It’s a show that is still relatively new to the musical theatre scene. Fun Home is a story based on the life of graphic novelist Alison Bechdel. Sparked by her father’s unexpected death Bechdel unpacks childhood memories uncovering the dark secrets that defined her family. It’s a story of Alison’s coming out and coming of age as she discovers her father’s closeted past.

“Alison’s journey shows the joy and power of being able to be who you are and how healing it can be.”

Liz Whitbread says there’s no better time than now to share a story about real people. (Saskatoon Summer Players)

Director Liz Whitbread says there’s no better time for the Saskatoon Summer Players to introduce people to the five-time Tony Award-winning musical about a family torn apart by secrets.

“Honestly, the political climate right now in the province was the main reason I wanted to pitch it to the SSP,” Whitbread explains. “People of the LGBTQ+ community are under attack and I think it’s important to show real people, their personal stories. Alison’s journey shows the joy and power of being able to be who you are and how healing it can be.”

“I saw myself in his (Bruce’s) desire to meet the expectations of the world around him.”

Actor Bobby Williston plays Alison’s closeted father Bruce. He was drawn in by the music of Fun Home but it was the story that stuck with him.

Actor Bobby Williston was first drawn to the music of Fun Home. (Saskatoon Summer Players)

“I saw myself in his (Bruce’s) desire to meet the expectations of the world around him, hiding who he truly was. That desire to please ended up destroying his life,” says Williston. “Most musical theatre leans into the joy with sprinkles of tragedy. This one captures joy and comedy in the midst of hardship and sadness. It asks us to feel the hard stuff and see hope in it.”

Actor Amanda Lyman says she’s excited to take on her first lead role in Fun Home. (Saskatoon Summer Players)

“We all have to be gentler with ourselves and the people around us.”

Amanda Lyman plays Alison and says while this may be a departure from the classic, wholesome musicals, like The Music Man the Saskatoon Summer Players staged last summer, it’s an important and endearing story.

“Even if you can’t relate directly to the themes in this story, you can understand looking back over your life, at events that have changed you, made you who you are today,” says Lyman. “We all have to be gentler with ourselves and the people around us.”

“It’s thrilling to introduce people to a more contemporary musical that they may have never heard of,” says Whitbread. “It’s an incredible story with amazing music. I hope it leaves audiences inspired to live their own authentic lives.”