosas]

"I don't know how to work this machine. Did I just delete the whole song??" Oml Seth😂😂

[@BrookeInProgress]

No one deconstructs like Seth Rudetsky

[@Phantomnightwatcher]

I'm so glad Seth is also obsessed with the "microriff" in the word "appear"!

[@girlonabookshelf4922]

I think he likes Ben Platt's voice XD

[@wibblywobbly7804]

Who doesn't

[@stephaniel2850]

^I was going to say! Who *doesn't* love Ben's voice?? It's so freaking gorgeous it's ridiculous

[@haydenanderson8804]

You think he loves Ben's? Listen to him on his multiple Patti videos.

[@poleal2232]

@@haydenanderson8804 You are absolutely right....

[@junobrosas]

Seth would love the Baroque rule that is, "If you sing the same line twice, they must be different

[@ArcusLibri]

I could watch Seth deconstruct for 10 hours straight😍

[@Fatdaddio]

gillianembers I have it is almost like binge watching, and then you get to one that stops you in your tracks because that is the show you remember and all of a sudden Seth opens a door or window to the backstory and you never see/hear it the same again

[@Fatdaddio]

He is so nice, too don't let the snark fool you he took the time walking down the street to stop and talk to the wife and me. So talented yet could spend time on the street. He was enroute to a shout because the Sirius sound crew was with him and yet we talked for 5-10 minutes and in New York time that is damn near forever.

[@harshmnr]

Just watch all the episodes of Obsessed! XD ~:~

[@drbobperkins]

100%.

[@mickeleh]

Seth Rudetsky's analysis of "Waving Through a Window" uncovers layers and layers of craft and skill in the construction of the song, the lyric, the arrangement, and, soaring above it all, the brilliantly savvy virtuoso vocal performance of Ben Platt. Thanks you so much.

[@Tom-zc9cv]

Just spent 23 minutes watching a guy talk about a 3 minute song from a musical that I’ll probably never see.

[@morgan_c]

My new favorite quotes. *”Tip of the hat.”* *”Ben Platt is amazing.”* (I already use the second one a lot.)

[@ralexd99]

I think a big reason there's the tip of the hats to Wicked is because the composer for DEH, Alex Lacilmore, also helped underscore Wicked

[@MarcLifland]

I think you mean that Alex Lacilmore is the one who arranged DEH. The composer and lyricists for DEH were Pasek and Paul.

[@Croissantsss]

Yeah, I think it's both that Alex Lacamoire orchestrated both shows, and I think I read somewhere that Stephen Schwartz (who composed Wicked) mentored Pasek and Paul, so it would make sense that they'd have similar techniques.

[@platodesired8401]

I thought it was also because Pasek and Paul worked on La La Land and Marc Platt (Ben Platt's dad) was one of the producers of La La Land and also was the producer of Wicked.

[@lekoman]

Unfortunately, this isn't true. Alex Lacamoire was the Music Director on Wicked on Broadway starting a few years after the show opened, but the orchestrations were long since locked by then. They were prepared by Stephen Oremus, the original Music Director.

[@mollie4094]

Ben Platt was born and raised in California to my knowledge so that's why he pronounces his R's :)

[@seansantaclarita1]

"I'm just namedropping "Detaché"" had me dead😂

[@chocolatesouljah]

Right?

[@natashabidd7836]

I love this video it's just so unfortunate being a musical kid but not being able to sing

[@abbyfaith5226]

Natasha Bidd i love music and play instruments but my voice sucks 😂

[@miatyae5447]

oh my god why are you meeee

[@alle5453]

s a m e

[@ameliajeancrabtree]

i love the amount of vibrato ben uses to express his anxiety and how even the small signs can show through his singing

[@omrixavier4783]

I believe he says "I'm waving through a window" the first time to make it clearer and establishes that it is he who is initiating the waving through the window for the audience/listener. Too many "I'm"s seems cumbersome and repetitive. Just my theory.

[@aliceb17]

It’s an unwritten quirk, but wouldn’t be all that possible the second and third time, because of preparation reasons. Firstly he needs a decent breath, but he also needs time to prepare to switch into squillo (the Italian term for that really bright, forward tone that tenors use to get belt-y sounding high notes safely). That also explains the ‘nis’, as the n sound sits in that bright, squillo area.

[@tori2dles]

Omri Xavier - Phrase-wise, I think that, too. Note-wise, it’s just so dynamic to start at the lower 1st (I’m), jump up to the 7th (wa-), then resolve (ing) on the 1st that’s an octave above the original 1st.

[@krystaldocker3274]

@@tori2dles same melody in west side story - "ma-ri-a", "I'm wa-ving" :D

[@danmauller4069]

You know what I love? Seth Rudetsky "decontructing" videos. You know what I hate? That Seth Rudetsky is already married. *sigh*

[@graceshelton2982]

Dude you looked like Bill Nye the Science Guy in the thumbnail and I was like "wOw didn't know Bill Nye liked Dear Evan Hansen" 😂

[@avagutterson5822]

agent_flamingo the Bill Nye of broadeay

[@avagutterson5822]

broadway**

[@drbobperkins]

Seth is a treasure. I want to spend about 10-15% of my life with this guy. He hears EVERYTHING and he is the personification of joy!

[@dignature123]

22 mins on ONE SONG. Jesus....I loved this!

[@jackkreuzer]

He doesn't mention it but the first time he sing "step out step out of the sun..." there's this really smooth riff Ben dies on sun that melts. He only does the riff on the very first time he says sun, though.

[@trenadeejohnson9996]

is anybody waving.......... AT ME I love that lol

[@jaysonmangalino2920]

'When you're falling in a forest'... sounds a combined singing and speaking, which is amazing!

[@astrowiz3544]

I noticed that too! And his tone during that part is as if he has a lump in his throat. Theres such a close attention to lyrical detail by Ben its insane

[@jodypowell7169]

Seth, I love your enthusiasm! Thanks for providing the musical explanation to someone like me who doesn't know music well enough to put into words why the songs appeal to me so deeply. You illustrate beautifully why Ben Platt, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Alex Lacamoire won Tony Awards for their work on this show.......SO SATISFYING! Yes!

[@polarissilvertree]

Just my thought around the "I'm waving" and how it eventually evolves into just "Waving..." If you can imagine yourself as Evan -- he says "I'm waving..." because he can't find the words and is helplessly (and others shared this) initiating the action in an introverted, shy, unimposing way (Evan doesn't want to draw unwanted attention -- but its the action visualized by the "I'm waving" that describes his muffled struggle of wanting to be noticed). Note that as the song progresses (and Seth points this out), he starts quiet (like a shy, withdrawn kid would). But Ben uses his voice as a vehicle (as the song progresses) to deliver you the listener to the inner self of Evan as he really is -- uninhibited, unconstrained, undeterred, and desperate. In other words, as the song moves to the end, the listener, the dynamics in the music, Ben's amazing voice growing, and the little subtle changes in the lyrics -- funnel us to Evan as he truly feels. And that's why at the end of the song, the instruments suddenly die -- and you zoom out (of Evan's mind) and see him as you first saw him as was when he first started singing.

[@bondfool]

Hooray! More Deconstructions, please! "Dust and Ashes," "Wait For It," "Ring of Keys..."

[@jaysonmangalino2920]

Yes! The strings part on DEH is amazing! Seth should deconstruct For Forever, that song have my favorite string part on the whole show :-)

[@sarahmoran8664]

Seth's excitement is so infectious and he is so talented, I LOVE these deconstructions!❤️

[@azi_vasey9106]

I love these so much !!! I'm glad Seth gets excited as me when I listen to music 😂💕

[@CameronCuevaClarke]

Did Ben ever get back to you about the "I'm"s?

[@michaelmccausland9387]

I am so glad you mentioned the drum part. My son is the tour drummer and when I watched him debut at The Music Box, I told the man sitting next to me that the drummer was my son and he said at intermission that it was a major focus of his experience It is definitely a wonderful orchestration

[@doctorfuller9514]

When I saw the first ones of these on his own channel, where Seth just spoke about a couple of moments he was obsessed with I was like oh my god because I totally got obsessed with little vocal moments too and never had anyone to talk about them with or to tell me their favs too, and to now have 20 minutes of seth's beautiful appreciation of a song I've had on repeat forever I mean wow I am truly blessed.

[@TheAkharbs]

As brilliant as Ben and Alex are, that's how brilliant Seth is in making music come alive and deconstructing. His passion is contagious.

[@kinmanthebrave]

So nice to see a new video from you! I'm obsessed with all your old ones.

[@junobrosas]

Just had to say this before I forget, but my theory is that Ben added the "I'm" before "waving through a window" in the first chorus to emphasize that he, specifically, was the one waving. Kind of like how we say, "Well, me, I'll have my tea without honey." Adding the "me" is emphatically speaking on behalf of yourself. I think it was a specific character choice for Ben

[@yomega69]

This video made me so happy haha literally never noticed half of these things and now I'll think of them every time I listen to this song!

[@bodhi3888]

I wish he would do the whole show bc i loved this

[@hamamaha6854]

more of this pls this i need more details about my favorite musicals

[@mckenna8663]

Jin Tonic welcome to the amazement of Seth..... or actually the Ah-maaahzement

[@MynSininho]

Thank you for being amazing, Seth

[@mariahsupial1627]

That mordent/ornamental thing on "for an answer to appear" is the same thing I'm obsessed with that Pippa Soo does when she sings "Helpless" from Hamilton. So good!

[@DEMinYT]

Hey Seth! I don't know if anyone has commented on this yet, but I think possibly Ben may have added the "I'm" for the "I'm waiving" to give it that nice little pop transition from chest to head voice while keeping it within the shy diminutive characterization that he starts the song off with. It adds just a little bit of strength to the start of the phrase, rather than just singing "waving" in head voice. Also, I'm OBSESSED with DISASTER and am getting to play CHAD in an upcoming production in Delaware! Was bummed that "You're My Best Friend" got cut. Anywho, looking forward to seeing more of you on KZbin.

[@tori2dles]

I agree. And he goes from a 1st to a 7th, then resolves an active higher. And that’s just gorgeous. Beyond the breath dynamics, the musical dynamics are so luscious.

[@Maxpower16Cooper]

Actually, that's not the lowest note on Broadway! I the reprise of I'll Cover You from Rent, Collins sings an F#.

[@TheNotNormalShow]

Let's not forget about Caiaphas in JCS! ✨

[@arkus4411]

Caiaphas drops a low Dflat

[@littleshopofhorrorsatosceo1294]

Javert in Les Mis hits an F2 in Confrontation!

[@rneumeye]

You're right, "I'll Cover You" reprise has an even wider range low F# to high B! That's almost 2 and 1/2 octaves. And Collins doesn't just speech-sing or brush the low notes, he has to sing them with full round tone. I tell you, bass-baritones get NO love in musicals. 😤😒 Where's the deconstructing of Jesse L. Martin? We've got tons of Sopranos, Mezzos, and Tenors. Can we get one bass?

[@mckenna8663]

My question.... where do the writers stop and where does Ben start? Those riffs? What is P&P? And what is Platt stylization?

[@HazieMaisie]

just fyi we definitely can pronounce "been" as "bin" here the the uk :)

[@bcbutterfield]

3 years on - tip of the hat to you Seth!

[@aliciabanister2033]

Can you PLEASE deconstruct Wait For It from Hamilton

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

Alicia Banister my fave!

[@cassieford08]

I adore your level of excitement over every detail. I can’t wait to watch more of these videos. I was already obsessed with your obsessed interviews. This kind of analysis feeds my musical theater soul!

[@poshhawk104]

Seth, you are a real gem. Thank you.

[@minimoni247]

Came for Ben Platt, stayed for you! You're so charismatic and you emanate positive vibes! This made me so happy

[@harshmnr]

Anybody else wanna see an Anastasia deconstruction?? ~:~

[@mhensley1209]

🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️

[@KAZAM707]

This was done by Seth when it came out but was deleted because the show's writers were not happy he was publicizing striking similarities to existing music.

[@abigailmeyer8519]

FYI--Ben Platt isn't from New York, he is from LA

[@sparklemotion1018]

He lives in NYC. He lived in LA when he was a child.

[@Emma-mf1vq]

Idina Menzel and Ben Platt in the same video 😍

[@mckenna8663]

Emma that is incredible praise... to be compared to Idina and Patty as an equal. Ben comes off as a bumpkin... but truly.. he's incredible

[@KAZAM707]

Idina isn't exactly a strong, consistent vocalist. She was a good fit for the part.

[@willwalker24601]

15:37 for those of you who are looking for it, that song is called "Hurry Back" from applause.

[@soopersalad2509]

i think it’s funny how on broadway women sing the low notes. i think it has to do with there are like no bass roles for men in music theater. in opera there’s almost always a bass. for some reason men in musicals are usually expected to be belting tenors

[@hyunpark6272]

Yeah the only true bass part that i can think of is hades from hadestown which is either on bway or will be soon

[@rdidri]

First time viewer. I'm not a "music" person. Really liked this song, but after watching this, you have made me love and appreciate this song at such a richer level!!! Thank you.

[@mariaremberg]

I almost screamed when I saw this video! As I'm always late when it comes to new shows I've only been obsessed with Dear Evan Hansen for about a week, and I couldn't believe it when this was uploaded right now 😍 Also, "Why was I cursed with this trachea", literally my life 😂

[@mandyyu373]

lol me too.... i only started my DEH obsession last week XD

[@Dreamflying153]

You remind me of one of my choir teachers growing up. Same infectious enthusiasm and good explanations and deconstructions of songs. Keep being your amazing self.

[@KimberlieJ0]

Just a guess on the "I'm waving" instead of just waving from a technique standpoint. Tonal placement speaking the "I'm" gets the placement more forward and therefore waving will be forward and easier to sing. Waving by itself is difficult because it would place the word way father back and add strain if it was the beginning of the phrase. Losing it's almost yodeling quality in the jump. Besides it's emotional ramifications its kind of brilliant, and will have my students do this if they are studying this song. Thanks Seth keep these coming. I have "listening assignments" for my students each week and have started using some of your deconstructions. You. Are. Awesome!

[@swcosmos1]

I just found these Deconstructs. I am SO glad Seth is obsessed with the same things I am. Having some nerdy music fun!

[@romeguillermo4748]

Thank you for a very intelligent dissecting of this marvelous song and its superb performer. I've enjoyed Seth only on SiriusXM and now I discover this wonderful gem of a video. As a lifelong singer, I felt totally enriched with Seth's observations. Brava!

[@stewheff]

"why was I cursed with the trachea".... DEAD

[@ArianaSMusic]

Will never not hear "nis anybody waving" 😂

[@nolorosales]

You are such a good teacher! So entertaining!

[@itsannachloem]

Don't worry Seth, a West End production would definitely have American accents :)

[@liptonbites]

itsannachloem Yea similar to Matilda in Broadway :)

[@uns0ciable4ever]

itsannachloem do you think !!!!? because im so desperate to see it if and when it comes to london and i was imagining a british version and idk it just didn't feel the same ://

[@itsannachloem]

amelia cool so many aspects of the story would have to be changed to make sense (setting, the school and some of the language), it just wouldn't make sense and would be a very different musical

[@diggerhoward4078]

Hopefully not like the "In The Heights" accents.

[@koenmeier8553]

Digger Howard in the heights is about Washington heights that neighbourhood doesn’t exist in London so it is hard to transfer the feeling of that area. In the Addams family uk tour they have an American accent because it is situated in New York. A show like wicked doesn’t need that transfer because it is a different universe so to speak.

[@charlsreyn]

How will I ever unhear "Nis anybody waving"

[@waytootalltorrie8729]

Loved the show and LOVED this deconstruction! Thanks Seth!!!!

[@annrussell452]

Wonderful!

[@mattbariletti6387]

These give me so much life Seth! Thanks.

[@frogtoast7809]

PLEASE, keep. Your rhymes. Pure!

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

I've been waiting for a full deconstruction of this show and you never disappoint. I've been watching you forever and I'll never stop! You can't stop with just this! I'd love to hear you deconstruct Words Fail, even though it always makes me cry😢

[@OpalsforEmily]

My love of musicals deepens significantly with the incredible knowledge and insight Seth provides! Deconstructions everyday please!!

[@melissaelton1644]

Seth, your videos bring me soooo much joy. Thank you for being you!

[@luv2singanything]

It's just nice to know that I'm not the only one freaking out over the things that Ben Platt's voice can do.

[@dannymcdougallphd]

Seth, you make it so much fun to listen to these wonderful performances. And, you make us better listeners! Thank you for this one!

[@dcloud3791]

I loooooove your attention to detail, always. You make me feel not crazy for noticing and obsessing over these things in musicals!

[@xGreysxAnatomyx2]

My favorite: “WHY WAS I CURSED WITH THIS TRACHEA.” I literally had to pause the video so I could laugh 😂😂😂

[@alexandraraver9346]

"Why was I cursed with this trachea?" 😂

[@kaitlanfaucher]

I appreciate this video so much.

[@kmillerman]

Ben's 'Rs' are SoCal, Seth... minor nit in yet another infectious deconstruction piece. Thank you!

[@willwalker24601]

Idina Menzel actually hits E3 - F5 in Defying Gravity. In the bridge where she sings "Unlimited..." she hits an E3 on the UN. So she actually did in the same song😆

[@gracie1763]

I've never seen someone look so shook in one video

[@hannahortizstrauss8950]

Deconstruct The Great Comet, pls!

[@mallaidhdevlin4512]

THannahG Ooooooo yeahhh

[@saschahoupt6177]

It's happening in September anyway (I'm sorry I'm such an awful human)

[@harshmnr]

Sascha Is my name I see what you did there... ~:~

[@claymationmedia6961]

My favorite breakdown of all time!

[@kristythompson872]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video! I feel like I was making the same faces you were when listening to those subtle riffs! It was exciting to see someone else point out things that I love so much about this song already! Finally found someone who understands!

[@ceceliaolszewski426]

these videos give me life i missed them so much

[@angelgolds]

Yes! So excited Seth is back with more deconstructions. I'm not a huge fan of DEH, but I loooove Seth. Is there any way I could convince you to deconstruct War Paint next? I mean, LuPone AND Ebersole in one show? Come on.

[@HannahSmith-kr5jh]

I was starting to get kind of tired of this song, but hearing it being picked apart like this gave me more appreciation for it and more things to watch for next time I listen to it. so thank you!

[@alanscopp1114]

I love that Seth points out the masterful orchestrations. Strings are amazing.The drum and bass are so punchy and syncopated. It's a great song, but the orchestration truly elevates it.

[@STG29DL]

Peace out ...followed by a mic drop. Thank you so much for a fine and engaging deconstruction ... you amaze me!

[@fernandaparamo4090]

His passion, excitement, obsession and love for this is so contagious. I love it.

[@jennieford9080]

This is my first "DECONSTRUCTING" and I'm loving every minute of it Seth!

[@hanffd]

Thank you for deconstructing a song I'm so obsessed with! Great to see a video from you again, Seth!

[@PeaceBang]

DYING over the shout-out to Betty Bacall (of blessed memory). That song from "Applause" is simply awful. LOL!

[@lyricalle]

Love it, news to me :)

[@willwalker24601]

Seth Rudetsky is such a mood!😅

[@TysonNales]

7:32 with the "Omg we have to do it again" is me every. time. I listen.

[@naomixfreeman7756]

Omg I love your personality so much hahaha!!! I keep coming back to this video even after months