“Fun Home”

 “Fun Home” shares how Bechdel unlocks memories, milestones and mysteries of her youth as she begins to write her first graphic novel. With a compassionate score and brilliant lyrics, Fun Home tells the story of seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. The music is often eerie and the lyrics are there to let the story and give us more insight to what Alison is experiencing. You may not be humming any tunes as you leave the theater, but you will feel the impact of several of the songs and their deep meaning.

Alison’s mother, Helen (Neala Barron has a song that might shake you up called “Days & and Days”) and  her father Bruce (deftly handled by Patrick Byrnes) have a big old house that is also the funeral parlor on Main Street. Alison has two little brothers, Christian ( played by Elis Vander Griend and alternating Charlie Long) and John ( played by Hayes McCraken and alternating Austin Hartung).

Alison, as the story takes us through time is played by other performers as well. Young Alison by Meena Sood (alternating with Tesa Mae Pundsak) and “college” Alison portrayed by Z Mowry. It is during her college years that Alison discovers that she is a lesbian. She meets Joan ( Dakota Hughes has been one active performer of late and is terrific), develops a relationship with her and discovers more about herself and the secrets of her parents.

Sharply directed by Stephen Schellhardt with musical direction by Heidi Joosten  “Fun Home” is 100 minutes ( no intermission) of magical theater. Many of you know that I often use the term “Chamber Musical” to describe shows where the script is more musical than words. While this one has dialogue, it is the music that will grab your heart and soul as you look into the lives of this family and the people that are a part thereof. Lincoln J. Skoien plays all the other male roles in addition to assisting with moving furniture and props ( the whole cast does pitch in).

The set by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn is exciting and fills the stage with just the feeling that is needed to convey this story. Denise Karczewski;s lighting is spot on as is the sound (Matthew R. Chase) and Patrick McGuire’s props are sheer perfection. There is very little dance or choreography in this slick production but what little there was ( designed by Dakota Hughes) works. The musicians are not onstage but their music is top-notch. Under Joosten’s direction the six musicians fill the Ruth Page Center For The Arts .