Great shows seem to be a dime a dozen this Broadway season. Amazing shows are also pretty prevalent, but a little rarer. Fun Home is one of those amazing shows-mixing humor and poignancy in a profoundly moving way.
Fun Home tells the story of the life of cartoonist Alison Bechdel in a non-linear time bending way. It looks back on her childhood growing up in a funeral home/living museum (the Fun Home of the title), and how she came out to her parents in college only to discover her father was gay as well and had been sleeping with men throughout her entire childhood.
This play focuses on three different versions of Alison Bechdel and each one is a triumph. One of the quietest roles, and yet still the most compelling is Alison played by Beth Malone. She is a constant unobtrusive presence looking back on her life, and sometimes commenting as well.
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The supporting cast is outstanding as well, with a particular focus on Bruce (Michael Cerveris) and Helen (Judy Kuhn), Alison’s parents. Kuhn, a Broadway legend, was extraordinary as always. She created enormous depth to her character out of just a little, as the script mostly focuses on Bruce. Her eleventh-hour number “Days and Days” is a wonder to behold. Cerveris is also a Broadway vet, and he deftly moves between the loving father and the stern authoritarian, easily showing that underneath a lot of swagger, he feels something is wrong. Both Cerveris and Kuhn more classical voices translate gorgeously to the more contemporary score.Speaking of the score, the music by Jeanine Tesori blends beautifully with the book and lyrics by Lisa Kron.
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Fun Home is beautiful, stark, and full of life with just the right amount of “fun.” Do. Not. Miss. This show is one for the books.
Review By: Chrissy Cody
Photos By: Joan Marcus
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