Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

The Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home traces the coming-of-age of lesbian author Alison Bechdel, from her youth, to her years at Oberlin College, and finally to the present, where Alison, now grown, is struggling to write her own graphic autobiography. As Alison reflects on her past, she struggles to make sense of it, particularly her relationship with her father, Bruce, a closeted gay man and the owner of the family business -- the Bechdel Funeral Home (“fun” home, as it’s known to young Alison and her brothers, John and Christian). As she watches her father’s self-loathing consume him, Alison recognizes her own experience of discovering, and ultimately embracing, her identity. As Fun Home progresses, Alison is drawn deeper and deeper into her memories, finally entering into them, desperate (but unable) to reverse her father’s self-destruction. An unforgettable and groundbreaking musical, Fun Home explores the haunting pull of memory and the power it has to alternately destroy or shape, our identity.

Show Information

Book
Lisa Kron
Lyrics
Lisa Kron
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Fun Home
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2013
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
beech creek, 1970s; oberlin college, 1980s; new york, present day, pennsylvania
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Child Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Bruce

Lead

Male

Baritone

Alison

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Helen

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Medium Alison

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Small Alison

Supporting

Female

Alto

John

Featured

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Christian

Featured

Male

Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby Jeremy

Featured

Male

Tenor

Joan

Featured

Female

Alto

Songs

  • It All Comes Back (Opening): Small Alison, Alison, Bruce, and Company
  • Welcome to our House on Maple Avenue: Helen, Alison, Small Alison, John, Christian, Bruce, and Roy
  • Not Too Bad: Medium Alison
  • *Come to the Fun Home: Small Alison, Christian, John
  • Helen’s Etude: Alison, Helen, Bruce, Roy, Small Alison, Medium Alison, John, and Christian
  • Party Dress: Bruce, Small Alison, Medium Alison
  • Changing my Major: Medium Alison
  • Maps: Alison
  • *Raincoat of Love: Bobby Jeremy and Company
  • Ring of Keys: Small Alison
  • Days and Days: Helen
  • Telephone Wire: Alison and Bruce
  • Edges of the World: Bruce
  • Flying Away: Alison, Medium Alison, and Small Alison

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    The accepted generic term for the LGBTQ+ theatre movement.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: