By Sandi Masori
CARLSBAD, California — If all you knew walking into the New Village Arts theater was that the program cover was brightly colored, that the show is a musical, and that the name of the show is Fun Home, you might think that you’re in for a lighthearted romp. And as the show opens, with a seemingly whimsical musical number, it does seem that way. We’re first presented with what appears to be the perfect family. But quickly we learn that they are anything but.
Tony award-winning Jewish playwright Lisa Kron uses a clever narrative device in which the main character Alison Bechdel (Rae Henderson-Gray) watches herself as a little girl (Lena Palke) and as a college student (Priya Richard) as she crafts autobiographical graphic novels.
Set in the 70s, and based on the real-life Alison Bechdel, the show delves into her struggling with understanding her father Bruce’s (Brent Roberts’) closeted gay life, his mistreatment of his wife Helen (Sarah Alida Leclair) and his suicide. We learn that “Fun Home” actually is a shortened way of saying “Funeral Home,” which is the family business. There’s an adorable scene when young Alison and her brothers Christian (Zayden McHardy) and John (Leo Jones) try to make a silly commercial for the mortuary. The audience giggles along throughout that number.
We also see Alison in college where she discovers her own lesbian identity and has her first romance with Joan (Lisette Velandia). There’s another really fun number as she awakens to her new romance with the song “Changing My Major” in which she sings about wanting to major in Joan. Actress Priya Richards is absolutely captivating in this role and often steals the scenes she’s in.
Henderson-Gray also deserves recognition for a delightful performance. With a bemused smile, she really captures the spirit of self-compassion as she watches and narrates her younger selves. Another standout is equity actor Roberts (whose appearance was sponsored by Jewish community members Julie and Jay Sarno.)
The entire width of the stage is used by set designer Yi-Chien Lee. On the left is her college dorm room, in the center is the childhood home’s main living room, and there are stairs to the right. A couple of scenes can be challenging to see as they take place on the far right of the stage. There’s a post that partially blocks visibility. I noticed a couple of people craning their necks to try to see around it.
Notwithstanding the quirky songs (music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Lisa Kron), the show is serious, and there are many warnings in writing and verbally before the curtains open that the material may be triggering to some, along with an invitation to look after your well-being and to get up and leave if you find yourself too triggered. Sometimes, when you build something up so much, the actual effect is less momentous than expected. Perhaps that was the point of the trigger warnings. Since we expect some major upheaval, what we get seems fairly tame.
While the play is serious, it’s also somehow heartwarming and makes you think about representation, about being seen, and about being true to yourself.
Fun Home runs through March 3.
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Sandi Masori is a food and theatre reviewer for San Diego Jewish World. When she’s not covering food or theatre, she helps authors self-publish, hangs out with her kids, and searches for the best sushi in town.