The Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse
Welcome to
Fun Home
Adapted from Alison Bechdel's groundbreaking graphic novel, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Music by
Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by
Lisa Kron
Based on the Graphic Novel by
Alison Bechdel
Directed by
Marshelle Giggles-Mills
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Musical Direction by
Larry Collica
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Stage Managed by
Brittany Joy Sundman
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Additional Choreography by
Caitlyn Rose Massey
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Sound Design by
Dan Newman
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Stage Crew
Caitlyn Ryan-Raine
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Produced by
Suzanne Ryan
This performance contains strong language, loud noises, and adult themes (grief, suicide, emotional abuse, homophobia, and pedophilia). This performance may be unsuitable for children.
About Fun Home
Originally Produced on Broadway by Fox Theatricals, Barbara Whitman, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Tom Casserly, Paula Marie, Black Latitude Link, Terry Schnuck/Jane Lane, The Forstalls, Nathan Vernon, Mint Theatricals, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jam Theatricals, Delman Whitney, and Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson.
The world premiere production of FUN HOME was produced by The Public Theater.
Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director - Patrick Willingham, Executive Director
In New York City on October 22nd, 2013
FUN HOME was developed, in part, at the 2012 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at White Oak and the 2012 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at the Sundance Resort.
Fun Home
Cast of Characters
Alison ~ Amazing Oakes
Medium Alison ~ Gisele Lajevardi
Small Alison ~ Evie Wilkins
(May 6, 14)
Small Alison ~ Dylan Beam
(May 7, 13, 20)
Bruce Bechdel ~ Dan Newman
Helen Bechdel ~ Melanie Xanthos Goldstein
Christian Bechdel ~ Owen LaBianca
John Bechdel ~ Kent "KJ" Sundman
Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy ~ Chad Sundman
Joan ~ Keeley Bell
Musical Numbers
"It All Comes Back (Opening)" ~ Ensemble
"Welcome To Our House On Maple Avenue"~ Ensemble
"Come To The Fun Home" ~ Small Alison, John, Christian
"Helen's Etude" ~ Helen
"Party Dress" ~ Small Alison, Bruce
"Changing My Major" ~ Medium Alison
"Maps" ~ Alison
"Raincoat of Love" ~ Bobby Jeremy and the Susan Deys, Ensemble
"Pony Girl" ~ Bruce
"Ring of Keys" ~ Small Alison
"Days and Days" ~ Helen
"Telephone Wire" ~ Alison
"Edges of the World" ~ Bruce
"Flying Away (Finale)" ~ Alison, Medium Alison, Small Alison
Fun Home is performed without an intermission.
Introducing the Cast
Amazing Oakes - Alison
Amazing Oakes is so excited to be a part of this production of Fun Home. She loves this story, and is so grateful to portray a complex and insanely human character. Previously, she has played Woman 2 in 35MM, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, and Olivia in Twelfth Night. If you would like to see more from Amazing, feel free to follow her on instagram: @amazingoakes. Enjoy the show!
Chad Sundman - Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy
Chad is happy to be performing in his FIFTH production with CSHP, and his first production alongside his son, Kent, who he is very proud of. He dedicates his performance to his wife, Allie, and daughter, Kailyn.
Dan Newman - Bruce Bechdel
Dan is a musician, songwriter, composer, sound engineer and post-production sound specialist who was, sadly, bitten by the acting bug. Selections from his first EP, "Old School," will soon be available on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. Find it under the name PDanielMusic (Unless he comes up with a clever name in the meantime.) He's excited and intimidated to take on this very challenging role, and would like to thank his friends and family for their support and encouragement!
Dylan Beam - Small Alison (May 7, 13, and 20)
Dylan fell in love with musicals at the young age of 7-years-old. She one day aspires to make it to New York City on Broadway as a performer. When she’s not performing, Dylan is working on her crochet business, DylPickleCrochet, and bursting into song with other theater-loving friends. She wants to give special thanks to her parents and Jason Currie, her vocal coach of many years, for supporting her dreams and challenging her to be the best version of herself every day.
Evie Wilkins - Small Alison (May 6 and 14)
This is Evie’s first show with the CSHP. She is very excited to be part of this amazing and talented cast. When not performing she is singing in the school choir or out on the soccer field. Evie would like to thank Marshelle, Larry, and Suzanne for giving her this outstanding opportunity!
Gisele Lajevardi - Medium Alison
Gisele Lajevardi is so stoked to get to perform one of her dream shows for you! Past favorite roles include: Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, and Buttons in Newsies. Besides performing, Gisele loves avocados, Zumba, and Sutton Foster. She would like to thank the entire cast, crew, friends, and family for supporting her. She hopes you consider changing your major to theatre after watching this (you'll shortly understand what this means). Enjoy the show!
Keeley Bell - Joan
Keeley Bell is a Los Angeles-based actor & writer who is very excited to return to the stage for the first time post-pandemic! Her love for community-based theatre began over a decade ago doing small town plays & musicals, and was the driving force behind her receiving a BA in Theatre at UCLA in 2018. Since then, she has switched her focus to writing, producing, and podcasting but is always SO grateful to be given the opportunity to perform again. You can find her across social media @omgitskee.
Kent “KJ” Sundman - John Bechdel
Kent is excited to make his musical debut with CSHP! He enjoys soccer, parkour, and singing (very loudly) to music on Spotify. Also his Dad is the coolest guy ever, though his Mom probably does a better job taking care of him.
Melanie Xanthos Goldstein - Helen Bechdel
Melanie Xanthos Goldstein is thrilled to be making her CSHP debut in Fun Home, (while performing in her first musical in over 30 years!). Melanie lives in Westchester with her amazing husband, two beautiful kids and adorable puppy, and she's incredibly grateful to her family for encouraging her to follow her happiness. Melanie would also like to thank Aris Kakkis for introducing her to CSHP and Ronni Minnis for giving her the courage to start on this journey. Lastly, Melanie dedicates this performance to her extraordinary mom.
Owen LaBianca - Christian Bechdel
Owen is thrilled to make his musical theater debut in Fun Home. He is 9 years old and a 3rd grader at Serrania Charter Elementary. When he is not in school or rehearsing for Fun Home, he is entertained by playing on his PS5 or playing soccer. He lives with his mom, dad, 13-year-old sister, and TikTok famous dog, Stella. He is thankful for both his mom and also his choreographer, and first-ever babysitter, Caitlyn Massey for encouraging him to audition for Fun Home.
Production and Creative Team
Marshelle Giggles-Mills (Director, Enneagram 2/4) is thankful for another opportunity to create on the Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse stage. She is a founding member and the Artistic Director of the CSHP. Recent projects in the director's seat include Beyond Therapy, 12 Angry Jurors, Working, A Piece of My Heart and The Theory of Relativity. Marshelle is best known for her love of hugs, ladybugs, fuzzy socks, her allergies and her fear of squirrels and craigslist (shoutout to her 6th favorite Collica). Love and gratitude to Doug and her kiddos- Ruby, Bubba, and AJ- for their unyielding support. For more random thoughts and carefully organized chaos, you can stop by her Instagram @meshagiggles.
Brittany Sundman (Stage Manager) has been stage managing shows at the CSHP since 2017 and loving every second of it. Brittany also directed the first staged reading of Tabletop the Musical at the CSHP before it premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. She has been involved in theatre both onstage and backstage since she was 12. When she’s not herding cats at the theater, Brittany is usually herding her actual cats and dog at home.
Caitlyn Ryan-Raine (Stage Crew) was born and raised in Los Angeles. After completing her undergraduate education in Theater Arts and Dance at Cal State LA, she began her professional journey as a circus artist before moving into stage management. In 2021, Caitlyn founded Oasis Arts - a company of specialty performers and event entertainers. Nowadays, you can find her performing vintage dance with the Atomic Cherry Bombs and swing dancing all over LA.
Larry Collica (Musical Director) is excited to celebrate his 10th year as musical director at CSHP! Born and raised in New York, Larry has numerous NYC community theater credits including Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, Guys and Dolls, and Fiddler on The Roof. Larry has brought many aspects of his hometown with him such as wearing his Yankees cap, not signaling when changing lanes, and not wearing a jacket when it’s 60 degrees. Love to his wife for supporting his theater endeavors and holding down the fort when he’s at rehearsal. Finally, love to his girls, Joanna & Alex, for not giving their mother too much trouble while he’s been at rehearsal! Hugs & Nilla Wafers (actually no. I want all the Nilla Wafers) to all those in attendance.
Caitlyn Massey (Additional Choreography) has been part of the CSHP family for almost 8 years. Stage credits include: Marcy in 25th Annual…, Caroline in Theory of Relativity, and Ensemble/Dance Captain in Once on this Island. She currently works as a Dialogue Coordinator for the Fox animated series HouseBroken. Caitlyn’s greatest joy and #1 fan is her cat Penelope. All my love to Marshelle, my friend, my sister.
Suzanne Ryan (Producer) is a founding member of the CSHPlayhouse. Geek by day, thespian by night, she loves working with the cast and crew of Fun Home. We have laughed and cried throughout this rehearsal process and I am grateful for the efforts of every person involved. I hope that you enjoy tonight's performance - I'll be crying in the back, but I'll be quiet, I promise.
Thank you!
The Beam, Bianca, Sundman, and Wilkins families
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Dan Newman
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Larry Moad and Jonathan Carlisle
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Tina Ballabio
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Doug Mills, Logistics Director
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Joan Hahn for friendship and fabric trimming
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Emily Ryan for the loan of the artwork in the Bechdel home. For more information about these pieces you can visit her Ebay store at Antiquarius Collectibles
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H. W. ‘Pat’ Ryan, Technical Director (Emeritus) for your endless moral support and ready availability of tools and gloves.
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Thank you always to the Leadership team of the Woodland Hills Community Church, Pastor Scott Furukawa, and Erika Hawkins.
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Much appreciation to the Mills, Collica, and Ryan families (and all our cast member families!) for their support.
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Thanks always to the CSHP Board of Directors (Suzanne Ryan, Larry Collica, Marshelle Giggles-Mills, and LeVanna Atkinson-Williams).
The Charles Stewart Howard Playhouse (CSHP)
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