USI Theatre presents Fun Home based on graphic novel by Alison Bechdel

University of Southern Indiana Theatre will present its third production of the 2022-23 season, and first of the Spring Semester, Thursday February 23 through Sunday, February 26 in the USI Performance Center. The production, Fun Home, is a musical based on Alison Bechdel’s award-winning autobiographical graphic novel.  

The production explores one young woman’s discovery of her own sexual identity as she navigates her way through family secrets and a complicated relationship with her father. Based on an emotional book and featuring heartfelt lyrics by Lisa Kron and memorable music by Jeanine Tesori, Fun Home is a heartwarming story about who we are and where we come from. 

Eric Altheide, Associate Professor of Theatre, will direct the performance. He will be joined by the following production, design and musical team: Paul Weimer, Associate Professor of Theatrical Design, scenic design; Joshua Stallings, Facilities Coordinator, sound design; Beth Weigand, Graphic Designer, graphic design; Austin Ferrari '23, lighting design; Rayne Miller ‘25, choreography; Grey Miller '26, stage manager; Shan Jensen, costume design; and Henry Maurer, music director. 

This production includes the following USI students: Eve Pigman, Jaden Crouch, Michael Woywood, Blair McKown, Ashlyn Thornburgh, LillyBea Ireland and Ethan Hoover. The following local middle school students will join the cast: Owen Altheide and Gilbert Kumar. The orchestra, led by Henry Maurer, will include Joe Luegers, Rose Devenuto, Joshua Nixon, Sadie Harper and Brittany Hildenbrand. 

Tickets are $2 for USI students; $12 for USI employees; $4 for non-USI students (student ID required); $12 for seniors (60+); and $15 for adults. Tickets are free to USI students with a student ID one hour pre-show based on availability. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee.

In addition, Dr. Amy L. Montz, Associate Professor of English, will be speak on the topic of “Queering the Memoir: Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” ahead of the Sunday matinee at 1 p.m. in University Center East, rooms 2219-2220. Bechdel’s graphic novel of growing up around the family’s funeral home and discovering personal and family secrets supplies the basis for the musical Fun Home. Montz’s talk will explore the use of the graphic novel to relay a very personal story through words and drawings. 

Montz is currently teaching the inaugural class at USI on queer literatures. Her research interest in material culture spans the 18th through 21st centuries in British literature and in contemporary young adult novels. 

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit USI.edu/liberal-arts/usi-theatre, or call the box office at 812-465-7110. Follow USI Theatre on Facebook at USITheatre and Instagram @USI_theatre.