By HANNAH WING-BONICA
It’s been twenty years since Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home made itself known in the graphic novel scene. It was only ten years later that Bechdel’s work became a hit on Broadway, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. Now, Fun Home has returned to Pennsylvania, specifically Trafford, in a production by The Theatre Factory. In Fun Home, the adult Alison Bechdel reflects on her relationship with her father, Bruce, who is a closeted gay man, and her own coming out as a lesbian. The Theatre Factory’s production of Fun Home, directed and choreographed by Laura Wurzell with musical direction by Chris McAllister, features a stellar trio of Alisons and honors the Tony-Award Winning musical’s iconic songs like “Ring of Keys.”
The trio of Alisons include Katie Kerr as adult Alison, Elli Anna Vallow as Medium Alison, and Kacie Capanna as Small Alison. Kerr’s Alison mostly acts as a narrator, guiding the audience through as she relives and sketches her memories. However, there is one instance where Kerr’s Alison switches places with her college self, Medium Alison, and sits in the passenger seat next to her father, Bruce (Ben Wren). During the car ride, Alison and Bruce both struggle to have a conversation about their queerness in the song, “Telephone Wire.” It’s such an emotional song, and both Wren and Kerr bring this quiet but tense energy as they continue to bury what they truly want to say to each other.
Vallow’s Medium Alison struggles with coming out as a lesbian, but with the support of Joan, played by Maria Perez, Alison becomes more confident in who she is, and expresses this with the song, “Changing My Major.” It’s a whimsical (and at times, very funny) song, and Vallow pulls it off with sincerity and a dash of comedic charm as Alison falls in love for the first time. Then there’s the song, “Ring of Keys,” which is perhaps one of the most beloved songs from Fun Home. It’s a song about young Alison seeing a butch lesbian and identifying with her. It’s such a sweet song and Capanna hits all the right notes. The Alisons are supported by an energetic cast which includes: Ben Wren as Bruce Bechdel, Missy Newell as Helen Bechdel, Maria Perez as Joan, Evan Hoffman as Christian Bechdel, Blake Buchan as John Bechdel, and Ky MacLaughlin as Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy.
At the center of Fun Home is the relationship between Alison and Bruce. The Theatre Factory’s Fun Home brings the father-daughter dynamic right from the pages from Bechdel’s memoir and straight to the stage. No matter who is playing Alison – Ben Wren’s Bruce is ever present as this father figure who oscillates from loving to terrifying in a matter of seconds. There is love between Bruce and Alison, but they also have a hard time trying to communicate and understand one another to the very end.
A production like Fun Home needs a solid set, and Chris McAllister, who designed the set, and production’s scenic team create the bones of an old house with a set completely made out of lath, the pieces of wood used to hold up plaster. This design mirrors Alison trying to remember details of her family home and shows how the house isn’t quite finished yet in Bruce’s eyes as he is constantly working on it. Projections are cleverfully used to show Alison’s drawings or even bits of colorful wallpaper. A sound issue towards the show’s beginning caused the orchestra to be louder than the singers, but this was quickly remedied and it did not impact the rest of the show’s musical numbers.
Fans of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel should definitely see The Theatre Factory’s production of Fun Home. And even if you haven’t gotten a chance to read Fun Home, the musical will inspire you to seek it out.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
The Theatre Factory’s production of Fun Home is a limited run from June 5-13, 2026 at the Trafford Performing Arts Center. Tickets at: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/the-theatre-factory1/686d58a1f76be20fb2cc3c9e/tickets#/productions-view
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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