Gary Griffin Helmed “FUN HOME” Extends at Victory Gardens Theater
Victory Gardens Theater announces the extension of the first show of its 43rd season, Fun Home, with music written by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics written by Lisa Kron and directed by Gary Griffin. Fun Home now runs through November 19, 2017 at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.
“It is always thrilling when a production like Fun Home has made such a profound impact on our Chicago audiences that we’re able to offer it for an extended period of time. Gary Griffin has directed an incredible production and we’re excited to share it with more audiences.” comments Chay Yew.
Newly added performances for Fun Home are as follows: Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30pm; Thursday, November 16 at 7:30pm; Friday, November 17 at 7:30pm; Saturday, November 18 at 3pm and 7:30pm; and Sunday, November 19 at 3pm.
Tickets for Fun Home, priced $15 – $75, are currently on sale. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens Box Office, 773.871.3000, email tickets@victorygardens.org, or visit www.victorygardens.org.
Hailed as one of Broadway’s most original musicals and the winner of 5 Tony Awards, Fun Home is a groundbreaking story inspired by Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir. In this intimate musical, Alison sets out to unravel the many mysteries of her childhood through a series of memories and conversations – from her coming out to her moving journey to acceptance. Gary Griffin (Hand to God, Never the Sinner) directs this emotionally charged family drama that The New York Times calls “extraordinary,” and “a rare beauty.”
Fun Home features Isa Arciniegas (Joan, November 18-19), McKinley Carter (Helen Bechdel, through November 5), Preetish Chakraborty (John Bechdel), Danielle Davis(Joan), Leo Gonzalez (Christian Bechdel), Sage Elliott Harper (Small Alison), Stella Rose Hoyt (Small Alison), Rob Lindley (Bruce Bechdel), Joe Lino (Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy), Anne Sheridan-Smith (Helen Bechdel, beginning November 8), Danni Smith (Alison) and Hannah Starr (Medium Alison).
The creative team for Fun Home includes Doug Peck (music director), Yu Shibagaki(scenic design), Melissa Ng (costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Mealah Heidenreich and Alec Long (co-properties design). The stage manager is Jessica Forella.
Performance Schedule
Performances run through November 19, 2017: Wednesday— Friday at 7:30pm; Saturdayat 3pm and 7:30pm; Sunday at 3:00pm. Regular performances are $15-$75.
Performances are at the Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens Box Office, 773.871.3000, email tickets@victorygardens.org, or visit www.victorygardens.org. Ask the Box Office about student tickets ($15), senior, and Access. For group discounts, call 872.817.9087.
Public Programs
Public Programs is an event series designed to enhance your experience by exploring themes and issues within Victory Gardens Theater’s productions. Connecting our theater to the world beyond the stage and rehearsal room, Public Programs bridge ideas, provoke dialogue, and deepen the relationship between our audiences and our productions.
A full and updated schedule of special events, post-show discussions, and presentations centered on performances of Native Gardens is available at www.victorygardens.org . All events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 773.871.3000 or visit the Victory Gardens website.
AFTERWORDS
Post-Show Conversation
After every performance of Fun Home (unless otherwise noted)
Join us for one of our intimate post-show conversations. Led by members from the Victory Gardens community—artistic affiliates, Artistic staff, Teen Arts Council members, The Council of Community Leaders, and community partners—reflect on what you’ve seen and share your response.
COLLEGE NIGHT: FAMILY SECRETS
Free Post-Show Performance
October 20 | Friday | 9:30 p.m.
In Fun Home, Alison looks back through her memories to understand her father, and how his identity affected her family and their relationship. What sort of secrets do family members keep? What changes when those secrets are revealed? Join us for a pre-show reception in the lobby featuring delicious drink specials & free pizza. Then, stick around forFun Home and stay for post-show performances featuring short scenes written, directed, and performed by college artists from DePaul University, University of Chicago, Loyola, and Northwestern University.
GRAPHIC CONTENT
Pre-show Celebration
October 21 | Saturday | 6:30 p.m.
We’ve all heard the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.” But what does that mean in the world of graphic art? How does a visual artist tell stories with their work? Come out to Saturday’s performance of Fun Home early for a full afternoon of live art demonstrations, exhibitions, and hands-on activities featuring Chicago-based graphic artists. There will be free food and beautiful art!
AFTER THE HONEYMOON
Pre-show Celebration | Post-Show Town Hall
October 26 | Thursday | 9:30 p.m.
In our current political climate, rights won by the LGBTQIA+ community are at risk and under attack. How far have we come? How much more is still to come? Join us for this special post-show town hall event where we will be joined by scholars, activists, and local politicians as we begin the process of uncovering where we need to go from here.
I CAME OUT LIKE A WRECKING BALL
Post-Show Performance
November 2 | Thursday | 9:30 p.m.
Although every queer person has their own individual coming out experience, the act is universal. Sharing your truth with your loved ones can be terrifying, but it helps to know that you aren’t alone. Join us after the evening’s performance of Fun Home to laugh, cry, and come together as queer comedians, performers, and storytellers share their stories.
About Victory Gardens Theater
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. Victory Gardens Theater is committed to the development, production and support of new plays that has been the mission of the theater since its founding, set forth by Dennis Začek, Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater.
Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theater work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens’ core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city’s and nation’s culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city’s active student population.
Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Začek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.
Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwrights include Luis Alfaro, Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Ike Holter, Samuel D. Hunter, Naomi Iizuka, Tanya Saracho and Laura Schellhardt. Each playwright has a seven-year residency at Victory Gardens Theater.
For more information about Victory Gardens, visit www.victorygardens.org. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens, Twitter @VictoryGardens and Instagram at instagram.com/victorygardenstheater/
Victory Gardens Theater receives major funding from The Wallace Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Shubert Foundation, The REAM Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Allstate Insurance, Polk Bros. Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William and Orli Staley Foundation, Time Warner Foundation, Inc., The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding is provided by: Abbot Downing & Wells Fargo, Alliance Bernstein, The Charles H. and Bertha L. Boothroyd Foundation, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, The Edgerton Foundation, Exelon, The Field Foundation of Illinois, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Tool Works, Italian Village Restaurants, JCCC Foundation, Mayer Brown LLP, The McVay Foundation, LLP, The Prince Charitable Trusts, The Saints, Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Southwest Airlines, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Whole Foods Market, and Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association.