Fun Home

Joel acquired tickets to the Tony Awards this year (Yes! You can just buy the tickets on-line like for any show and it’s an incredible evening of the very best of Broadway). I must confess, that Fun Home  wasn’t really on my radar, but that night it won five Tonys, including Best Musical, and exploded into our world.  The very talented young actress, Sydney Lucas, and Broadway favorite, Michael Cerveris (won a Tony for Best Lead Actor in a Musical), performed the song, Ring of Keys, from the show.  We were mesmerized!  That night, Joel went on-line and bought tickets before the post Tony Awards stampede began. 

The awards and acclaim are not hyperbole.

I also immediately bought the graphic novel the musical is based on, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel.  It is an absorbing and rewarding read and whetted my appetite further for the performance.   And what a performance!  We meet the lead character, Alison, as a young girl, a college student, and in current times.  The ebb and flow of the way the three ages of this character weave through the story is ethereal and captivating.   Her family, including two younger brothers, whirls and swirls through high jinks, angst, and heartache.  The songs (music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron – they both won Tonys for their work) are by turn lively and introspective.  The Ring of Keys song, a coming of age moment for young Alison, is especially catchy and I fear I tortured Joel for a couple of weeks when I would burst out with the chorus at odd times.

We talked about Fun Home the entire subway ride home and for days thereafter.

While Alison goes through her own uniquely trying adolescence experience, anyone can connect with squabbling siblings, parental shortcomings, teenage torment, and first love distraction.  The story is harrowing and heartwarming.  It left me feeling enthralled and reflective.

What was your favorite song or moment?

Review by MSG