Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Wilbury Theatre Group closes out their season with the Tony Award winning musical, “Fun Home” which opened off Broadway in 2013. This musical is based on the book by Alison Bechdel about her discovering her own sexuality. All these years she’s been wondering if her coming out caused her father’s death or was it his own demons that did it? The book was adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori. The current day Alison at 43 takes a look back at her life at three different stages: when she was nine and at 18 as a freshman at Oberlin College. It shows how her relationship with her father changed her as a person in many varied ways. The catalyst for her to examine her life and piece together her memories of the past in the family-owned funeral home was the death of her father and her finding out that he was gay. Director Josh Short helps his talented cast to mine the layers of this well written dramatic script that resonates with the audiences own and varied relationships with their own parents. His brilliant dissecting of each character shows in each and everyone’s performance. The musical direction of Tom Chace is right on the money with upbeat numbers to brighten the somber events as well as poignant and touching ballads that wrench your heart out. He and his eight piece orchestra are excellent with all the various numbers in the show. Choreographer Ali Kenner Brodsky also lightens the mood with terrific dance steps in “Come to the Fun Home” with the children and in “Raincoat of Love” with the whole cast trying to present an ideal family setting a la the Partridge Family. Their combined expertise is rewarded with a spontaneous standing ovation amid tears from the crowd, making this into a must see musical of this spring season.

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