Fun Home Brings “Real Life” to Cedar City Stage

Published: October 25, 2018 | Author: Ashley H Pollock | Read Time: 3 minutes

SUU’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance will present Fun Home on November 2, 3, 5, 9, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. and November 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. in the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre at the Beverley Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for alumni with card, and $7 for youth. SUU faculty, staff, and students can get in free with a valid ID card. Tickets can be purchased at the America’s First Event Center Box Office, at the door the night of the performance, or online at the CPVA website.

For this production, the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance was able to bring in a guest director of international caliber. Tony Clements, Director of Fun Home, is a New York based theatre director and actor. He has directed productions at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, First Stage Milwaukee, Marquette University, and internationally in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Clements says, “I'm thrilled to be working with the actors, staff, crew and design team at SUU. These talented actors have been a joy to work with and we are really relishing digging into this rich material, which I think is incredibly relevant to both the students at SUU and the community in Cedar City. While the story is specific to author Alison Bechdel's graphic novel, the issues it deals with are especially important today. Alison is struggling to understand her complicated relationship with her father and how it affects her now as an adult. It's a story of growth, personal exploration, forgiveness, and ultimately healing and coming to terms with a tragic event. It deals with these things using one of the most beautiful and moving Broadway scores in years, and more than its fair share of humor. Similarly, we all have families, hurdles, and obstacles left over from youth to overcome in adulthood. It's my hope that our audience goes away with a sense of release, clarity, and understanding. Perhaps we can all find new ways to reflect on our own personal struggles.”

Fun Home is a five time 2015 Tony Award winning Broadway musical including Best Musical. This production delves into memories of Alison Bechdel’s dysfunctional family and the lessons that come from growing up and discovering who you are. Please be advised that this production contains mature content and strong language.

Spencer Smith, senior Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts candidate, plays Bruce, Alison’s father, in the production. He shares, “The most rewarding part of preparing for this production has been diving into the script. The writers, Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, have added so many subtleties to the book and music that interact with each other the more you learn about the story so that every time I read it or sing it I am learning something new. Bruce is such a complex character with so many dimensions and knowing how each facet of his personality builds upon the other really adds to the difficulty of putting him on stage. Our director, Tony Clements, is such an amazing director it has been an absolute pleasure to work with him. His passion is palpable and his respect for the material, as well as his cast, is unparalleled. This production has taught me how to accept myself for who I am. Though my problems don't nearly compare to those faced by Bruce or Alison, I know through their examples that I can overcome anything. I am learning who I am and how I fit in the world just like Bruce, and although I make mistakes I can still learn to become better.”

Experience all of the feelings of growing up again with Fun Home. For more information, please visit The Theatre Arts & Dance Department website.

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Tags: Theatre Arts and Dance

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