Fun Home ok for 10 year old?

My 10-year-old daughter and I desperately want to see Fun Home before it closes!  My daughter loves the theater, and we've seen clips of the show online as well as listened to the soundtrack.  She's familiar with the subject matter and plot, but I'm not sure that the show would be "appropriate" for her (however one wants to define that).  I'm wondering if anyone who has brought their children to the show could provide me with some feedback...I feel like seeing the show would be such an amazing opportunity for her, but I don't want it to be overwhelming, either.  I should say, she's very mature for her age, she performs and loves theater (Sweeney Todd is her favorite). Thoughts?  Thank you!

Updated On: 8/16/16 at 12:59 PM

I think it really depends on the kid. I was really mature for my age and loved theater, but I don't think I would have understood or enjoyed Fun Home. Not really because of the subject matter, but it is very much a complex musical about layered and tense relationships between adults. It sounds like you're familiar enough with the story to make a decision based on content/themes. You know your kid and we don't. But I don't think most 10 year olds would get a lot out of the show. 

Updated On: 8/16/16 at 01:04 PM

 If her favorite show is Sweeney Todd, then I don't think anything in Fun Home would be objectionable.... she just may not fully understand or appreciate it. It deals so heavily in mature themes like sexual identity, making sense of your relationship with your parents as an adult, emotional repression, implied statutory rape.  It's a heavy show, in a way that Sweeney isn't.

 

Wow TM2, you said a mouthful; I think one of your options would definitely be asking other parents (or spouse?) in your circle for advice. Joining the board on the same day and presenting this situation is pretty deep. If she's 10 years old and I guess she's jumped right over "Annie" or "Joseph/Dreamcoat" right to "Sweeney Todd" being her favorite?? I think she can handle it already...

If my 10 year old's favorite musical was "Sweeney Todd" then I wouldn't even be concerned as to whether "Fun Home" was appropriate or not.

Is this thread a joke? 

TheaterMom2 said: "My 10-year-old daughter and I desperately want to see Fun Home before it closes! 
    •    we've seen clips of the show online as well as listened to the soundtrack. 
    •    She's familiar with the subject matter and plot
    •    she's very mature for her age

I'm not sure that the show would be "appropriate" for her (however one wants to define that)."

I don't understand why you're asking about this. Are you looking for some form of approval? Are you afraid of some consequence should you and your daughter see the show? Is there a reason why you and your daughter can't define what's "appropriate" for yourselves to see/attend?

When I re-read the above, I'm tempted to offer some type of apology for seeming sarcastic or degrading. That's not the case, however. This just seems like a decision you can make for yourselves.

While Sweeney Todd has violence and rape--the rape could missed by someone younger, Fun Home hits a little closer to the here and now as far as far as dysfunctional family dynamics goes. While both shows have an older adult authority figure lusting after younger person, it could be argued that the setting and make-up of Sweeney Todd remove it more from reality then a story set in present day. 

Maybe if more kids saw this show they wouldn't be so brutal to the kids going through what Alison did.  By all means, take her and tell her about what it means.

 

 

Instead of asking us, why don't you read the book that the musical is based on, and let us know your decision, 

 

 

PalJoey said: " 

Instead of asking us, why don't you read the book that the musical is based on, and let us know your decision, "

I personally think the play is far more age appropriate for a young girl than the book, which is much more graphic and adult in tone. I would easily take a 10 year old to see the musical but I might have to wait on the book, well parts of it anyway.


 

Kathy is right.  The book IS more graphic then the show.

South Florida said: "Maybe if more kids saw this show they wouldn't be so brutal to the kids going through what Alison did.  By all means, take her and tell her about what it means.
 

Great point!

For those comparing the two (fun home and Sweeney) I think they are apples and oranges. Sweeney Todd is more out of the realm of reality, IMO. Some kids would likely think it's gruesome, and may not really get the plot line. Fun Home has a lot going on, so just be prepared to explain. Are you comfortable explaining all that (how troubled Bruce is, and defining what 'sex with Joan' actually entails)? My daughter knew what homosexuality was at that age, and I knew many parents who weren't comfortable with that topic then (yes, that's their hang up). The dysfunction in the family (and Bruce's ultimate demise- no spoiler, I'm sure) is pretty heavy too. Explaining suicide is not easy; adults even struggle with understanding it.

We often think our kids understand and process things in a mature way, but sometimes they don't, and we don't realize it until later on. 

OTOH, there are thousands of kids vying for the roles of the children in auditions. A friend of ours just landed the alternate role of small Alison on tour- she is ten. I assume she understands the story! The role of brother is even younger. One more thing: it is a great show!!