Fun Home: A review

After hearing that my friends enjoyed Fun Home, and also knowing that it won the Tony for Best Musical in 2015, I knew I had to see it when it came out my way. I went into it not really knowing what to expect. I had only sort of heard one song when the show first came to Broadway, but that was about it. I also saw a portrait of Alison Bechdel at the National Portrait Gallery in DC. And I've heard a lot of good things about the book, as well. After seeing the show, I am definitely curious to check out the book!

The one thing that surprised me was that the story was not told in a linear fashion. There were multiple flashbacks to Alison's childhood and her college years. I also didn't know that the adult version of Alison would be on stage almost the entire time, observing her past.  She only sang a little bit, but had some powerful songs toward the end. Small Alison and Medium Alison (yes, that's what they were called) carried most of the show. So we didn't really get to know adult Alison as much as I was expecting to. Her story was told through her past personas. I didn't know much about Alison's father or her relationship with him either. I just went into the show knowing that it was about a family that worked at a funeral home (or at least that's how it sounded) and the main character became a lesbian.

I wouldn't do the musical any justice by describing it. There isn't really a full synopsis, other than to just see how the entire story plays out, courtesy of Wikipedia. (That did help me after the fact, as I was confused about some more abstract parts.) This is the synopsis for the book, from Goodreads:

Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the Fun Home. It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. A few weeks after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve.

In terms of music, I don't know that the songs were as memorable as songs from musicals I know like the back of my hand. I didn't really come out of the theater singing them. However, I could probably listen to the soundtrack and pick up a few tunes over time. Also, not having a list of songs in the Playbill made it hard for me to know which was which. The songs I liked best were: "Come to the Fun Home" (the one I heard a while back),  "Changing My Major," "Raincoat of Love," and "Ring of Keys." That's not to say I didn't like the others, but these four stood out the most. The singing was strong and powerful on all songs and they carried the feel of the story really well.

As for the acting, everyone did a great job. I thought it was cool that Kate Shindle, the actress who played adult Alison was in the Original Broadway Cast of Legally Blonde (Vivienne). Also, Susan Moniz, who played Helen (Alison's mother), had performed in Chicago theater for a long time. I know I saw her in a show at a professional theater in the suburbs. Possibly Into the Woods? The performer I liked the most in this production was Abby Corrigan, who played Medium Alison (the one in college). She had such vulnerability in her role and an amazing voice to boot. Plus, I have to give kudos to anyone who will sing on stage while wearing a shirt, underpants, and knee socks!

As for the set, it was pretty diverse. There was a lot happening on stage at various times, which the set allowed for when the show first started. Later, there was just a brick wall with two doors and simulated windows. Then the home changed and looked more complete, but also seemed to take over the stage even when they were supposed to be outside the home. Afterward, it went back to the way it was at the beginning. I wasn't sure what the vertical "Luncheonette" sign behind the on-stage orchestra was about, and it just made me think of Parenthood.

The set at the beginning

The costumes were okay. I get why Alison wore mostly masculine looking clothes. There weren't a lot of costume changes per character. They just rotated between the same shirts and pants. Only the guy who played multiple parts wore a variety of costumes. I liked Joan's outfit the best. It reminded me of something a character from Rent would have worn, even though the timing didn't match up. She had cool hair too.

Overall, it was an impressive production. There were moments that just felt painful, and others where I laughed out loud. The cast had a strong dynamic on stage and worked well together. I would have liked to know more about Alison as an adult, but maybe that just wasn't the point. Now I'm off to listen to the soundtrack...

If you have seen Fun Home, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! 

Book Review: Splinters of Light

Since this book was already reviewed over at Chick Lit Central, I'm sharing my thoughts about it here.

Ten years ago, Nora Glass started writing essays about being a single mother of a six-year-old daughter. Her weekly column made her a household name, and over the years, her fans have watched Ellie grow from a toddler to a teenager.

But now Nora is facing a problem that can’t be overcome. Diagnosed with a devastating disease that will eventually take away who she is, she is scared for herself, but even more frightened about what this will mean for her sixteen-year-old daughter.

Now Nora has no choice but to let go of her hard-won image as a competent, self-assured woman, and turn to the one person who has always relied on her: her twin sister, Mariana. Nora and Mariana couldn’t be more different from one another, and they’ve always had a complicated relationship. But now the two sisters will have to summon the strength to help them all get through a future none of them could have ever imagined, while uncovering the joy and beauty that was always underneath. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I received Splinters of Light as a prize from a book giveaway over at The Book Sage. I was told by Lloyd that I could choose one of his favorite books to be sent to me. He had been recommending Splinters for quite some time, so I was curious to check it out. As soon as it arrived, it went into my five-book pile. I recently had the chance to devour it over my holiday break, and devour it I did! I have recommended several authors to Lloyd and he adds all their books to his TBR once he likes one. I feel like doing this with Rachael Herron now, as well.

While the reviewer at my book blog didn’t like the interludes where excerpts from Nora’s book were featured, I happened to really enjoy those parts. I liked how Nora and Ellie had certain holiday traditions and rituals and then seeing how they changed in the present, whether it was due to age or Nora’s diagnosis (or a mix of both), or even some other factors. What also worked well for me was the genuine and honest dialogue. The characters didn’t hold back in what they needed to say. I felt like I was right in the middle of an argument sometimes.

I really liked Ellie best from all the characters, but I tend to flock to teenagers in books. Even if the novels are intended for adults, if there is a strong teen protagonist, it totally enhances the story. Ellie had a strong voice and a compelling narrative.

What drew me in the most was imagining the unimaginable (pardon the Hamilton reference). I know I forget things a lot of the time, especially if I don’t write it down right away. However, I still remember where I live, how to read, what day it is, etc. Seeing Nora’s memory gradually deteriorate just over the span of a year was unsettling in a “watching a train wreck” sort of way. I didn’t like that it was happening to her, but I couldn’t abandon her either. I had to know what was going to happen. However, the story ended at the end of that tumultuous year, and now I need to know what happens after the end of the story. I’m hoping Rachael will someday give us another year with the characters. Maybe five years down the road, when Ellie is on the cusp of finishing college and becoming an adult herself. Is she going to ever find out if she’s a carrier of the gene that causes Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease? What is Mariana up to now? Has Nora completely succumbed to her memory loss, or was she able to hold on a few years longer? The book needs a sequel!

However, what I wouldn’t want to see in a sequel (should there ever be one) is all the sentimentality and symbolism. I felt like the sea glass and even the computer game analogies were used way too much. And while I love my children (and sister), I don’t wrap my affections into a pretty package every time I tell them so. I felt like I was reading a Hallmark card at times. Also, I would ask that Rachael stays consistent within the narratives of each character. There were many times, especially during Ellie’s narrations, that Nora would go from “her mother” to “Mom” or Mariana would go from “her aunt” to “Auntie.” (Ex. “She was mad at her mother” and then “she wanted to give Mom a hug”.)

Overall, I was very impressed with this novel and still can’t stop thinking about it!

This would make for an incredible movie, and here's who I would cast.
Nora: Rosemarie DeWitt
Mariana: Carla Gugino
Ellie: Hana Hayes
Luke: Michael Trucco
Harrison: Brian d'Arcy James

More by Rachael Herron:



Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."