‘Fun Home’: A musical for all

It’s the holiday season once again and theater companies are mounting well-loved, family-oriented, child-friendly musicals. Atlantis Productions’ ongoing staging of Fun Home, the first international production of this 5-time Tony Award-winning American musical, is no exception. But unlike the trite, tired, and cloying productions expected of the season, Fun Home stands out.

It has globally renowned Lea Salonga in a riveting onstage performance – her first in the Philippines since 2012; Cris Villonco in her most brilliant performance yet – a contentious thing to say, since just about every one of her performances is brilliant and she is her own tough act to follow; Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, who proves herself equally stellar; and the perfectly cast Eric Kunze, who has starred in Broadway productions like Miss Saigon, Damn Yankees, and Les Miserables, where he played Marius opposite Salonga’s Eponine. 

It has infectiously toe-tapping tunes, performed with the crystalline voices of Salonga, Villongco, Bradshaw, and a live band. It has the same creative team led by director Bobby Garcia, who was behind the recent flawless staging of Jersey Boys. It’s got 1970s nostalgia. It’s got tender moments between an adorable daughter and her doting father. ([READ] ‘Jersey Boys’ review: The boys are back in town)

This musical has heart. 

Fun Home is also a heartbreaker, having been derived from the real life story of a lesbian’s illustrated memoir about her efforts to make sense of her secretly gay father’s suicide. 

It tells the story of cartoonist Alison Bechdel, on whose 2006 graphic memoir, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, the musical was based on. There are 3 actors playing her part: Cris Villonco as the 40-something Alison, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as the “medium” Alison in college, and Katie Bradshaw and Andee Achacoso alternating as the “small” Alison.

She reveals her childhood in the gorgeous home of her father Bruce Bechdel – antique restorer, army veteran, school teacher, and part-time mortician – deftly played by Eric Kunze. It is to the Bechdel Funerary Home that the small Alison and her siblings, who played hide and seek inside unused coffins, innocently refer to as the Fun Home. As Alison comes of age and discovers her sexuality as well as that of her father’s, fun also becomes a synonym for gay. These realizations come with an appreciation for the silent suffering of her mother, former school teacher and actor Helen Bechdel, played with intense subtlety by Lea Salonga. 

Kunze’s deft depiction of such a complex character allows audiences to empathize and look up to Bruce Bechdel the same way Alison would, yet shudder at how hurtful and tortured he is as a father and husband.

Villonco’s sincere portrayal of the 40-something Alison wins over even the most critical of audiences. Bradshaw made audiences gush along with her giddy and lovable portrayal of the college student Alison. Salonga, in portraying the silently suffering mother Helen Bechdel, spoke volumes with but a few words.

Also playing key roles are Yanah Laurel as Joan – Alison’s girlfriend in college; Laurence Mossman as Roy, Pete, Mark and Bobby Jeremy – the various youths Alison’s father seduces; Daniel Drilon and Ronan Crisologo as Alison’s brother Christian; and Noel Comia, and Albert Silos as Alison’s other brother John.

The creative team backstage – no less brilliant than the cast – is composed of director Bobby Garcia, musical director Ceejay Javier, vocal director ManMan Angsico, choreographer Cecile Martinez, light designer Adam Honoré, set designer Faust Peneyra, costume designer Oz Go, sound designer Kevin Heard, projection designer GA Fallarme, and hair and make up designer Johann dela Fuente.

Noteworthy amid such a flawless production was the use of real antique-style furniture – a set that would seemingly please the exacting standards of Bruce Bechdel himself. The use of live music was also essential.

Atlantis Productions’ Fun Home is, to reiterate, perfect for the family – the adult family, that is, because children are of all ages, and men and women will always be fathers and mothers in their children’s eyes, regardless of adulthood.

Of course, the material itself is finely crafted. Adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, the musical was honed and polished through several readings as early as 2009 before it premiered Off-Broadway in 2014 and on Broadway in 2015, becoming the most awarded musical that year. This staging by Atlantis Productions marks the very first staging of the Fun Home internationally.

It’s the must-see musical for the Christmas season, with humor and heartache that appeals to all. Like a much-needed hug, this show makes audiences cry and laugh. Christmas won’t be complete without it.

At a time when populist leaders across the globe are emboldening bigots everywhere, this heartwarming and honest musical is more poignant than ever, most especially this holiday season. – Rappler.com 

Fun Home performs until November 27, with matinee shows on weekends, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Children below 7 are not permitted inside the theater; the show is recommended for agest 13 and up.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld (https://www.ticketworld.com.ph or +632-8919999). Ticket prices start at P1,567.50.

Writer, graphic designer, and business owner Rome Jorge is passionate about the arts. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of asianTraveler Magazine, Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times, and cover story writer for MEGA and Lifestyle Asia Magazines, RomeJorge has also covered terror attacks, military mutinies, and mass demonstrations as well as reproductive health, gender equality, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other important issues. He is also the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio.