“I wanna play airplane.” The refreshingly innovative musical, Fun Home is adapted to Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage, as a part of their Fringe Series. 

Fun Home originated as a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel as a “Family Tragicomic” and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The novel’s accolades extend to being voted Best Book of the Year by the New York Times along with many other respected publications. This graphic novel transitioned to Off-Broadway at the renowned Public Theatre in New York City beginning in 2013. Following its appearance at the Public Theatre, Fun Home made its Broadway debut in 2015, receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. The Broadway musical went on to win five Tony® Awards including Best Musical. 

When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to explore the intersection of her father’s life and her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home. This retrospective look at familial relationships moves between past and present to explore the author’s relationship with her father, her sexuality, and the looming unanswerable questions that remain. Part of MMT’s Fringe Series, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

“It’s particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to present this piece during Pride Month.” Said Fun Home Director, Katharine Quinn. “Three-dimensional queer characters remain underrepresented in musical theater. Queer female characters, in particular, remain underrepresented in musical theater.”

Fun Home joins the family of Fringe shows produced in-house by Mill Mountain Theatre and is supported by the Friends of the Fringe, a group of devout supporters of the theatre’s Fringe series. Additionally, Fun Home is the final Fringe show in the theatre’s 2022 season, following The Cake, which debuted on the Trinkle MainStage earlier this Fall. Fun Home marks the return of the Fringe Series on the intimate Waldron Stage after its brief residency on the Trinkle MainStage.

“The Fringe Series tackles challenging topics and shares different perspectives as we invite our audiences to step into someone else’s shoes.” Said Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole. “We later encourage our audiences to discuss these important topics and hope to shed light on these difficult subjects.”

Fun Home is supported by a cast and creative team who will tell the story of this groundbreaking musical. The cast features Riley Whisnant, Stephanie Berger, Hayley Palmer*, Carlyn Connolly*, Michael Hunsaker*, Alexandra Rivers, Isaac Bouldin, Lillian Salazar and Josh Romeo. The cast is uplifted by its veteran creative team, which features Ginger Poole, Katharine Quinn, Kailey Absher*, Erin Markham, Dan Pardo, Jessica Gaffney, Jimmy Ray Ward, Bill Webb, Matt Shields, Savannah Woodruff, Molly Hood, Katie Stueckle, J.T. Fauber, Mike Havens and Teresa Hedrick. 

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Fun Home begins performances on June 22nd and runs through July 3rd on the Waldron Stage. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.

Sponsors for Fun Home include Diane and Bill Elliot and Friends of the Fringe. Mill Mountain Theatre would like to extend thanks to Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, Roanoke Star.com, Radio IQ/WVTF, The American Rescue Plan, Theatre Communications Group and Virginia Commission for the Arts. 

“Fun Home” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.