By Gerard Falco.
Fun Home is being performed at the White Plains Performing Arts Center for a very limited engagement ending on October 28th. The play is based upon cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s 2006 best-selling book which is a memoir of growing up with her uniquely dysfunctional family in rural Pennsylvania. The musical adaptation by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori eventually made its way to Broadway in 2015 and ultimately, became the winner of five Tony awards. This production is directed by Amy Griffin.
This play is better described as a tragicomedy rather than a lighthearted musical. Fun Home is a reference to Alison’s family home which also served part-time as the local funeral home run by her father. The play centers around middle-aged Alison, played by Lauren Cohn, who is omnipresent throughout the play as she looks in on scenes of her childhood and as she matures into a college student. It is through this looking glass that Alison tries to understand her stunted relationship with her father and who she has become as an adult. In the end, many more questions are asked than answered.
Alison’s high-minded dad, Bruce Bechdel (played by Robert Cuccioli), is the local high school English teacher as well as the funeral home director. He takes pride in having restored and refurbished their beautiful antique home to museum-like quality. Unfortunately most of his family interactions are fraught with an overdeveloped worldview and an unwillingness to accept anyone else’s point of view. He always knows what is best and is utterly incapable of meaningful communication with his young daughter Alison. She tries futilely but never gains her father’s paternal love or understanding. As she grows into a college-aged young adult, played by Megan O’Callaghan, she nervously wrestles with the self-realization that she is gay. Her attempt to share her self-discovery with her parents doesn’t go well. Her dad finds himself incapable of discussion. Her mom, Helen Bechdel (played by Rita Harvey), is clearly disappointed. Yet, in a heart-felt conversation with Alison, she painfully admits that her husband Bruce is actually a closet homosexual and that he has had illicit male affairs over the entire course of their marriage. Through this twisted confusion, Alison is never able to come to come to terms with her father, as he takes his own life in a violent way before she reaches adulthood.
Despite the conflicted nature of the story-line, there is comedic expression in this play. This mostly comes from the spirited interaction between young Alison and her two brothers Christian (Wyatt Cirbus) and John (Elliot Fishman) who play their roles with confidence and flair. Their song and dance number that comprises their fantasy television commercial for the “Fun Home” funeral home is hysterical. A special nod is due young Alison (played by Serena Parrish on this night). Her rendition of the joyful, vulnerable and resilient main character is absolutely heart-rending. All of the Alison characters have similar sweet clear voices and are well-acted. Robert Cuccioli’s voice is strong and reflective of the pain and anguish that is part of Bruce Bechdel’s character. Alison’s mom, Helen Bechdel, is convincingly played by Rita Harvey. It is unfortunate that her persona is not more developed in this play, as it would appear that Helen’s life as a wife and mother was clearly one of exceptional grace and courage. Good supporting roles are played by Jessica Mosher, as Alison’s college girlfriend Joan and Ian Smith in a variety of roles. Together, the voices of the small cast blend nicely.
The entire play takes place on a beautifully designed set by Christopher and Justin Swader. All the richly detailed and beautiful aspects of the family home dangle whimsically above the stage, reflecting not only Bruce Bechdel’s good taste but more importantly the desperate dysfunction that comprises the Bechdel household. The lighting design by Jamie Roderick effectively captures the various moods of the play. The music, directed by Stephen Ferri is catchy and the lyrics both funny and witty. The sound quality is excellent as is Mr. Ferri’s six piece orchestra.
One of Alison’s last recollections is her dad boosting her into the air with her body and arms gracefully extended while she pretends to be an airplane in flight. It is this moment, she recalls, that everything was in perfect balance. Alison’s thought provoking memories last far beyond the curtain call, and this is what makes the play so worth seeing.
Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Adult Themes.
Fun Home is playing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center until October 28th, 2018. The theater is located at 11 City Place, 3rd Floor (City Center), White Plains, NY. For tickets call the box office at (914) 328-1600 or click here.