Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...The show is about many things: the strangeness, alienation and dark sense of humor that flows from growing up so close to death; the way the moment of our birth dictates our ability to be, or not be, ourselves; the central place our parents and our happy/sad childhoods occupy in our adult memories. Lisa Kron's book of the musical is a magnificent achievement, not least for how well it universalizes Alison's story by breaking her up into three personas, played by separate actors. "Fun Home" is hardly the first memory-based musical but it is uncommonly well-crafted in terms of its distinguishing between time and place, objective events and subjective memory."
Stage and Cinema
- Highly Recommended
"...Beautifully directed by Stephen Schellhardt, a consistency of performance excellence pervades the show. As for his team, it’s hard to imagine a show with a stronger creative foundation. Surprisingly fluid, discreetly evocative and inhabiting its own realm of enchantment, Jonathon Berg-Einhorn’s set design wonderfully frames Bechdel’s living memoir. Rachel West’s and Riley Woods’ striking and ingenious lighting add gilding to that perfect rose. The orchestra, led by Heidi Joosten as director and conductor, is ravishing."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"... “Fun Home” shares how Bechdel unlocks memories, milestones and mysteries of her youth as she begins to write her first graphic novel. With a compassionate score and brilliant lyrics, Fun Home tells the story of seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. The music is often eerie and the lyrics are there to let the story and give us more insight to what Alison is experiencing. You may not be humming any tunes as you leave the theater, but you will feel the impact of several of the songs and their deep meaning."
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...This revival isn't trying to be the Broadway tour and it's all the better for it. As evidenced by the part of Allison's mother originated by Judy Kuhn played here by Neala Barron with a wildly different take. Gone is the passive mid-century housewife this part is typically played as. Barron takes Helen in a darker direction that perhaps more accurately captures the suppressed rage flowing through Tesori's music."
The Fourth Walsh
- Highly Recommended
"...'Fun home' may conjure up carnival-like expectations. Although it is definitely fun and is about home, this show has more depth and breadth than a typical musical. It's based on Alison Bechdel's critically-acclaimed graphic novel about growing up in a funeral home, 'coming out' and her father's suicide. The creative team of Jeanine Tesori (music) and Lisa Kron (book and lyrics) reimagine Bechdel's life on stage put to music. Their groundbreaking results garnered 7 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a poignantly captivating show!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre
- Highly Recommended
"...In sum, even with such ache to contend with, there was palpable uplift by show’s end. “Fun Home” is a call that the work ahead must be pragmatic and clear-headed, and that in appealing to a large audience with a universal message, one must never lose sight of the specifics. In balance, things can soar."
Third Coast Review
- Recommended
"...Fun Home became a hit Broadway musical in 2013. Jeanine Tesori composed the music, and Lisa Kron wrote the book and lyrics. Bechdel was a light in the LGBTQ firmament who showed that her upbringing was mainstream and more common than some folks were willing to admit. Porchlight Music Theatre premiered its new production of Fun Home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Stephen Schellhardt directs the show, and Heidi Joosten directs the music. It's worth venturing out in a frigid Chicago cold snap to hear the music and watch the story of the Bechdel family as they navigate life in the closet of American expectations."
PicksInSix
- Highly Recommended
"...Byrnes is a commanding force as Bruce, sheltering his true nature behind the veil of dutiful teacher, husband, father and community mortician while fighting to control an inner rage that will ultimately tear the family apart. Early on, his efforts to shield Alison and her siblings-Eli Vander Griend and Charlie Long alternating as Christian, and Austin Hartung and Hayes McCracken alternating as John-plays out as a domineering perfectionist but not without a sensitivity to literature, art, culture and a flair for restoration projects like the funeral parlor coined the 'Fun Home' by his children."
Allie and the After Party
- Recommended
"...I did see Fun Home when it was here on tour a few years ago, so perhaps because I already knew what was coming, it didn't have as much of an emotional impact on me this time around. But that's not to say this cast doesn't deliver on the emotions. All of the main characters pack a punch and dig deep to find the most vulnerable parts of these characters to show us. So if you are ready for a personal growth journey, Fun Home would be a good fit for you."
BroadwayWorld
- Highly Recommended
"...Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron’s FUN HOME is a musical journey in sketches through the memories of Alison Bechdel, as she comes into her queer identity and as she tries to unpack her immensely complicated relationship with her troubled, stern, and closeted father, Bruce, who died by suicide when she was in college. Based on the graphic memoir of the same name — and so called because the Bechdel family business was a funeral home — Porchlight director Stephen Schellhardt’s production brings each scene sharply to life."
NewCity Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Running throughout the musical is the simple refrain "maybe not right now." Given the current political environment, I fear that for too many of us (and especially those who identify as non-binary or trans) "maybe not right now" is the sad answer to whether or not this is the right time to be our true selves. While this musical might not make the world right, it is sure to give comfort to many throughout this long Chicago winter."
