Samantha Williams, a junior musical theatre major at Pace University, makes her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning Dear Evan Hansen beginning May 7.

Williams steps into the role of Alana Beck, succeeding Phoenix Best. Best played her final performance May 5.

Williams’ university credits include Dot in Sunday in the Park With George and the title role in Caroline, or Change.

The cast is currently led by Andrew Barth Feldman in the title role with Mallory Bechtel, Lisa Brescia, Michael Park, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Alex Boniello, and Sky Lakota-Lynch.

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony winner Steven Levenson, a score by Oscar- and Tony-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and direction by multiple Tony nominee Michael Greif.

In addition to a 2018 Grammy Award, Dear Evan Hansen has won numerous others: the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and for the Off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, and two Helen Hayes Awards.

The musical features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations, and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the associate music supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Danny Mefford is the choreographer.

(Updated May 7, 2019)