08/03/2026
Make plans to see an amazing show and support Landon! Especially on his upcoming birthday, he’d love to see see the Frontenac community!
Dear Evan Hansen explores teen anxiety, depression, isolation, and su***de. The show also contains strong language and bullying. The rating on the show is PG-13.
If you are a Parent who struggles talking to a teenager, a teenager talking to a parent, or ever felt alone. This show will get you in the feels. You will laugh, you will cry, and hopefully discover “you are not alone.”
The birthday wish: An audience in black.
Few actors hope to look out onto an early afternoon crowd, and see a room filled with people dressed in black.
That is, unless you're from Frontenac. Then it's the best thing you can ever hope for. Your heart stops beating so hard. Your worries ease a bit. Your people have arrived.
Landon Clemensen will be looking for those black and white Raider shirts, and the friendly faces with them this weekend as he tackles what he describes as his most emotionally difficult, and important role yet.
That's quite the statement from someone like Landon. Well known across the state for his acting, and amazing singing voice, Landon is in multiple productions a year. Often playing lead roles to good sized audiences.
However, this play is different. Dear Evan Hansen isn't a play as much as it's a soul searching experience. One that leaves Landon in genuine tears every time he performs it.
The play is a must see for teens and Landon is playing the lead, Evan. Based on the Broadway production which then became a best selling book, it hits real life topics like relationships, bullying and su***de. All while having outstanding music and dance that balances the experience. It struggles through pain and hope, and then wraps the audience in a message of decency and acceptance. It's a wild ride and incredibly worth it.
The weight of this role though is clearly sitting on Landon. In theatre happy roles in happy places are often the safe bet. Audiences love them, people pack the seats, and everyone goes home happy. Especially the actors.
Complex emotional roles however, are necessary for young actors like Landon. Chasing college scholarships in theatre means you must prove you can do it all. Landing this role is exactly that for him. His moment to shine and show his versatility.
As we chat during an evening rehearsal it's clear that he's excited. He's ready and is proud of the show. As he should be. He tells me excitedly how this is one of his favorite plays and how he jumped at the chance to audition for the lead.
However, the worry is there, which is unusual for him. Even as he heaps praises on his fellow performers, it's clear that of all the people on stage, he will be required to be the most vulnerable.
Parts of this production are heart wrenching before it's healing, and that kind of raw emotion is hard for any actor. Yet alone a teenage football player in rural Kansas.
While nerve racking for him, this play is the gift we've all been waiting for. Landon is considered by many of his peers and directors as one of the best all around teen theatre talents Kansas has.
This production of Dear Evan Hanson brings together his singing, dancing, and finally audiences get to see the emotional depth he is capable of.
Backed up by an outstanding cast, we finally get to see Landon free of sugar coated Disney endings. An actor finally taking off the training wheels.
It's clear Landon is going to leave it all on the table with this play. Especially since, his dream role is lining up with his birthday. He's turning 17 on Sunday, and will be celebrating it on stage with the final performance of the show.
When I asked him what he was hoping for as a present I expected the normal teenage boy things. I should have known better from Landon. “I’d love to have Frontenac at the show.” he said with a smile.
I think we can do that kiddo.
Let's give Landon that sea of Raider shirts this weekend Frontenac Friends. Especially Sunday afternoon. Happy birthday Landon. Break a leg. - Keesh
*The show takes place at Memorial Auditorium, August 6-9th. General Admission tickets are available at the door. Reserved seating is available online.
