By Amanda VanNostrand.
The striking musical Fun Home is showing at Arden Theatre Company in Old City, Philadelphia until June 17th. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen, Fun Home is based on the graphic novel Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, the main character of the show. The musical version won five Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Musical, and Arden’s production certainly lives up to this high standard.
Imagine sitting back and watching the years of your life play out before you. Watching those who have grown older, and those who were denied that privilege, living out your younger memories and wishing against all odds that things would play out differently, sometimes in order to save those loved ones from the downfall that only you know is coming. Though theatre should be expected to strike nerves and allure emotions, Fun Home does this in a capacity that can be described as intense and at times, it feels like it is a bit much. It strikes the soul in a way that makes it a truly extraordinary production, and the uncomfortability only makes it more of a must-see show. Alison struggles to understand and forgive her parents for being who they were as they raised her, and much about this production is therefore moving and relatable to many.
Alison Bechdel is the main character and there are three of her: adult Alison, Medium (college) Alison, and Small (child) Alison. These three are played by three separate actresses and adult Alison has the privilege (or burden?) of witnessing past experiences from the sidelines of the stage. Alison grows up with her two brothers and parents in a home that doubles as a funeral parlor. The family seems happy enough, but as with all families, they have their secrets. As truths unfold, it is apparent that Alison and her father share similarities that she is more equipped for than he is. The story ends tragically and adult Alison looks back and draws the scenes that play out before her. She comes to understandings about her sexuality, her upbringing, and her parents as both the humans who raised her and who exist as characters in her life story.
Everything production-wise in this show is exquisite. The story is told in such a way that between the acting, stage set-up, and the music, the themes are illustrated with intensity. The stage (scenic design by James Kronzer), for example, is set up in such a way that the audience entirely surrounds it. Each side of the theater earns a different viewing perspective and the characters are able to move around in an authentic capacity. (In addition to the charming white, dollhouse style roof and windows that hang from the ceiling to depict the beautiful home in which the Bechdels reside.) Lyrics (Lisa Kron) spark emotions that incite sniffling throughout he audience. In one powerful scene, Small Alison (Kate Bove) attempts to draw the places where her family has been. The lyrics read, “The road not taken, Just four miles from our door, You were born on this farm, Here’s our house, Here’s the spot where you died, I can draw a circle… You lived your life inside.”
The cast is made up of both adults and children, all of whom possess great talent. Mary Toumanen plays adult Alison, and she makes Alison’s character into a strong, forgiving, (sometimes humorous) being. Alison is real in the rawest of ways, and Toumanen’s talent rises to the occasion. Izzy Castaldi plays the part of Medium (college) Alison and she is charming. The honesty with which she plays Alison is believable and she brings the audience to see her college years as the struggle that they clearly were – the excitement and burden of being on one’s own for the first time and the reality of discovering who one is at the risk of letting close family down. Small (child) Alison is played by Kate Bove. She is a fifth grader from New Jersey and her skills as an actress are incredible. She is convincing in her role as Alison’s child self, and her voice and acting skills are more than adequate for the stage. Her future is bright! In addition to the three actresses playing the Alisons, Ben Dibble must be mentioned. He plays the part of Bruce Bechdel, Alison’s father. The struggles that Bruce endures are well presented by Dibble – the angst, love, and passion for the people and circumstances in Bruce’s life flow through him and make him a phenomenal choice for this part.
The profundity of Fun Home (entitled as such due to the Bechdel children’s nickname for the funeral home) is apparent, and viewers of this show will be sure to leave with additional understandings about human beings, family, and sexuality, and the reality of love. Anyone with a family is sure to make deep connections with this story and these connections are sure to be much appreciated.
Advisory: Strong language
Running Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes with no intermission
Fun Home will be laying at Arden Theatre Company until June 17th, 2018. The theater is located at 40 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA. For tickets, contact the box office at 215-922-1122 or click here.