Fun Home: Alison Bechdel and Jeanine Tesori, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky.
Alison Bechdel is the author of the graphic novel “Fun Home,” and Jeanine Tesori is the composer of the musical adaptation of “Fun Home”. Originally opening at New York’s Public Theatre, “Fun Home” moved to Broadway and won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical. Jeanine Tesori shared the Tony for Best Original Score with lyricist and librettist Lisa Kron.
“Fun Home” is based on a graphic memoir detailing how Alison Bechdel came out of the closet to her parents, and discovered her father was gay, and the tragedy that came afterward.
Alison Bechdel is also the author of the comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For” and the graphic novel “Are You My Mother.” Jeanine Tesori has written the music for four other musicals: “Violet,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Shrek: The Musical” and, with Tony Kushner, “Caroline or Change.” She has also written scores for four animated films, including “Shrek The Third,” and is currently working on a new opera with Tony Kushner about the later life of Eugene O’Neill.
The touring company of “Fun Home” plays at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre through February 19, 2017. For more information: Curran Theater
Fun Home Wikipedia page Alison Bechdel Jeanine Tesori
Recorded in the offices of the Curran Theatre. Special thanks to Jaron Jones. A shorter version of this interview aired on KPFA’s Arts-Waves program
