Fun Home Transfer?- Page 4

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 8:37am

We are honestly going to get all tsk tsky about the story of the first moment Allison realizes she's different, a moment most every member of a sexual minority can detail? In James Spada's survey of gay men, "The Spada Report," many respondents had intricate details about some sort of physical/chemical moment where they saw something and they "knew" about themselves. They may not have been able to name what they knew, because they didn't have the vocabulary, but they knew.

In one beautiful story a 10 year old in the backseat of the family car sees a shirtless, hairy chested lineman up on a utility pole. He's riveted to the sight of the man. As the car pulls away the man and the boy make eye contact and the man gives a little wave. The guy reported that as he grew up, that memory gave him something to hang onto as a promise of another way of being in adulthood. It was an It Gets Better moment, decades before that campaign.

THAT is what is beautifully rendered in that scene. It doesn't surprise me in the current cultural climate, some reactionaries will bitch about it, and no doubt condemn the show. Because this is America and sexual honesty must be silenced.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 10:37am

The conversation about the "Ring of Keys" song is fascinating to me. So as a reference point, I'm posting the lyrics below.


Someone just came in the door
Like no one I ever saw before.
I feel. I feel....

I don’t know where you came from.
I wish I did (I feel so dumb).
I feel...

Your swagger and your bearing and the just right clothes you’re wearing.
Your short hair and your dungarees and your lace up boots and your keys...
Oh, your ring of keys..

I thought it was supposed to be wrong
But you seem okay with being strong.
I want...
You’re so...

Its probably conceited to say, but I think we’re...alike in a certain way....

Your swagger and your bearing and the just right clothes you’re wearing.
Your short hair and your dungarees and your lace up boots and your keys...
Oh, your ring of keys..

Do you feel my heart saying ‘hi?’
In this luncheonette why am I the only one who sees you’re beautiful?

No. I mean, handsome.

Your swagger and your bearing and the just right clothes you’re wearing.
Your short hair and your dungarees and your lace up boots and your keys...
Oh, your ring of keys...

I know you....

I know you....

I know you...




Updated On: 11/21/13 at 10:37 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 10:44am

I think it's also important to include the fact that originally Bruce says "Is that what you want to look like?" right as the song ends.

This further illustrates the fact that Alison sees the delivery woman as aspirational in demeanor. It sucks that they've since cut that line because it's pretty important.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 10:44am

^^^ Thanks for posting! This song is a showstopper and elicits gasps of recognition from the audience, at least when I've seen the show (three times and counting).

And I think Sydney Lucas performs the song so well, with such beautiful naiveté.


Updated On: 11/21/13 at 10:44 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 10:51am

Interesting, Clyde. But I have to disagree and say that the moment is more powerful as a complete moment of private epiphany for the character. As it stands now, Alison's father, a few moments before the song, tells Alison he will 'wail' her if she takes her barrette out of her hair one more time, but he is completely oblivious to the delivery woman. I think the line you mention was cut, because if Bruce mentions the obviously gay delivery woman in his conversation with his young daughter, its too obvious an acknowledgement that he knows Alison herself is going to be a lesbian.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 10:52am

Michael Bennett, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?????

[wickedfan]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 11:28am

Thank you, Michael Bennett for posting the lyrics. I vividly remember the chorus for "Ring of Keys" for not only being catchy (the music has that smooth 70's charm to it while also being its own unique style) but also because those lyrics were so simple, child-like and beautiful. "Ring of Keys" is an incredible moment of this wonderful show and I'll never forget how still the audience was when watching it, before erupting into wild cheers for Sydney Lucas.

I refuse to let After Death or anyone corrupt this song and try to force people into thinking that it's something that it's not. Not every 10-year-old thinks of tea and jam. In fact, most don't. But most children have that epiphany where they see someone or something magical to them and changes everything they thought they knew, opening a new world to them. To borrow a somewhat tired example, it's stepping into Oz and in that one moment, everything around them turns into color. "Ring of Keys" beautifully shows that moment happening without being condescending to the child or exaggerating their feelings for dramatic effect. After Death would love it if we could drain all that color and go back to being Joan Allen making breakfast for William H. Macy with a plastered smile on our face, never to have a single thought beyond "Howdy neighbor" and "You'll be late for school." Wait, I'm getting my movie examples mixed up...

[Kad]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 2:47pm

Michael Bennett:

But it is implied that Bruce suspects something about Alison before she comes out. He sends her books by Colette. He is certainly aware of what appearances and tendencies can mean.

As for After Eight- he's made it clear in his behavior he has no interest to discuss anything with anyone. Because in his mind, there's nothing to discuss. There's his view and then there's being wrong. He no more wishes to discuss another viewpoint any more than he'd want to hear someone argue that the sky is green.

[newintown]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 2:57pm

Unlike everyone else here...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 3:17pm

Kad-- definitely realize that point but I still think it's a delicate line. I think Bruce clearly has some instincts about Alison's sexuality but I think the writing team has done a good job of keeping it also relatively subjective. Bruce never answers Alison question about the Collette book, and I think part of the arc for her character is trying to discover- but not knowing conclusively the degree that Bruce was aware of her sexuality- to me it's what elevates the piece into something more profound and universal-Alison is never able to connect with her father- part of her would like to believe that it was because he disapproved of her sexuality- but Alison can't find comfort in that because the facts are inconclusive- the truth is sometimes we just can't connect with our parents and sexuality may have nothing to do with it.

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 3:46pm

The line they cut is important FOR it's ambiguities. Bruce is either asking, "Do you want to be a butch lesbian," or "Do you want to be ugly and styleless, like her?"

Alison being unsure how to read that question is part of the central mystery.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 3:51pm

It's notable, as well, in the book: it's basically the "punchline" to the scene.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 3:54pm

'Alison being unsure how to read that question is part of the central mystery.'

I'd argue that perhaps the line was cut because it muddies the central mystery...which seems to me to be 'Could my accepting of something my father never could have been his undoing?' For me, the issue of a closeted father acting out his sexual issues in unhealthy ways and then being confronted by his daughter's ability to be out was devastating. And the guilt left behind for Allison is almost unbearable. How could a person take on the responsibility that they are the reason their parent made the choice to kill themselves? But then...how can you not ask yourself the question and search for the answer, even if the answer is unknowable?

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 3:57pm

That cut line may become one of the most notorious interpretation-changing cut lines in musical theatre, up there with the deleted plot twist from Into The Woods and the original punch line to the finale of The Book Of Mormon.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:05pm

This should probably be a new thread, though I would hate to see a thread devoted to AfterEight.

"As for After Eight- he's made it clear in his behavior he has no interest to discuss anything with anyone. Because in his mind, there's nothing to discuss. There's his view and then there's being wrong. He no more wishes to discuss another viewpoint any more than he'd want to hear someone argue that the sky is green. "

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am embarrassed that we briefly got along due to him saying that Tennessee Williams was his favorite playwright. I have no idea how what he is willing to be open to in theatre can correspond with that.

And thanks MB for posting those lyrics. Man, do I wanna see this show.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:15pm

What was the deleted plot twist from Into the Woods?

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:20pm

Are we talking the attempt of having the Narrator be the Baker's son?

I can't agree that this one cut line has changed the meaning of FUN HOME. I think it's an unnecessary observation, and it undercuts the moment of Ring of Keys. What I appreciated most about that song was that it encapsulated perfectly the moment of knowing. I don't think the observation was necessary because it's obvious in a way that the rest of FUN HOME wasn't. Or maybe I'm wrong. I'm just happy there's a musical of such depth and beauty about which to argue.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:23pm

"Unlike everyone else here..."

We may have opinions and discussions, but most people seem open to discussion or at least "agree to disagree." After Eight is the only person I know on here who thinks he possesses the unquestionable truth.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:24pm

"What was the deleted plot twist from Into the Woods?"

I can only think it must be a reference to the Baker's Wife inadvertently picking up and eating Snow White's apple, something I'm glad they changed.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:24pm

He'll see it now, and not even know who originally posted it!

"I'm confused why After Death attends the theater. Since he has me blocked he'll never see this and answer me, but I think all of us are curious about this. He hates absolutely everything and it's not cheap to see as much theater as he does. But it would be like me hating truffles, yet going to every restaurant that serves them and paying for them and than complaining about how much I hate truffles."

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:25pm

I've never heard the "original punch line to the finale of The Book Of Mormon." What was that?!

[Kad]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:39pm

Basically, earlier drafts implied that the Africans were planning to cannibalize Elder Cunningham.

Updated On: 11/21/13 at 04:39 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:40pm

Yes, to unpleasant and ugly music.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:41pm

Never mind!
Updated On: 11/21/13 at 04:41 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 4:45pm

It's actually not too difficult to find Book of Mormon demos. They've been posted around the internet.

Basically, it took the mini reprise of "Hasa Diga Ebowai" and said: "Thank you for sending us your prophet to die; he has done us so much good, we will kill him and eat him like the book says we should!"

Not a great way to end the show. Leaves a nasty taste in your mouth.