Southern Rep Opens 31st Season with Regional Premiere of FUN HOME

Southern Rep Theatre and NOCCA Stage Company present the regional premiere of FUN HOME at NOCCA's Nims Black Box Theatre, September 27 - October 22, 2017. The musical, based on the graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, follows Alison through past and present as she comes to terms with her father's death, the secrets he lived with, and her own coming-of-age journey. Featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, FUN HOME won five 2015 Tony Awards for its original Broadway production, including Best Musical and Best Score.

This Regional Premiere production reunites key players from Southern Rep's critically acclaimed, Big Easy Award-winning hit production of NEXT TO NORMAL (2013), including Director Blake Coheley, Music Director Jefferson Turner, Lighting Designer Dan Zimmer-all members of NOCCA faculty and staff-and actress Leslie Castay, who appears as Alison's mother ("Helen"). Jason Dowies appears as Alison's father ("Bruce"), while a trio of talented actresses make their Southern Rep debuts as "Alison" (Chrissy Bowen), "Medium Alison" (Taylor Lewis), and "Small Alison" (Camille Burkey, the real-life daughter of Leslie Castay).

Southern Rep Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes believes in the power of FUN HOME to stir New Orleans audiences. "Our 2017-18 season features fascinating characters who are fighting for what's right, whether that's taking an unpopular political stance or finding the courage to live an authentic life against the odds. I love how this play is unafraid to take on challenging issues-and does it with music, humor, and hope. Blake Coheley and Jefferson Turner are a great artistic team to bring the words and music of FUN HOME to life on stage at NOCCA's beautiful Nims Black Box Theatre."

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work on this wonderful musical," says Director Blake Coheley. "The fact that NOCCA is partnering with a professional theatre company of Southern Rep's caliber and will be hosting the performances on campus is a wonderful opportunity to engage our students and families as well."

Through Southern Rep's Community Table initiative, a comprehensive series of partner nights and community engagement activities surrounding this production is scheduled, including:

- Free Lagniappe Performance Series events on Friday nights

- Table Talk panel discussions before Saturday performances

- Actor talk-backs after Sunday matinees

Community Table programs are free and open to the public (no ticket is required). Visit southernrep.com for full details and more information about Community Table programs, or contact Producer of Artistic & Community Engagement Lauren E. Turner at lturner@southernrep.com.

Single tickets are available starting Tuesday, September 5 online at southernrep.com or 504-522-6545. 2017-18 Priority Patron Members get first choice of preferred dates and enjoy reserved seats and other benefits; four- and five-play memberships are available.

FUN HOME runs Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM with Sunday matinees at 3 PM in the Nims Black Box at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, 2800 Chartres Street, New Orleans.

FOR FULL PRODUCTION DETAILS AND UP-TO-DATE EVENT SCHEDULE, please visit www.southernrep.com/plays/fun-home