Photo Flash: Arden Theatre Company Presents Tony Award-Winning FUN HOME

Arden Theatre Company closes its 30th Anniversary Season with the Tony Award-winning musical FUN HOME from May 17 - June 17, 2018, on the Arden's F. Otto Haas Stage at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia. Honorary Producers are David and Christina Fryman.

Hailed as one of Broadway's most original musicals and winner of 5 Tony Awards, FUN HOME is a groundbreaking story inspired by Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir. After the sudden death of her father, Alison sets out to unravel the many mysteries of her childhood growing up at the family funeral home in Central Pennsylvania. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her life through a series of memories and conversations - from her coming out to her moving journey to acceptance.

Jeanine Tesori is the composer of FUN HOME and Lisa Kron the librettist and lyricist. Tesori is the most prolific and honored female theatre composer in history, having also composed Thoroughly Modern Millie and Shrek the Musical, and also Caroline, or Change and Violet (both produced by the Arden to critical acclaim.) She has also composed the music for many films.

Lisa Kron is an actress and playwright whose major works include 2.5 Minute Ride, Well and FUN HOME. She won the 2015 Tony Awards for Best Original Score (with Tesori) and Best Book of a Musical for FUN HOME.

Terrence J. Nolen, Arden Producing Artistic Director and Director of FUN HOME says, "The Arden is drawn to audacious musical theatre and committed to the idea that musicals can tell any story, including complex ones. FUN HOME definitely pushes the boundaries of the art form."

He adds, "FUN HOME has a gorgeous score, a brilliant book and lyrics, and is a refreshingly honest and moving new musical about seeing your parents through grown up eyes. I am a fan of Tesori and am moved by her music. Having directed two of her other musicals (Violet and Caroline, or Change), I am thrilled to be bringing another of her works to the Arden stage."

The cast for FUN HOME includes Ben Dibble as the father, Bruce Bechdel, and Mary Tuomanen as Alison. Others in the cast include Izzy Castaldi as Medium Alison, Kim Carson as Helen Bechdel, Kate Bove as Small Alison, Jackie Soro as Joan, Lyam David-Kilker as John Bechdel, Charles LaMonaca as Christian Bechdel and Robi Hager as Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby/Jeremy.

FUN HOME previews from Thursday, March 17 through Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Opening Night for press is Wednesday, March 23, 2018 at 7pm. FUN HOME runs through June 17, 2018. The Opening Night sponsor is Harmelin Media.

Single ticket prices start at $37 with discounts available for groups of 15 or more, seniors, students, military, and educators. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, visit www.ardentheatre.org or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

A Pay-What-You-Can performance of FUN HOME takes place on Wednesday, May 15, 2018, at 8pm. The performance is open to the public and all ticket proceeds benefit the William Way LGBT Community Center.

Post-show discussions will be held following performances on Thursday, May 31 at 7pm, Sunday, June 3 at 2pm, Wednesday, June 6 at 6:30pm, Sunday, June 10 at 2pm, and Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30 pm.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Open Captioned and Audio Described performances will take place on Friday, June 8 at 8pm and Saturday, June 9 at 2pm. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122.

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers-on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. Five productions are staged each season as part of the Mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children's Theatre, the city's first resident professional children's theatre program. New work is produced through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden's Education Department includes: Arden for All (AFA), a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, the after-school, Saturday, and summer camp classes for students in grades pre-K-12; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area based teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Hamilton Family Arts Center is the new facility dedicated to education programs and new play development.

The Arden has received numerous honors including 70 awards and 367 nominations from the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. The Arden is a winner of four "Theatre Company of the Year" designations (Philadelphia Inquirer), six Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" awards and three "Best of Philly Kids" awards, the City Paper's Reader's Choice Award and the prestigious "Great Friend to Kids Award" from the Please Touch Museum for Arden Children's Theatre work. For accessibility efforts, the Arden was named a "Keystone of Accessibility" by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Arden Theatre Company is a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company and a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old City Arts Association. The Arden also participates in The Barrymore Awards, a program of Theatre Philadelphia.

Photos by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.