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‘Fun Home’ opens at Clear Space in Rehoboth May 4

State Farm’s O’Donnell cosponsors event
April 30, 2018

Says Jeanine O'Donnell, State Farm, sponsor of Clear Space Theatre's production of “Fun Home,” "I cannot wait to see what David Button does with this show! I was fortunate enough to see ‘Fun Home’ at Circle on the Square in New York a few years ago - it is so powerful and moving!" She adds, "And the children in ‘Fun Home’ are amazing! We have such talented young people at Clear Space, and I'm so excited to see them tackle one of the most fun numbers in the show."

Adapted from Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir, with book by Lisa Kron and music by Jeanine Tesori, “Fun Home” finds the middle-aged Bechdel (Carissa Meikeljohn) at work on her memoir and reflecting on two periods earlier in her life: a childhood defined by her volatile, temperamental father, Bruce (James Keegan), and a young adulthood during which she discovered her own sexuality. Throughout, Bechdel seeks to unlock the mysteries surrounding her father's life. Alluding to that search, O'Donnell notes, ‘‘Fun Home’ makes clear the pain that hiding your true self can cause - both to you and to those around you."

Recognizing that “Fun Home” may not be familiar to Clear Space audiences, O'Donnell strongly encourages people to give the show a chance: "I know people sometimes want to see shows with stories or scores they already know and love. Or maybe some people will read a plot synopsis on-line and conclude this is not a show they can relate to. Well, I can assure you: No mere plot summary can begin to do justice to this show! The music, the way the story is told, the relationships in this family - they made me laugh and cry. I'm confident there's a thread somewhere in this story which will resonate in every person's family."

O'Donnell spoke to her sponsorship of the show, saying, "My daughter was involved with Clear Space since its inception. She was in sixth grade then; now, she lives in New York, pursuing her dreams of performing. I support Clear Space in as many ways as possible - and am always blown away by David Button's direction. This was a great opportunity for me to lend some support and see what David could do with this wonderful show!"

“Fun Home” was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, won multiple awards Off-Broadway, and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2015. It won five, including those for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score.“Fun Home” runs weekends from Friday, May 4, through Sunday, May 20. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. There also is one Thursday performance, May 10, at 11 a.m. Tickets for all shows are $17 to $32, and may be purchased at www.clearspacetheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 302-227-2270.

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