Autobiographical ‘Fun Home’ rings true at TheatreWorks

It shifts back and forth in time as the protagonist, Alison Bechdel (Moira Stone), a successful cartoonist, recalls her experiences as Small Alison (Lila Gold), about 10 years old; and Medium Alison (Erin Kommor), a college freshman.

Alison’s father, Bruce (James Lloyd Reynolds), was a high school English teacher, meticulous restorer of the funeral home where they lived, and funeral director in Beech Creek, Pennsylvania.

She had an older brother, Christian (Jack Barrett), and a younger brother, John (Billy Hutton). They had fun, but their father could be alternately kindly and demanding.

Although there were hints that Alison could be gay — she hated wearing dresses and was enthralled when she saw a butch UPS driver — it wasn’t until she was a college freshman that she came out to herself and had her first lover, Joan (Ayelet Firstenberg).

In the flashbacks, Bruce’s sexuality becomes apparent when he initiates contact with former students (all played by Michael Doppe). There also is the time he took his three young kids to New York City and left them alone for a few hours one night, apparently to go cruising.

His story ends tragically. Apparently unable to continue living a double life, he commits suicide by stepping in front of a truck.

Much of the story unfolds in music written by Jeanine Tesori with lyrics and the book by Lisa Kron, who adapted it from Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel of the same name.

TheatreWorks artistic director Robert Kelley directs the excellent cast, eliciting strong performances all around. Kudos especially go to the three actors playing the Bechdel children.

Under the guidance of musical director William Liberatore, who conducts six instrumentalists from the keyboard, the singing is quite good. However, some of the lyrics aren’t always clear.

Dottie Lester-White, associate director, choreographed numbers like “Come to the Fun Home,” the kids’ attempt at a funeral home commercial with a coffin; and “Raincoat of Love,” the family disco number imagined by Small Alison as a favorite TV show.

This autobiographical show rings true and reveals just how much social attitudes have changed between Alison’s generation and her father’s. It’s well worth seeing.

Running about 100 minutes without intermission, “Fun Home” will continue through Oct. 28 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

For tickets and information visit theatreworks.org or call (650) 463-1960.