Theaterworks Silicon Valley FUN HOME

I want to give a shout out for folks in the San Francisco Bay Area. Theaterworks Silicon Valley has produced an outstanding production of FUN HOME at the Mountain View Performing Arts Center. I've seen countless TWSV shows and this one ranks at the top with the best. Add in free parking at the MVPCA and lots of restaurant options on Castro Street, and it's just a great overall experience.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Moira Stone as Adult Alison is perfect with a gorgeous voice. Hard to top Beth Malone but she really inhabits the role. James Lloyd Reynolds gave a wonderful performance as Bruce. I'm a Cerveris fan, but I preferred James' in the role. His moving between the emotions of love and anger were realistic and believable. The kids at the performance I saw -- Ruth Klein, Dylan Kento Curtis, and Oliver Yellin -- were wonderful and frankly better than those I saw on Broadway (Sydney had already left and I saw Gabrielle as Little Alison).

I missed the magic of the set movement at Circle in the Square. I didn't see the Public or tour productions, but TWSV helps prove this piece works in a traditional proscenium house. Though there was something really special and immersive about the Broadway staging. Get seats close to the stage to feel more like a fly on the wall; don't worry about the stage height. If you've been to MVPAC you know even the first row has excellent sight lines.

The sound mixing could use a little fine tuning. At times the orchestra blared out the actors. FH is one of my favorite newer shows and I nearly know the score by heart, so I understood it...but those less familiar probably missed some of the lyrics.

Set design was simple but good. There is a garden on stage left down a step from the stage, and Bruce and the kids actually plant the tree they stole from the neighbors. A very cool effect.

The audience was generally older -- it was a Sunday matinee -- and I assume largely a subscriber base. Their lukewarm response, laughter and applause made me think they didn't really get what was going on.

As in the past the 1:40 intermissionless running time breezes by. I love this show, Tesori and Kron really nailed the book and score, and Robert Kelley's direction moves it along. Kelley is retiring as Artistic Director at the end of their 50th season next year. I wonder if he will continue to direct from time to time. Performances continue until October 28.

Updated On: 10/8/18 at 04:02 PM

Thanks for your review. We are seeing this on October 20, matinee. Sitting in row K, side aisle. Looking forward to it! I saw it at Circle in the Square, so it will be interesting to see how it works at this venue. Was your show well sold?

I loved TheatreWorks' production of The Four Immigrants and Hold These Truths. Native Gardens had a nice set and was good. Prince of Egypt was a disappointment.