By Myah Schultz

Theater Latte Da’s production of Fun Home is a true tour de force. I went in with high expectations, and am thrilled to report that every one of them was exceeded. Director Addie Gorlin-Han did a beautiful job bringing this poignant piece to life with the help of Music Director Jason Hanson, Choreographer Katie Rose McLaughlin, and an extremely talented cast and crew.

Fun Home (by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron) is based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel by the same name. It tells Bechdel’s life story through a series of vignettes, exploring her journey of self discovery in contrast with her father’s tragic life and death.

Sara Masterson (Alison), Eve Scharback (Small Alison), and Monty Hays (Medium Alison) play the same character at three different stages of life. While each does an incredible job portraying Alison individually, they also do an impressive job matching energy and mannerisms with the other two, creating the solid through line on which the show depends.

Scharback is a fantastic young talent. Her sweet singing voice and mature emotional performance will tug at your heartstrings as she delivers a seemingly effortless portrayal of a child adrift, trying to understand herself and desperate for connection and affection from her mercurial father.

Hays is charmingly awkward as Medium Alison. They capture the exhilarating embarrassment of college self-discovery perfectly, bringing just the right ratio of angst, humor, and joy to the role.

Masterson is the show’s rock. Her grounded narration gives the show a solid foundation from which to grow, allowing the audience to feel every bit of levity and each moment of grief to the fullest extent.

Shad Hanley (Bruce) does an incredible job with a very complicated character. He’s abrasive, exacting, and as the story plays out, increasingly manic, but we can’t help feeling sympathy for a man so trapped in his own life. Ann Michels‘ performance as Helen is equally compelling—her quiet anguish cuts deep as she finally shatters with a powerful rendition of “Days and Days”.

Truman Bednar (Christian), Brock Heuring (John), Emma Schuld (Joan), and Berto Borroto (Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy) make up an excellent supporting cast. They shine in their individual moments—Bednar and Heuring bring down the house in “Come to the Fun Home”—and round out the ensemble numbers with solid vocals and strong acting.

Don’t miss this must-see performance! Fun Home is playing at The Ritz Theater through May 5th. Click here to get your tickets today!

*All photos by Dan Norman