Tony-Winning Musical ‘Fun Home’ Come to Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tony Sokol

In Alison Bechdel’s 2006 best-selling graphic memoir “Fun Home,” the autobiographical main character is upstaged, demoted from protagonist in her drama to comic relief in her parent’s tragedy. She learns that her father had affairs with other men, and the devastating effects of a lifetime spent hiding one’s erotic truth. She decides that sexual shame is in itself a kind of death. But there is no shame attached to the musical performance of the play, “Fun Home,” which opened at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, Calif. on Aug. 1, and runs until August. 6.

“Gather your LGBTQ brothers and sisters for a remarkable night of theater with the critically-acclaimed 2015 Tony Award winner for Best Musical,” reads the official synopsis. “’Fun Home’ is a groundbreaking musical which features a lesbian leading role for the first time on Broadway. The story introduces us to Alison at three different ages, as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood, revealing memories of her uniquely dysfunctional family that have shaped and defined her in surprising ways. Through her journey to self-acceptance, the musical also tells a refreshingly honest and universal story about family and seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.”

The musical is based on cartoonist Bechdel’s childhood in rural Pennsylvania in the 1970s. The book and lyrics to “Fun Home” were written by Lisa Kron. The play features music by Jeanine Tesori. Kron and Tesori were the first female writing team to be win the Best Score prize at the Tony Awards.

The producers also invited the audience to share breakfast and mimosas with the “Fun Home” company to celebrate the “powerful landmark production” at an after-party at Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The producers note that, while the musical is accessible to many ages, it is not recommended for children under 13.

Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center is the home of the Pacific Chorale, Opera Pacific, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The Orange County Performing Arts Center opened for business in September of 1986.

“Fun Home” runs from Aug. 1 to Aug. 6 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.