"Fun Home" - by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel - A Common Thread Theatre Company (Framingham, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Kristen Aldrich as “Alison,” Elinor Walling as “Small Alison” and Paul Murphy as “Bruce” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. now playing through February 22, 2026. Photo Credits: Kristin Fehlau and Jill Mack)
By Emily D. Baldwin
Special METRMAG Correspondent Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“If there was ever a bigger pansy than my father, it was Marcel Proust!"
- ("Alison") / Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel
A Common Thread Theatre Company
Presents the Musical
"FUN HOME"
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel
Director and Choreographer Jacob Lavoie
Music Director Kathryn Denney
Cast Includes: Kristen Aldrich as “Alison,” Elinor Walling as “Small Alison,” Alyse Clinton as “Medium Alison,” Paul Murphy as “Bruce,” Carlyn Schneyer as “Helen,” Finn Miller as “Christian,” Arden McAuliffe as “John,” Orly Krupp as “Joan,” Maggie Fayer as “Bobby Jeremy/Pete,” Liam Devine as “Roy/Mark.”
Additional Creative Team:
Producer - Jill Mack; Stage Manager - Mariah Bundy; Production Manager - Kellen Delaney; Intimacy Coordinator - Jordan Mitchell; Lighting Design - Roxanne Nute, Peter Nute; Lighting Crew - Kellen Delaney, Monica Ruiz, Betsy Adams; Sound Design - Bryce Denney, Ed Council; Sound Crew - Turina Garrant; Deck Captain - Sanika Agrawal; Crew - Liam Devine; Costume Design and Construction - Carolyn Olson; Props - Carolyn Olson, Deirdre Bergeron; Costumes and Props Crew - Fiona Smith, Alyse Clinton; Set Design - Jacob lavoie; Set Construction - Liam Devine, Peter Allia; Set Dressing - Carolyn Olson; Set Painting - Monica Ruiz, Jane Adams; Hair and Make-up - Fiona Smith.
Performances:
February 13, 2026 through February 22, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Dennison Memorial Hall, Boston Church of Christ, 214 Concord Street, Framingham, MA. 01702
TICKETS:
# 508-834-4682
https://www.acommonthreadtheatre.org/box-office
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
A Common Thread Theatre Company brings to their stage in Framingham the sensitive, multi-layered musical "FUN HOME" focusing on one family that chose to look away and ignore that which was right there in front of them...before it was too late.
The musical "FUN HOME" is based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel and memoir, and the Common Thread production is staged and choreographed by director Jacob Lavoie.
Throughout the melancholy story, set in the 1970s and as written by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, the audience experiences Alison Bechdel’s evolution as she shares memories that reflect different stages of her life.
Some moments reminisced are humorous, even celebratory.
Others? Not so much, because "FUN HOME" is a story not just about a young girl, not just about her sexual identity, not just about her family's acceptance and/or denial of her emergence.
In the Common Thread musical, "FUN HOME" is more about love itself in every aspect but mostly in the acceptance of a kind of love existing in a time when acceptance was overwhelmed by intolerance.
The musical "FUN HOME" originally won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and, with this latest staging by Lavoie and the Common Thread creative team and ensemble, follows the character of “Alison” through three significant phases in her life.
We first witness Bechdel's initial queerness feelings emerge during childhood as seen through the eyes of "Small Alison" (Elinor Walling).
Walling beams, especially when performing a beautiful rendition of the musical's “signature” song, "Ring of Keys," as Small Alison recalling her very first crush.
(Photo: Elinor Walling as “Small Alison” with Arden McAuliffe as “John" in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. now playing through February 22, 2026. Photo Credits: Kristin Fehlau and Jill Mack)
It should be noted that, while the musical does have a reputation for being depressing or maudlin, there are some extremely amusing moments here, as well, thankfully infusing some much needed “fun” into "FUN HOME" for this Common Thread staging.
One of the lighter moments in the story comes courtesy of the Bechdel children, specifically Small Alison with brothers Christian (Finn Miller) and John (Arden McAuliffe) when they perform the cute and upbeat, "Come to the Fun Home.”
The audience will seriously need to suspend disbelief, though, as one of the siblings is clearly played by an adult when supposedly only 10 years old.
As Alison gets older, her preferred sexuality becomes fully actualized during her college years, as seen through the eyes of "Medium Alison" (Alyse Clinton), and the direction the show soon takes us on a road to despair and disappointment with no turns and no off-ramp.
As Medium Alison, Clinton has fine comedic timing and does a commendable job rendering the song "Changing My Major" describing Alison’s first real love with fellow student Joan (Orly Krupp).
The chemistry between Clinton and Krupp is evident in their scenes together.
The ongoing complexities of Alison’s family and the revelation(s) of seeing her parents as they truly were is recalled by Alison as an adult (Kristen Aldrich), who serves as our POV throughout the show.
(Photo: Kristen Aldrich portrays “Alison” in the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. now playing through February 22, 2026. Photo Credits: Kristin Fehlau and Jill Mack)
Thanks to how the show is constructed and under the direction of Common Thread Theatre Company's Jacob Lavoie, the fine collection of "Alisons" blends so well that the trio is decisively believable as the one central character.
Also, the costuming choice of having all three "Alisons" in unison plaid costumes should not be overlooked.
In its inventive musical form, this story shines a light on Alison’s emergence and ultimate embrace of her own sexuality.
However, it simultaneously showcases Alison’s seemingly wanting relationship with her troubled father, the emotionally distant Bruce (Paul Murphy), who is shown to have endured a multitude of demons after decades suppressing his own queer identity.
Murphy approaches the character of Bruce admirably, although there did seem to be a noticeable "disconnect" during the February 14th Common Thread performance, although this could be understandable given the sheer level of complexity of Bruce’s tortured life.
As anguished as Bruce is, his wife, Helen (Carolyn Schneyer), finds herself in the position of sharing in the concealment of her husband's closeted gay life.
While occasionally obscured by a misplaced piano, Schneyer impresses as Helen, with the text showcasing the extent of Helen’s distress over her life’s choices, conveyed to Alison in the moving and cautionary, "Days and Days."
While the set well utilized the entire stage, in addition to the piano, there were some other notable sightline issues, including during one scene involving a pivotal moment between Bruce and Alison; and also during the song, "Days and Days."
As we witness, Alison attempts to comprehend her father’s existence when homosexuality was (and to some extent still is) something more to be suppressed.
During this exploration somehow Alison seems inspired – if not rebellious - to openly acknowledge and ultimately embrace her own existence.
(Photo: Kristen Aldrich as “Alison” overlooks Elinor Walling as “Small Alison” with Paul Murphy as “Bruce” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. now playing through February 22, 2026. Photo Credits: Kristin Fehlau and Jill Mack)
In addition to the aforementioned sightline issues, the February 14th performance by Common Thread was also beset by several sound cue issues.
The live Common Thread orchestra is guided well by Music Director Kathryn Denney to present the musical's complex score and the production has many musical highlights given how well the voices of the ensemble blend, especially when the three Alison’s sing in unison.
At a run time of one hour, 40 minutes (with no intermission), not one second is wasted as we become engrossed by Bechdel's poignant tale and deeply moving memories.
So, "find your way to the "FUN HOME" by February 22nd, 2026 - "that's the Bechdel Funeral Home, baby" - which sits squarely in the space on Concord Avenue in Framingham with A Common Thread Theatre Company.
For tickets and more information, contact the Box Office at # 508-834-4682 or visit https://www.acommonthreadtheatre.org/box-office
BUY TICKETS
Approximately one hour, 40 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Winner of Five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book!
Winner of Two Obie Awards, including Outstanding Musical!
"FUN HOME" is a beloved, groundbreaking, and emotionally rich story of seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, the musical "FUN HOME" traces Alison through childhood, college, and adulthood, as she unravels her complex relationship with a brilliant, volatile, and closeted father.
How have the mysteries of her father’s life shaped her own understanding of love and self-acceptance?
With a soaring score by Jeanine Tesori and a sharp, heartfelt book by Lisa Kron, "FUN HOME" is a beautiful, can’t-miss theatrical experience.
ABOUT A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY
A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY is a community theatre, founded by local theatre veterans, which seeks to unite the Greater Boston area under a common goal: to foster, promote, and increase the public knowledge and appreciation of the arts and cultural activities through theatre and other artistic endeavors. We are committed to providing the hands-on training and education of actors, designers, directors and others involved in theatre productions. A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY may be a new name but its board members and instructors have been producing, directing, and creating theatre in the Metrowest area for the past decade.
A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY
Phone # 508-834-4682
