A Fun Home Retrospective | Oberlin College and Conservatory

Fun Home is a Tony-award-winning musical tailored from Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel of the identical identify. Written by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, the musical follows Alison Bechdel as she writes her novel, delving into her recollections from childhood and school, primarily specializing in her relationship together with her closeted father and her relationship with queerness. Loads of the musical takes place at Bechdel’s alma mater, the one and solely Oberlin College. For the primary time ever, Fun Home was carried out as a part of the Oberlin Theater 2025-2026 Mainstage Season. 

I used to be lucky sufficient to painting “Medium Alison,” AKA Alison as a freshman right here at Oberlin. As a freshman myself, I discovered it simple to attach with the anxiousness and naivety of 19-year-old Bechdel attempting to ease into school life and concurrently put herself on the market regardless of being slightly introverted. In my first scene, I used to be slumped on a dorm mattress, miming a cellphone name with Bruce Bechdel (Tyler Sanderlin) as he instructed Medium Alison to “trust [her] instincts” and to not “twist [herself] in knots trying to impress people who are not worthy of [her].” This scene took me again to my first week at Oberlin, terrified of not becoming in and attempting too exhausting to impress folks I believed have been a lot cooler than I. In truth, I bear in mind calling my mother solely to listen to the very same recommendation as Alison’s dad provided her (in a extra caring means, after all; my mom shouldn’t be like Bruce Bechdel). It was numerous enjoyable taking part in a personality who was in my precise scenario at the start of her personal freshman 12 months at Oberlin, and–especially with this being my first Oberlin musical ever–I’ll look again on Fun Home with the fondest of recollections. Here are a couple of highlights: 

Caption: This was my first time ever doing stage intimacy (might you inform?)

Stage kissing, from what I’ve realized via this expertise, takes numerous follow, exhausting work, and may usually be extraordinarily foolish. One key tip we obtained from our intimacy coordinator was to let the arms do all of the work, to distract from the truth that there wasn’t a lot occurring with the lips. 

Caption: Changing my Major to Joan. 

I obtained to sing “Changing my Major,” one of the crucial iconic queer songs in musical theater ever. This track takes place after Medium Alison and Joan have intercourse with one another for the primary time (Alison’s first time ever). It is a ravishing piece written in 3/4 (sometimes related to love songs as seen in Rodgers and Hammerstein). This track having such a lovey, harmless tone portrays lesbian intercourse as one thing lovely and delicate, combating in opposition to stereotypes that assert in any other case. It was such an honor having the ability to sing such a profound track as a queer lady myself. 

Caption: Judy Kuhn taught a masterclass!

Judy Kuhn performed Helen Bechdel within the authentic Broadway solid of Fun Home–oh, and she or he’s truly an Oberlin alum. During present weekend, she hosted a masterclass the place members of our solid have been capable of sing for her and get suggestions like no different. We have been all so grateful to have been within the presence of a legend who additionally occurred to go to our faculty. Pictured right here is Sara Nearenberg (Small Alison), Judy Kuhn, and myself after the occasion. 

 Caption: We met Alison Bechdel 

Oberlin alum and creator of Fun Home Alison Bechdel joined professor Ok.J. Cerankowski in a dialogue concerning Fun Home through Zoom. Oberlin college students and members of the area people have been invited to eavesdrop on the dialog and ask Bechdel questions on the finish of the occasion. It was fascinating to listen to her speak concerning the musical, and the way her expertise with it’s like no different. She defined that, though she would have liked to return see the Oberlin manufacturing, “seeing your father get hit by a truck every night can be a little much.” Overall, the speak led to many ongoing conversations and gave all of us solid members a brand new perspective on our work in Fun Home. 

Caption: We take our remaining bows. 

Every story should come to an finish, however I’ll at all times be grateful for this superb alternative, my improbable fellow solid members, and the facility of queer storytelling.