“What would happen if we spoke the truth?”
― Alison Bechdel
River & Rail Theatre Company is rounding out their 2022-2023 season with their largest production of the season – Fun Home. The show is a Tony-award winning musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel memoir with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron.
The story, characterized as a “tragicomic” by the writer herself, follows Alison Bechdel through three different phases of her life – writing her graphic novel, her college days, and her childhood. It explores Bechdel’s experience coming out as a lesbian and her complicated relationship with her father, Bruce.
With a show stopping cast and enchanting music, director Jessica Holt is thrilled to be a part of bringing this show to Knoxville. “I think it is really powerful to direct plays in communities where the material is speaking to a challenge that the community is facing at that moment in time,” shared Holt, “Everyone in the cast and crew is like ‘Let’s tell these stories and get out in front of it’; they are really mission driven.”
The cast is a mix of Knoxville natives and out-of-towners like Zoe Belle Sullivan in the role of Small Alison. “It is a very fun show to do and to see,” said Sullivan, “There are a lot of good songs and moments in the show. It is important for Knoxville to see this show.” Holt shares that Sullivan was born to play this role and that other cast members, including Laura Beth Wells as Alison and Anna Catherine Smith as Medium Alison, are “true pros who are flooring me.” Brooklyn-based Sullivan says that she has loved experiencing Knoxville. “Being in Knoxville has been so fun,” she said, “Everyone in the show is so nice—and in general, people in Knoxville are nice.”
The music is a force to be reckoned with according to Holt. “The music is some of the most heart awakening music you’ll ever hear” she said, “It speaks to everyone regardless of how you identify, you will feel completely transformed by it.” Critics and audiences seem to agree with Holt’s assessment — it was nominated for twelve Tony Awards in 2015, winning five, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score.
Through a partnership with the University of Tennessee’s Masters of Fine Arts program, River and Rail Theatre Company has been able to bring in design students to help design the show. “It’s an added bonus that I didn’t anticipate: being able to work with the students and their faculty mentors,” explained Holt.
Fun Home will run Thursdays thru Sundays, June 1-18 at the Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street. Opening night is Friday, June 2, at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 PM. Tickets and information on the River & Rail Theatre Company website.
“The music is a force to be reckoned with..” and yet no mention of the musical director.