Ben Platt

With masterful command over these personal nuances, author Steve Levenson, composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and the 2023 touring cast of “Dear Evan Hansen” bring the audience to tears on several occasions.

To this day, I know the words of that a capella battle in a drained pool by heart, in addition to the spellbindingly fun “Cups” song.

The anxiously anticipated film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen'' entirely misses the mark, serving up a cringeworthy film that makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

Among other mental health struggles the movie hopes to address, “Dear Evan Hansen” highlights how grief can destroy a family while sparking revelations in one’s knowledge of themselves.

Although imperfect, Born this Way Reimagined is a surely acceptable celebration of Lady Gaga’s ingenuity, albeit one that does not live up to the impact of its innovative predecessor. 

Season two of “The Politician” follows Payton, an entitled and wealthy college student running against long-time senator Dede Standish (Judith Light) for a spot in the New York State Senate.

While Platt is commonly associated with the theatrics that come with being a Broadway performer, this final recorded concert highlights his individuality away from the grandeur of a Broadway stage.

Spearheaded by a dynamic, heart-wrenching performance by Platt, the character of Payton serves as an antihero for a new generation of television viewers.

In the current moment, the best portrayals of mental illness are coming from theater, a genre uniquely able to tell these stories.