November 16, 2020
'Dear Evan Hansen' Star Ben Platt Reveals Brush with COVID
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Tony-winning actor and recording artist Ben Platt, of "Dear Evan Hansen" and "The Politician" fame, revealed in a Nov. 15 Twitter post that he had COVID-19 last March and, thankfully, is now fully recovered, Deadline reveals.
Platt, 27, made the disclosure when responding to a question floated online by Ced Funches, a graphic designer. "Do you personally know anyone that has contracted COVID-19? No names, just yes or no," Funches asked.
"Me," Platt responded, going on to add, "it was like an awful flu that lingered for three weeks or so. Thankfully made a full recovery. So many haven't been as lucky and will continue not to be."
Platt encouraged his fans to "keep distancing and masking!"
"Platt is among a large number of celebrities who have come forward with their own experiences of dealing with COVID-19, including Dwayne Johnson, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Neil Patrick Harris, and countless others," noted Entertainment Tonight.
The once-more-healthy Platt also celebrated "10 gay-ass months" with boyfriend (and fellow "Evan Hansen" star) Noah Galvin, sharing a snap on Instagram and Twitter of the two of them, Billboard reports. While Platt originated the role of Evan Hansen, Galvin took over the part when Platt moved on.
The couple announced back in May that the two were dating, with Platt spilling the tea on social media and Galvin on a podcast.
"I know, it's so g---- incestuous," Galvin said at the time, noting that two other "Evan Hansen" actors - Taylor Trensch and Ben Levi Ross - had also become an item. "But it makes sense, like, we all went through the war together. We all feel very connected."
Platt is set to return to the role of Evan Hansen with a movie adaptation that reportedly also stars Julianne Moore.
The plot concerns a teenager who writes letters to himself as a therapeutic exercise to combat anxiety. One of his letters ends up in the possession of a schoolmate who subsequently commits suicide; his parents believe that their dead son wrote the letter to Evan Hansen.
Steven Levenson wrote the book for the stage musical and has adapted the play for the screen. The music and lyrics are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are reportedly writing new music for the film.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
