Unveiling the Layers: A Heartfelt Journey Through Ridgedale Players’ ‘Fun Home’
Ridgedale Players’ production of Fun Home delivers a compelling, thought-provoking experience that explores themes of family, identity, and self-acceptance. Based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir, this Tony Award-winning musical dives into the complex relationships within the Bechdel family, particularly the strained bond between Alison and her father, Bruce. Directed by Scott Steiger, this intimate and emotionally charged show skillfully balances humor and heartbreak, offering a raw portrayal of a family dealing with hidden truths and the consequences of repression.
[Warning: Spoilers from Ridgedale Players’ production of Fun Home are below!]
Thrilling performances make Fun Home fantastic
The performances in Ridgedale’s Fun Home are nothing short of outstanding. The cast brings their characters to life with depth and authenticity. Lori Knoth’s portrayal of Adult Alison anchors the production with a reflective, introspective presence. She effortlessly captures the adult Alison’s sense of bittersweet realization, showing the character’s emotional maturity while never losing sight of the vulnerability that defines her journey. Knoth’s nuanced performance makes Alison’s reflective narration both heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Brooke Candella, playing Middle Alison, brings a sense of conflicted curiosity and youthful determination to the stage. She navigates the emotional discovery of her sexuality and the unraveling understanding of her father’s secrets with vulnerability and grace. Candella captures the essence of someone in the midst of self-discovery, torn between the ideals of a comfortable childhood and the tumultuous revelations of adulthood. The moments of confusion and pain that she conveys are palpable, especially in her interactions with Bruce.
Cora Steiger, portraying Small Alison, brings an innocent charm to the role, highlighting the early stages of Alison’s life and her unfiltered interactions with her family. Steiger’s performance helps establish the foundation for the character’s later self-reflection. The youthful wonder and honesty she brings to the role also contrast sharply with the darker themes explored later in the musical, particularly in the moments where Small Alison is unaware of the complex dynamics around her.
Alan Neuwirth’s portrayal of Bruce Bechdel is chilling in its subtlety. He captures the duality of Bruce’s character — the father who deeply loves his children yet is unable to fully accept his own identity, ultimately leading to his tragic demise. Neuwirth’s performance deftly navigates the emotional repression and self-hatred that Bruce experiences. His scenes with his children, particularly with Alison, are filled with tension and a quiet sense of regret. The complexity of Bruce’s character is apparent, and Neuwirth conveys this with restraint, leaving the audience to grapple with their own feelings of empathy and frustration toward him.
Alexa Carollo as Helen Bechdel, Bruce’s wife, brings a layered performance that complements Neuwirth’s portrayal of Bruce. Carollo captures the disappointment and sadness Helen feels as she comes to terms with her husband’s secrets. Her emotional range is evident in her quiet frustration, and she plays Helen’s reactions to Bruce’s actions with sincerity and depth. The scenes between her and Neuwirth are particularly powerful, depicting the tragic disillusionment of a woman who has sacrificed parts of herself for the sake of a family she doesn’t fully understand.
The rest of the cast, including Rosalie Ventimiglia (Christian), Julia Steiger (John), Sylvester Nadar (Roy), and Anya Miller (Joan), round out the production with strong performances that contribute to the emotional richness of the show. Each character, though secondary to the Bechdels, adds layers to the story’s themes of identity, acceptance, and the complexity of familial love.
A well-rounded production makes this Ridgedale Players show fun
The direction by Scott Steiger ensures that the emotional highs and lows of Fun Home are handled with careful attention to pacing and tone. The transitions between the three timelines — Small Alison, Middle Alison, and Adult Alison — are fluid and seamless. This structure allows for a deeper exploration of the theme of self-acceptance, as the audience sees the different stages of Alison’s life and how each informs the other.
The music, directed by Dennis Penney, is both heartfelt and integral to the storytelling. Songs like “Ring of Keys,” in which Middle Alison expresses a moment of awakening about her identity, and “Changing My Major,” a humorous yet touching song about young love, are standout numbers that offer emotional depth and character insight. Penney’s music direction elevates the emotional stakes of the production, ensuring that the music never feels out of place but rather enhances the storytelling.
The set design, while minimalist, is highly effective in conveying the Bechdel family’s world. The funeral home setting serves as both a literal and symbolic backdrop for the narrative. It evokes nostalgia for Alison while also representing the weight of her father’s secrets and the darker aspects of their family life. The intimate staging allows the audience to feel as though they are stepping into the Bechdel home, bringing them closer to the characters’ emotional struggles.
Overall, Ridgedale Players’ production of Fun Home is a poignant and powerful portrayal of the complexities of family and self-identity. Through exceptional performances, a strong creative team, and a sensitive approach to the material, this production explores the deep emotional terrain of Bechdel’s memoir. It’s a show that lingers long after the curtain falls, challenging the audience to reflect on their own family dynamics, personal identities, and the secrets we all carry.
For more information about Ridgedale Players’ production, you can visit their official page. Look out for some exciting shows from this Troy playhouse, including Beetlejuice Jr!
Exclusive Interview: Director Scott Steiger of Ridgedale Players’ Fun Home
