Fun Home (Chicago)

I listened to Fun Home several times before seeing the show. You really have to see this show, it is truly a powerful show! It will make your laugh and cry (but I cry through everything). The cast was OUTSTANDING, so on point with the characters. I was up in the balcony and if I do see Fun Home again I will want to be up close to see their facial expressions.

Music was good, certainly well acted. Probably could've used a little trim, or make it two acts.

This show was honest, funny and heartbreaking. So well done and many layered. Thought provoking.

Mediocre music, mediocre talent, good script. We expected more talent, better songs.

This is a wonderful show. It is funny and touching and extremely thought provoking. Regardless of your background or how you personally identify, it is relatable on many levels. The way the story is weaved through time is masterful. Great acting & singing. A must see!

This "Musical" was a painful look at the lives of a dysfunctional family. Well acted, but not what I expected.

Hard to believe a play centering on a suicide and being gay in and out of the closet could also be funny and at times uplifting in a way that works. The music, singing and acting were all excellent, but the script puts Funhome in a class by itself.

This is one family's story, funny at times, tragic at others. The production values are very good. DEFINITELY worth seeing.

Despite its several Tony awards and a glowing review from the Chicago Tribune, I found this play to be a huge disappointment. It did not hold a candle to my favorites, Book of Mormon, Rent, Hamilton, Avenue Q and Chorus Line, just to name a few. It is the kind of musical that musical theater haters hate. Unremarkable score, forgettable lyrics and gimmicky framework and staging. While Alison Bechdel's life story is quite interesting, the play did not engage me at all. Couldn't wait for it to be over.

It is rare to see a performance that lives up to its lofty rating. Fun Home and its outstanding Director Sam Gold, won more than a handful of Tonys, and this one does. The subject matter of this story is told through acting and song of the highest quality! All those Tonys are well deserved! Absolutely excellent!

After the rave reviews, and as a longtime fan of Alison Bechdel, and someone who loved her book "Fun Home," I was disappointed. I wasn't very engaged or moved by the show, though I loved the music and the actors singing it so beautifully.

A poignant, moving story with huge musical talent! Loved it!!

Fun Home is now one of my favorite musicals! It was superbly executed storytelling. The cast was amazing! I would absolutely recommend this play, and look forward to the opportunity to see it again.

This was an unexpected pleasure, espcially because of the stellar cast. The only thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars is that I prefer music that is a bit more melodic. It isn't Sondheim exactly but is reminiscent of Sondheim (and I am not a huge fan of the Sondheim style). The music is more narrative....still good but I prefer at least one number that stays with you. But the story line is very moving and like I said previusly, the cast is phenomenal. If your kids are approximately 10 and above and are comfortable with a play about gender identity then I also recommend it to kids. The "younger Allison" was superb.

I wish the show were here in Chicago longer - because I need to see it again. One of the most powerful shows I have seen in a long time. Brought me to tears and made me laugh!

The performance was better than I anticipated. Prior to viewing, I had no idea what to expect, but the plot, music, and humor made for a memorable experience. The cast did a really great job!!!

The musical was a big disappointment, boring really.

Fun Home, the musical was fantastic! While I cannot remember any of the individual songs standing out, the Chicago cast was superb, the direction was spot on and the script was compelling. I read the graphic novel prior to seeing the play. What came out of that book in the format of a musical was unforgettable!

Appreciated the story, just didn't really feel it, hard subject matter to turn into a musical I think.

What an emotionally stunning performance. The music was exceptionally moving. A very powerful theatrical experience.

Fun Home was a touchingly beautiful musical. See it.

This musical is based on a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. I recommend reading it either before or after seeing the show. You will be impressed by how clever and sensitive the adaptation is. It's a very nuanced book to begin with and as a result the text of the musical has more depth than many. The overarching story is a poignant one, about a daughter and father unable to communicate despite the many things they have in common. But the musical has many exuberant and even funny moments and the performers in the tour are excellent; I also saw the show on Broadway, in the round, and actually prefer the proscenium staging of the tour--it is easier to see all the actors and know where to focus.

Thought provoking. The story was presented in a unique way. I had not read the book so I had no idea what to expect. The actors did a supurb job.

Attending the national touring production of Fun Home was, to put it bluntly, an emotional kick in the stomach. It had already been an emotional week, full of highs and lows, and this was one more thing to toss onto the ever-growing pile of feelings. It is a beautiful show that was beautifully performed. The cast was excellent. Each gave her/his character depth and clarity. I would normally name the stand out performers the ones who really shine and carry the show. But, in this case, I can t pin-point one or even a few. Every cast member was strong and pulled her/his weight, working as a true ensemble. The three actors who played Alison Kate Shindle, Abby Corrigan, and Alessandra Baldacchino were fantastic. Robert Petkoff and Susan Moniz, who played Bruce and Helen (Alison s parents), gave performances that just broke my heart with every scene. Karen Eilbacher, as Joan, and Robert Hager, as multiple characters, were excellent in their supporting roles. Lennon Nate Hammond and Pierson Salvador, as Alison s brothers, were fun and memorable. In all, this was just a very strong cast. The show moves back and forth through time, through Alison s memories of her childhood, her family, and, particularly, her father. Fun Home is so much more than a coming-of-age or coming out tale. It s both of those things, yes, but it s so much more. The story focuses on this one particular family, but in doing so, shows us a representation of all families. There s something here that will tug at the heart of every audience member. For me, it wasn t so much the coming out story as it was the relationship between Alison and her father. That need to be seen. The need to be loved. The need to be valued. But always seeming to fall short. It was the relationship between Alison and her mother. The knowing as a child that there are secrets, that there are troubling events taking place. Learning about those secrets as an adult and suddenly experiencing a fundamental shift in how you understand your mother. Not to mention how the child, now an adult, has to re-examine her life up to that point based on this newly discovered information. There s a lot there to feel. I admit to ugly crying a couple of times during the show. The music is just magnificent. I ve listened to the soundtrack a few times over the last year and I ve always liked it. Now, putting it fully in context of the production, I have a whole new perspective. Jeanine Tesori s music and Lisa Kron s lyrics serve the show beautifully. The songs are wonderfully varied and match the emotional tone of that particular point of the show. Many of the songs are reminiscent of Sondheim in their complexity. And each of the actors held up their end of the bargain by performing them flawlessly. I ve listened to the soundtrack a couple of times over the last 24 hours and it has taken on a whole new level of meaning for me. Telephone Wire has me bursting into tears every time. The original Broadway production was performed in-the-round and was adapted for performance on the proscenium stage. I would have liked to have seen the Broadway production. I feel as though the show is more effective in-the-round. Obviously, I can t say this for certain. But it just feels that way to me. Don t get me wrong, the production was very, very good on the proscenium stage. I m not saying that it wasn t. I just feel that in-the-round is a more intimate staging. And this is an intimate show. Fun Home definitely had a profound impact on me. I m actually not sure if, emotionally, I could handle seeing it again. (Based on my reactions now when listening to the soundtrack.) As it does with Alison, as she narrates her life experiences, the story brings up feelings and memories for me that are raw and sometimes painful. But, ultimately, through the pain there is also a sense of peace. There s a sense of reckoning. Bringing these thoughts and emotions to the surface may help me to unpack a bit more and help me understand and reconcile some of my own childhood experiences. After the curtain call, Kate Shindle who played Alison and who is also president of Actors Equity Association gave an announcement that they would be collecting donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. During her announcement, she made mention of the recent election results and how BCEFA is so essential during these uncertain times. She mentioned that artists are often galvanized during these times to use their art to fight back. Just think of how much wonderful art the next 4 years will bring.

I understand why it won the TONY AWARD for best Musical ... A must see Powerful... funny moving

The story is great and well played. The songs are great, too. Be sure to listen very carefully because all the spoken and sung words are important to the story.

Fun Home was heartwarming and funny. The cast was amazing.

IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO SEE FUN HOME MUSICAL. THE PERFORMANCES WERE GREAT AS WELL AS THE SETTING AND SCRIPT. IT IS WORTH WATCHING!

Dramatic. Moving. Fun. Painful. Important. Amazing story telling - on the edge of my seat I laughed, cried and sighed. I love the three Alison's. The vocals and harmony - spot on. Beautiful all the way around. Bravo.

The cast did an amazing job portraying this powerful family drama.

Fun Home is an amazingly emotional musical. It is crafted with depth and humor, drawing from Bechdel's graphic memoir but still being something fully new and exciting for the stage. It becomes even better with subsequent viewings. The touring cast is for the most part outstanding, especially Robert Petkoff in the role of Bruce. Abby Corrigan was also fantastic as medium Alison. Whether you have seen Fun Home before, have always wanted to see it or have never even heard of it -do yourself a favor and get a ticket!

This show is poignant and sensitive with just the right amount of humor. The acting was tops!

Saw the show in May on Broadway and it was beautifully done in the round. The Oriental Theatre is just beautiful and the show is just as great as before. The actors are a fantastic group. Everyone should see this.

I was looking forward to seeing a Tony Award winning musical. I was disappointed with the show and relieved when it was over. Music and voices did not meet my expectations. Theater was cold and I sat through the show with more attention on my cold feet than the show itself. There was no intermission and the show was over earlier than I expected. I was glad to leave.

If you're looking for jazz hands and a tap showstopper, then this is not the show for you. But if you want to walk away from a performance that will move you, then you must see this production. The cast is AMAZING. The roles do not allow any performer to hide, the songs are quite exposed and each actor delivered.

Truly enjoyed the show. Great cast. Was disappointed that I paid extra for suite service and there was no intermission.

Incredible show! Fabulous story, staging, singing and acting. You need not have read the book , but it definitely increased my enjoyment in the story, but my husband had not read it and loved the show.

Fun Home is a good production of a Tony Award winning Broadway hit. It is concisely written and the songs move the story along so that it can be told in 90 minutes. It has uplifting moments but it deals with serious adult subjects. It did please the audience that wanted to see the story. There were many empty seats because it doesn't draw the typical musical comedy crowd that want to hear show tunes.

Having seen the Tony Award winning original Broadway version twice,I was eager to see the National Tour,with a different cast and staging and it happily exceeds already high expectations.An emotionally rich experience,a family story so well told by a cast which is perfect,matched by the show's musicians and all production elements.This is a show not to be missed and one that you'll want to return to,like the great mid 20th century classic musicals(only different!).I;ll be seeing it before it leaves and will look forward to future local productions. A return run of the Tour or a high profile local production at the Broadway Playhouse would be most welcome--- perhaps in rotating rep with Jeanine Tesori's earlier masterpiece,CAROLINE,OR CHANGE. I'll be back at The FUN HOME next Sunday.