"I suppose that a lifetime spent hiding one's truth could have a cumulative renunciatory effect. Sexual shame is in itself a kind of death."
- Alison Bechdel, FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC
In a post-modern performing arts context, inspiring narratives can come from anywhere - even from a complicated, visually exciting, textually complex graphic novel. It's even more surprising to see this source material transformed into an award-winning musical. But that is exactly what Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron did when they took the amazing story of self-actualization in Alison Bechdel's FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC, a graphic depiction of a young woman's self-revelation of sexual identity coupled with her realization that her father had never come to a similar affirmation in his own life. In Facebook terms, their relationship is "complicated," and her disassociation from him and from the life she lead becomes the basis of an original, entertaining, and ultimately moving evening in the theatre.
Within ninety minutes (without intermission), we are introduced to the house on Maple Avenue, a Victorian funeral home and residence in a rural Pennsylvania community, where Alison reveals her journey from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, and the epiphanies she encounters along the way. Played by three actresses (Meghan Longo, Anna McIunkin, and Julie Lokahi), the creators of the musical work their memories and reflections together in such a way that time and space are not obstacles; rather, they are transcended, allow each to comment and reveal to one another insights and perspectives as the story progresses. These actors are each given moments of individual strength, and their solo moments, as sincere and thoughtful as they are, pale in comparison to their final, exhilarating trio, "Flying Away," which denies any audience member the chance to detach from their emotional engagement. It is one of the nicest musical theatre moments from recent memory on a local stage.
Equally engaging are Ken Brundage's portrayal of Bruce Bechdel, Alison's conflicted father, and Gretchen Kerr's Helen Bechdel, her devotedly dedicated mother. The powerful voices of these two seasoned actors match their strong character developments. Having enjoyed them for years, it is especially rewarding to have them perform material that celebrates their great talent and developed skill. Their performances should not be missed. Supporting cast members Michael Haas, Parker Irwin, Brittney Shaw, and Justin Wesmiller complete the talented and accomplished cast.
Directed by Zachary Flock and assisted by Patrick Thiem, the performers make full use of the space, and while the musical staging is simple, it allows for the actors to concentrate on characters and relationships. The attention to character development and intimate blocking (stage movement) is clearly evident in the consistency in performance throughout the production. The intimate Dramashop stage transforms from funeral home to college dorm to car front seat with minimal distraction, though the necessity for detailed set pieces and furniture might be overdone, given the memory context of the narrative. Lighting is appropriately moody, though actors might take more time to discover when they are or are not in the stage light. Stage management by Zach Hoffman and Nora Schillinger is well handled, and scene changes, though sometimes interrupting of the performance rhythm, are smartly choreographed and executed.
FUN HOME is a musical play, and the small combo orchestra, with Kate Thiem as piano/conductor/musical and vocal director, is spot on perfect. Their voicing and execution of a not-too-difficult but certainly delicate score is expertly shared. While large sounds in a small space can sometimes eclipse the performers (even when they are wearing microphones), it doesn't take long for the audiences' ears to adjust and be able to distinguish and discern the lyrics of the songs.
It is refreshing to see contemporary work on our stages. While it is always good to have an old musical friend to revisit (as one might a favorite gallery in a museum), it is equally good to engage a powerful story of self-discovery, powerfully performed by an ensemble of well-rehearsed actors. FUN HOME is the perfect start-of-summer theatrical entertainment deserving of the attention of theatre lovers in the Erie community.
Shawn+
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