Fun Home
Review by Willard Manus
FUN HOME,
the Tony Award-winning musical, sheds light on the sad/funny history of
yet another dysfunctional American family. In this one, the father, Bruce
(Robert Petkoff), is a closeted homosexual, the mother, Helen (Susan Moniz),
is a silent, sad witness, and the eldest daughter, Alison (Kate Shindle),
is a mixed-up, teenaged lesbian.That’s only one aspect of the multi-leveled
story, which is based on the confessional graphic novel by Alison Bechdel.
As adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, FUN HOME zigzags between past
and present, with two other young actresses (Alessandro Baldacchino and
Abby Corrigan) portraying Alison at different times in her life. Mostly,
though, the musical centers on the adult Alison, now a cartoonist, as
she tries to write about, and make sense of, her bizarre history, one
in which her father committed suicide and her mother was overwhelmed by
guilt.
Yet, despite all this angst, FUN HOME also manages to reveal that the
family had some good times together, times in which there was closeness,
intimacy, laughter. The three-dimensional treatment of character and situation
is what gives FUN HOME its complexity and richness, as well as its power
and originality. These are rare qualities in a musical and no doubt account
for its popularity and success.
Essentially a story about a father who can’t muster up the courage
to live his life as honestly and bravely as his daughter does, FUN HOME
is filled with catchy music and song, everything from a raucous satire
of 70s TV commercials to the tender a capella lullaby Bruce sings to his
daughter. Tesori proves in FUN HOME that she is one of the most versatile
and adventurous theatre composers working today.
FUN HOME may be a road-company production, but its cast and direction
are first-rate. Ditto David Zinn’s multi-level set and Micah Young’s
8-person band, which attacked Tesori’s music with glee and zest.
Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave. For tickets and information, call
213-972-4400 or visit centertheatregroup.org