Quote of the Day: “Fun Home,” the musical based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel of the same name, began its journey to the stage in 2009. The show premiered at New York’s Public Theatre to rave reviews in 2013, was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and opened on Broadway at Circle in the Square Theatre in April, 2015. It was nominated for five Tonys and won the award for Best Musical. From the program guide for Fun Home, playing at Theater Latté Da thru 5/11/25. Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron, Directed by Addie Gorlin-Han, and Choreographed by Katie Rose McLaughlin.

(L to R) Monty Hays (Medium Alison), Eve Scharback (Small Alison), Sara Masterson
(Alison) Photo: Dan Norman

I put Fun Home at Theater Latté Da on my must-see list this spring, my first chance to see this Tony-Award winning musical. Alison Bechdel is known for her comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” (which ran from 1983-2008) and the famous saying, “Does it pass the Bechdel test?” Her autobiographical graphic memoir Fun Home was first published in 2006, quickly became a New York Times best selling book, and was adapted for the stage (as you can read above). The structure of this work gave the adapters an added challenge: How to adapt visual literature to the stage, including music, and portray the main character writing and creating her work? It was fascinating to see it all come to life.

Sara Masterson as grown up Alison, Eve Scharback as Small Alison in Fun Home at Theater Latte’ Da. Photo: Dan Norman

The first thing I noticed when I took my seat was the furniture and other home artifacts tucked under the stage and peaking out from behind the tarps. When the show begins, the tarps fall away to reveal layers of things you’d find in an attic, or basement, or an abandoned old house. Velvet furniture, beautiful old lamps, chests, end tables, and tucked into the bottom layer are set pieces that the cast rolled in and out – a grand piano, an old television, a coffin (it’s a funeral home after all). All that really lends an atmosphere of memories, but also secrets, that get hidden in those dark spaces in someone’s home and psyche. Such captivating set design by Eli Sherlock.

Eve Sharback as Small Alison and Shad Hanley as her dad Bruce in Fun Home at Theater Latte’ Da. Photo: Dan Norman

The cast for this moving and poignant play is extraordinary. The main character, Alison, is played by three different actors at different stages of Alison’s life. Small Alison is played by Eve Scharback, who is absolutely adorable as the child growing up in this household. She totally played the character, so believable, innocent, yet observant. And, when she sang, the whole audience sat up and listened. Her triumph was “Ring of Keys,” and she had a fun number with her stage brothers, Christian (Truman Bednar) and John (Brock Heuring), in a song the kids invented as an ad for their funeral home “Come to the Fun Home.” 

(L to R) Truman Bednar (Christian), Ann Michels (Helen), Eve Scharback (Small Alison),
Brock Heuring (John), Shad Hanley (Bruce) Photo: Dan Norman

Monty Hays (whom we know from their lead role in The Prom at the Chanhassen) plays Medium Alison, the one who goes off to college and finds herself. Some of the funniest and most tragic scenes happen at this stage of Alison’s life. Her encounter with Joan (Emma Schuld) is awkward, funny, sweet, and tender. Their song called “Changing My Major” brings all those emotions out. We also see her trying to figure out her relationship with her father, and discovering his secrets, too.

(L to R) Sara Masterson (Alison), Monty Hays (Medium Alison), Shad Hanley (Bruce),
Emma Schuld (Joan) Photo: Dan Norman

Sara Masterson plays grown-up Alison, the one who is creating her comic strip and writing her graphic memoir. We see her coming into the scene of memory, when Small Alison is riding on her dad’s feet playing airplane, when she is discovering hidden treasures in the house and her dad is explaining things about life and literature. Her dad, Bruce, played brilliantly by Shad Hanley, has so many gifts, talents, interests, and secrets. A closeted gay man, suppressed by the social pressures of the times, throws himself into his work as a high school English teacher, a funeral home director, an old house restorer, and dad. He’s hard on the edges, but soft inside. At times, he shows his brilliance towards his family and projects. At other times, he’s authoritarian and verbally abusive. Ann Michels plays his long-suffering wife Helen. Ann, as always, gives the full range of emotions to her characters and her lovely, lovely singing voice to her broken hearted songs. “Days and Days” was especially touching. Berto Borroto plays various characters in this story, most of whom are Bruce’s lovers.

Ann Michels as Helen in Fun Home at Theater Latte’ Da. Photo: Dan Norman

Jason Hansen leads this Tony-Award winning score with a five member band: Paul Hill, Joan Griffith, Geoff LeCrane, and Zelda Younger. They’re tucked behind the shelves of furniture and artifacts at the back of the stage. There is so much confidence and connection between the musicians and singers. Fun 1970’s and 80’s costume styles by Rich Hamson, with detail to the three Alisons that make it clear that they are the same character at different stages, who even interact sometimes in the memories, scenes and songs. Lighting Design by Alice Trent. Sound Design by Katharine Horowitz.

You can see Fun Home at Theater Latté Da through May 11, 2025. A few performances have been added to accommodate the huge audience response. Several performances are already sold out, so reserve your seats soon! 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Write about a childhood memory. Now that you’re older, do you have a new perspective on that event, your family, or your circumstances?