Theater Review: Fun Home

Sounds like a rollicking good time, doesn’t it? But “Fun Home” is a nickname for the family-owned Pennsylvania funeral parlor owned by the Bechdel family in New Village Arts’ latest play.

It’s a complex show that takes place in three different years (1969, 1979 and 2003) and features a cast of seven (and three swings) who take us through difficult and sometimes amusing times as they grow up and older together.

Cartoonist Alison Bechdel (Rae Henderson-Gray) takes us through her difficult childhood with dad Bruce (played by Brent Roberts), emotionally volatile, demanding and and often cruel to his wife Helen (Sarah Alida LeClaire). Henderson-Gray is likable acting as the observer, who watches the others struggle as she did. 

Just as cruelty is part of the not-fun plot, so is the largely unadmitted desire for same-sex love which starts as hidden and gradually changes with the years.

And that’s not all. “Fun Home” is also a musical based on Bechdell’s illustrated memoir, offering 16 songs by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron.

The cast is absolutely amazing, from the kids to adults, all perfectly capable of singing, dancing and acting. Rae Henderson-Gray takes on the job of observer, being amused by herself and them as time goes by.

Lena Palke, an extremely talented 10-year-old, is excellent as the ten-year-old Alison, who gets to sing “Ring of Keys” at the time when she sees a butch woman in a restaurant and begins to learn something about herself.

Priya Richard, playing Alison as a teenager, is excellent, finally beginning beginning to realize that she isn’t just young but also lesbian. And Lisette Velandia plays Joan, whom Alison meets at just the right time.

Grade-schoolers Zayden McHardy and Leo Jones are fun to watch as Alison’s younger brothers Christian and John.

Brent Roberts is difficult and sometimes annoying to watch as the pater familias Bruce Bechdel, but it’s fun to watch him when he doesn’t get things to go his way.

Sarah Alida LeClair suffers quietly as Bruce’s long-suffering wife Helen, until she too reaches the stage of explosion.

Director Kym Pappas, musical director Korrie Yamaoka, choreographer Patrick Mayuyu and the rest of the creative team are to be congratulated as well. 

“Fun Home” is like no other play I’ve ever seen. NVA gives us a fascinating, sometimes confusing but absolutely unequaled show. Don’t miss it. It plays through March 3.