"Fun Home" - by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, and Alison Bechdel - Huntington Theatre Company (Boston, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Lyla Randall as “Small Alison” with Sarah Bockel as “Alison” in a moment from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"In an act of prestidigitation typical of the way my father juggled his public appearance and private reality, the evidence is simultaneously hidden and revealed."
- ("Alison") / Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel
Huntington Theatre Company
Presents the Broadway Musical
"FUN HOME"
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel
Directed by Logan Ellis
Music Director Jessie Rosso
Choreographer Taavon Gamble
Cast Includes: Lyla Randall as “Small Alison,” Maya Jacobson as “Medium Alison,” Sarah Bockel as “Alison,” Odin Vega as “Christian,” Caleb Levin as “John,” Nick Duckart as “Bruce,” Jennifer Ellis as “Helen,” Wyatt Anton as “Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby/Jeremy,” Sushma Saha as “Joan,” Maren Phifer as “U/S Small Alison,” Maya Bea Scott-Luib as “U/S Medium Alison, Joan,” Ryan Spry as “U/S Christian, John,” Nick Sulfaro as “U/S Bruce,” Lori L'Italien as “U/S Alison, Helen,” Keegan Sells as “U/S Roy, Pete, Mark, Bobby, Jeremy.”
Additional Creative Team:
Assistant Director - Alexandra Dietrich; Scenic Design - Tanya Orellana; Costume Design - Celeste Jennings; Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design - J. Jared Janas; Sound Design - Megumi Katayama; Lighting Design - Philip Rosenberg; Voice and Dialect Coach - Ashleigh Reade; Intimacy - Liv Dumaine; Assistant Music Director - Brendon Shapiro; Dramaturg - Christine Mok; Child Supervisor - Kate Rubel; Local Casting - Brett Duffy; NY Casting Director - Janet Foster, CSA; Production Stage Manager - Emily F. McMullen; Stage Manager - Lauren J. Burke.
Performances:
November 14, 2025 through December 14, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. 02115
TICKETS:
Available online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at 617-266-0800 or in person at THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
Huntington Theatre Company has brought to the stage the sensitive, multi-layered musical "FUN HOME" giving many outsiders a chance to look inside a family that chose not to look at what was apparent and right there in front of them...before it was too late.
Throughout the melancholy story, set in the 1970s and as written by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, the "FUN HOME" 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.
The story of "FUN HOME" is based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel and memoir, and the Huntington tale is told on an extremely intricate and exceptionally designed set, elegantly staged by director Logan Ellis, supplemented by fine choreography by Taavon Gamble.
The musical also features a top-notch house band located on a level above the stage (almost appearing as a painting hanging on the wall of the “Bechdel Home” itself) and which is conducted by Huntington Theatre Company music director Jessie Rosso.
"FUN HOME" originally won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and, with this latest staging by Ellis and the remarkable Huntington 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" (Lyla Randall).
Randall performs a beautiful rendition of the musical's most noted song, "Ring of Keys," as Small Alison recalling her very first crush.
(Photo: Lyla Randall as “Small Alison” with Nick Duckart as “Bruce” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
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" - at least for this Huntington production.
One of the brighter moments comes from the Bechdel children, specifically Small Alison with brothers Christian (Odin Vega) and John (Caleb Levin) when they perform the delightfully upbeat "Come to the Fun Home.”
The young actors in this Huntington Theatre production deserve tremendous praise for their collective contribution to a musical in which some of the content might be considered highly elevated and, as such, could be at times emotionally quite difficult.
However, these actors appear to handle the material like pros - perhaps because they are.
As the story progresses, and as Alison matures, the identity of her preferred sexuality becomes fully actualized during her college years, as seen through the eyes of "Medium Alison" (Maya Jacobson), and the direction the show soon takes us on a road to despair and disappointment with no turns and no off-ramp.
Jacobson showcases a rare talent for recognizing pivotal moments when sometimes an actor can say so much with just with a simple look or a glance, instinctively reacting on stage to much of what is going on around Medium Alison.
Jacobson also does a splendid job rendering the song about Medium Alison describing her first real love in the song "Changing My Major."
(Photo: Lyla Randall as “Small Alison” with Sarah Bockel as “Alison” in a moment from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
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 (Sarah Bockel), who serves as our POV throughout the show.
Thanks to how the show is constructed and under the direction of Logan Ellis, the fine collection of "Alisons" blends so well that the trio is decisively believable as the one central character.
"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.
"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.
My…how times have changed.
The Huntington Theatre Company musical 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 (Nick Duckart), who is shown to have endured a multitude of demons after decades suppressing his own queer identity.
(Photo: Lyla Randall as “Small Alison” with Nick Duckart as “Bruce” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
As anguished as Bruce is, his wife, Helen (Jennifer Ellis), finds herself in the position of sharing in the concealment of her husband's closeted gay life.
Jennifer Ellis is quite compelling in the role of Helen, showing us the depth of Helen’s distress over her life’s choices, conveyed to Alison in the moving and cautionary, "Days and Days."
Not really a spoiler here but adding more for context - born in 1936, Alison Bechdel's father, Bruce, was only 44 years old when he died in 1980.
Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, I can attest to losing people in my own life who perhaps may have felt as deeply suppressed and anguished as her father.
Duckart’s portrayal of Bruce and his manic moments is both sensitively approached and focused on letting us know his torment.
However, the above would still not excuse any of Bruce’s own unacceptable actions, at least those depicted here pertaining to underage men.
(Photo: Maya Jacobson as “Medium Alison” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
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.
Music Director Jessie Rosso has assembled a fine pit which performs the musical's complex score to perfection.
Choreography by Taavon Gamble accentuates the Huntington Theatre musical's few actual "dance numbers" (like in the aforementioned "Welcome to the Fun Home" and later in the fun, upbeat song, "Raincoat of Love") and also complimented the rest of the show's staging by Logan Ellis.
At a run time of one hour, 40 minutes (no intermission), not one second is wasted as we become absolutely absorbed in Bechdel's poignant tale and deeply moving memories.
(Photo: Sarah Bockel as “Alison” with Nick Duckart as “Bruce” in a scene from the musical "FUN HOME" by Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron and Alison Bechdel, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through December 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin)
"FUN HOME" continues from Huntington Theatre Company until December 14th, 2025 and we encourage you to "find your way to the 'FUN HOME' - that's the Bechdel Funeral Home, baby" - which sits squarely in the space at 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston.
Coming up next at the Huntington Theatre venue at the Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street will be “WE HAD A WORLD” by Joshua Harmon, which runs from February 12th through March 16th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, contact Huntington Theatre Company online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at # 617-266-0800 or in person at THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
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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, directed by Logan Ellis.
ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY
THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY is Boston’s leading professional theatre and one of the region’s premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, THE HUNTINGTON brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. THE HUNTINGTON runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. THE HUNTINGTON has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert the Huntington Avenue Theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. THE HUNTINGTON cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form.
