A groundbreaking musical based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel, FUN HOME explores Alison’s life at three different ages, delving into her journey of discovering her sexuality, as well as her relationship with a hot-tempered father, with hidden secrets and desires all his own. 42nd Street Moon is proud to present the Bay Area regional premiere of this five-time Tony Award winning triumph, a refreshingly honest, wholly original story about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

The true star of Fun Home the musical currently running at 42nd St Moon, is director Tracy Ward. The show is already excellent, an adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel about her childhood, coming out and her father’s closetedness. Lisa Kron and composer Jeanine Tesori beautifully created this peace. So Ward starts with great material, and then she makes it real and beautiful to watch and listen to (the very talented Dave Dubrosky) is the music director). Under Ward’s lovingly guiding hand, every moment has meaning and emotion. And the pictures Ward creates--the visual movement and moments are simply stunning. Mark Mendel designed the set and Michael Palumbo the lighting. And then there are the costumes, which Brooke Jennings has designed exquisitely. The show boasts some wonderful performances, notably Rinabeth Apostol as Alison who spends a lot of time in the back reliving all these moments with her younger self and family. Oh, and the younger self--Teresa Attridge--is fantastic! While Jennifer Boesing’s voice was a little too soft for my ears, her performance as the mother was very strong, and Rudy Guerrero has several lovely moments, as does Jaron Vesely as troubled Dad Bruce. I did see the original Broadway production, and I am very fond of several songs, including the powerful “Keys” sung by child Alison and “Days and Days” sung by the mom. I am going to have these feeling sit with me for many days.

—Jerry Metzker