Playwright: Jeanine Tesori ( music ), Lisa Kron ( book/lyrics ). At: Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: 800-775-2000; BroadwayInChicago.com; $25-$113. Runs through: Nov. 13
Many Windy City Times readers are familiar with Alison Bechdel's work, especially her comic strip, Dykes to Watch Out For, and Fun Home, her autobiographical graphic novel from which this 2015 Tony Award-winning musical is drawn.
They'll know the story basics, framed by an adult Bechdel recalling her childhood in small-town Pennsylvania and her coming-out while attending Oberlin College. "Fun home" is short for "funeral home," her father's family business where Alison and her siblings sometimes play. The title takes on additional colorations as the central story unfolds of Alison's relationship with her dad, a closeted gay man who intentionally stepped in front of a truck at the age of 44, soon after Alison came out to her parents.
Two stories intertwine, one simple and one complicated. Alison's is simple: tomboy grows up in an apparently happy and cultured home, goes to college, comes out and snags a girlfriend. The complicated story goes to her father, Bruce Bechdel, a temperamental and sometimes-controlling man with intimacy issues. Even when Alison comes out, he cannot reveal himself to the child ( among three ) who is most like him. Guilt, fear and self-loathing lead him to destruction when he sees himself in his daughter. "I had no idea that my beginning would be your ending," Alison says in a poignant and telling line. Of course, the story becomes complex for everyone as it progresses.
It's well-told and heartfelt, yet the story is familiar. Most readers have been through individual coming-out experiences and/or have known a closeted family member, although perhaps not a parent. A closeted parent isn't new to musicals, either, evidenced by the current revival of William Finn's 25-year-old Falsettos, and Far From Heaven, the 2013 musical of the 2002 film. The result is that Fun Homeespecially after Tony Award hypeis underwhelming. There's nothing bad, nothing wrong, nothing at fault and much to admire in this bittersweet show, but it's earnest rather than passionate.
Authors Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori neither inflate nor diminish Bechdel's story in crafting a touching and intimate musical, which runs 100 minutes without intermission, and which contains much humor and warmth despite the down ending. However, Fun Home should be seen in a much smaller theater than the Oriental since it's a chamber musical with no singing/dancing chorus or big production numbers and only a seven-piece orchestra. Like a classical chamber ensemble, the little band is rich with woodwinds and strings ( John Clancy, orchestrations ) under music director Micah Young.
The admirable, nuanced cast respects the story with Chicago veterans Robert Petkoff ( Bruce ) and Susan Moniz ( Alison's mom ) shining in lead roles. Kudos, too, for Kate Shindle ( Alison ), Alessandra Baldacchino ( Small Alison ), Abby Corrigan ( Middle Alison ) and Karen Eilbacher ( Alison's girlfriend ).