Fun Home Reviews!!!!- Page 3

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 1:11pm

I wonder if people would have a problem with the minimal presence of Helen in the show if it were someone other than Judy Kuhn. People probably expect more from the character because she's a recognizable name. I've just started reading Fun Home but she doesn't seem to be a focus very much.

[ClaraJohnson]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 1:26pm

A friend of mine was at Fun Home Friday night and told me that Steven Spielberg was there in the audience with his family! But the really crazy part is that the show stopped 10 minutes in and then like 20 minutes later they announced the performance was canceled! Has anyone ever had experience with this in a major theatre? The cast must have gone nuts knowing that Spielberg was there and wouldn't get to see them/it.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 2:07pm

@Clyde-I definitely get your point. However, I just re-read the book recently, and while not the focus of the story, I think she's a significant presence in the story. (Keep reading-she gets some important things to do in the book. I promise.) However, I do understand your questioning completely.

I didn't hear what happened Friday evening. It's strange no one has written about it until now.

[viola13]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 3:08pm

I was there Friday, and yup, the show was stopped and ultimately cancelled because one of the actresses couldn't continue. Not sure which one, other than it wasn't Beth Malone since she was onstage at the time of the stoppage.

[DrowsyKaye]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 3:10pm

What are the chances of Fun Home extending through Thanksgiving? I'm dying to see this show, but won't be able to get to New York until then.

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 5:17pm

This is what I had been worried about with the apparent lack of understudies.

Although I would hate to have Spielberg get his hands on the property! Please, God, no!

Drowsy, I have no inside knowledge, but I think the chance of another extension is good because the Newman isn't booked until January, apparently.

Updated On: 10/27/13 at 05:17 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 6:24pm

She's not, which is why I love Judy Kuhn for taking the role. She is in complete service to telling the story of Fun Home, and leaves the audience -- just like the Alison character -- wanting more from her.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 9:06pm

"After Eight seems to want three things especially from musical theatre. "

Darquekg,

All I want, really, are two things: Good music and a rewarding theatrical experience (ie, one that is not going to bore/depress us to death, insult our intelligence, irritate us, or turn our stomachs.)

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 2:06am

@macNYC the show has to close by January 2nd due to Under The Radar festival using the space.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 8:12am

I thought they might try to keep it up for another few weeks (maybe through 12/15).

Does the festival itself start 1/2? (If so, I wonder if they have to vacate for rehearsal/load in? (I don't know what the process is for the festival or how rehearsed it is.)

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 10:45am

The turnover for UTR is pretty fast- often with two to three shows sharing any stage during a day. There isn't a TON of tech work, but no- Fun Home would absolutely have to vacate the space during the time.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 11:03am

Kad-How far ahead would they have to vacate? (I'm just curious about this process now that we're started on the topic.) I was guessing 12/15 as a new date might be enough time.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 11:10am

Oh, they would most likely be able to run through 12/15. The tech process for UTR is very quick (it has to be) and most of the shows, by necessity, have fairly simple requirements. Typically that stuff doesn't happen until a few days before the festival starts.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 11:17am

Cool. Thanks, Kad. (I really don't know much about the Under the Radar Festival. I'm probably going to try to catch a piece or two, but didn't know how polished it was or what type of load-in/tech process was undertaken.)

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 12:15pm

The pieces themselves are all very polished- they just can't require substantial technical demands. I encourage everyone to see something at UTR, because it's unlikely you'll get to see such a diverse and international array of theatre (and unlike the fringe, it is curated and curated heavily- so no terrible vanity pieces or glorified school projects).

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 12:19pm

Kad-I fully intend to. I just didn't know much about it. Thanks!

So, to answer my question, if they were able to logistically extend Fun Home one more month, it would not interfere in any way with UTR? (Also-if they extend, would they have to hire understudies per Equity? I'm wondering why/how they don't have them now. Isn't this an Equity production? I thought it was.)

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 12:39pm

Yes, this is an equity production. Generally, nonprofit off-Broadway productions like this do not need understudies- the runs are limited. If something were to come up for any of the actors, the theaters usually have to hire someone immediately as a temporary takeover/replacement.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 12:40pm

Interesting. Thanks, Kad. (It doesn't matter how long the run is, then?)

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 2:35pm

Fun Home extends until Dec. 1! Yay! Better than nothing. Congrats to the cast, creatives and crew!

[DrowsyKaye]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 2:42pm

Done and done :)

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 10/29/13 at 5:13pm

USA Today is a rave....

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/theater/2013/10/29/off-broadway-review-fun-home/3287611/

[theatrecr8zy]

Posted: 10/29/13 at 11:19pm

Does the Public have a stage door, or is it a wait around in the lobby kind of situation? I'm thrilled that the show got another extension, which means that I'll get to see it during my visit to NY on Thanksgiving weekend!!

[Kad]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 12:52am

Yes, the direct route out of the building for artists is through the lobby.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 1:30am

"All I want, really, are two things: Good music and a rewarding theatrical experience (ie, one that is not going to bore/depress us to death, insult our intelligence, irritate us, or turn our stomachs."

Well, all I want, really, is a musical that has terrific music, intelligent lyrics, and a STORY. Fun Home worked on all of these levels, and don't take my word for it. Go see it. It's extended.

[theatrecr8zy]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 3:00am

Thanks, Kad.