ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Theater Department will present the musical "Fun Home" in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Black Box Theater.
Performances will run nightly April 9-13 and is recommended for ages 12 and up.
“Fun Home,” one of the first musicals to feature a lesbian protagonist, was adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori from Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir of the same name. It was nominated for the 2014 Edward M. Kennedy Prize, nine Lucille Lortel Awards and won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Emotionally impactful, universal and artistic, “Fun Home” isn’t just a coming-out story or a coming-of-age story, but a story of awareness in the undercurrent of grown-up secrets, intuited by children.
“Fun Home hits on the themes of growing up, looking back, and realizing all the ways that your family shaped you,” said Christine Powers, who will be playing the main protagonist, Alison Bechdel.
“It also, at least for me, is about forgiveness,” Powers said. “This theme of forgiveness speaks to modern audiences. We've all been hurt by relationships in our lives, and I believe it's important to confront those feelings and work through them so you can heal—something you will see the play cover.”
The production is directed by Professor of Theater Daniel Yurgaitis, with musical direction and conducting by Michael Skyles. In addition to design and production work by the Northern State Department of Theater faculty and staff, guest designer Andria Ball is in residence through opening night.
After completing her BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology at Texas State, Ball joined in Cobalt Studio’s scenic painting courses before moving to Chicago to pursue a freelance career. She completed her MFA in Scenic Design at Indiana University. After graduation, Ball continued designing and painting in a variety of professional and educational environments and is currently working as a freelance Scenic Designer designing shows all over the country.
Tickets for “Fun Home” go on sale March 20 at noon, and are $18, with a Northern faculty/staff discount of $9. NSU students are admitted free with ID.
To buy tickets, please click here.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.