Growing up has a lot of benefits, but none is greater than our ability as adults to begin to see life through our parents’ eyes as we age. Over the next couple weeks, Grand Rapids’ musical theatre fans will have a chance to experience “
Fun Home”, a fresh, new musical making its local debut at Circle Theatre of Grand Rapids.
“Fun Home” is the winner of five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and is a one-of-a-kind production that introduces us to its protagonist Alison at three different ages.
Alison’s story moves seamlessly between the past and present, along the way revealing just as much about her as it does her uniquely dysfunctional family.
Adapted to the stage by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori from Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir of the same name, “Fun Home” is a delight because it warmly reminds the audience of the opportunities we have as adults to see the child we were and our parents’ secrets. And again, this moving story is conveyed through song and dance.
“Fun Home” is directed and choreographed by Jolene Frankey with musical direction provided by Scott Patrick Bell, and stars local actors Eirann Betka (Alison), Kobe Brown (Roy), Caitlin Cusack (Helen), Madeline Jones (Medium Alison), Ethan Mathias (John), Jason Morrison (Bruce), Drake Selleck (Christian), Katie Tamayo (Joan), and Evangeline Vander Ark (Small Alison).
After the July 27 Circle Theatre performance, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A that will focus on author Alison Bechdel's contributions to art and society, as well as dialogue on “Fun Home's” central themes of family and LGBTQ.