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NENAproductions Theater Project returns next week with the Jersey Shore’s first production of Fun Home, the Tony Award-winning musical based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic tragicomic memoir.

Ben Brantley of The New York Times called Fun Home a rare beauty that pumps fresh air into Broadway and LA Times’ Charles McNulty said the musical has all the dramatic richness of a memorable play.

“[It] combines textured character psychology and nuanced storytelling with the enchantment of a score that can go from melancholy to zany in a heartbeat,” McNulty wrote.

Fun Home Fun, the first show written exclusively by women, won five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and was named to top 10 lists of The New York Times, Associated Press, The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, The Daily Beast, Chicago Tribune, and The Hollywood Reporter; and is a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

The story centers on three stages of Bechdel’s live as she explores and unravels childhood mysteries that connect with her in surprising new ways, said Nick Montesano, NENAproduction’s artistic director.

“We are extremely excited to be the first community theater in New Jersey to present this Tony Award-winning musical,” Montesano said. “Fun Home is a touching family tragicomedy that surely will touch everyone with its dynamic and moving score.”

Montesano directs and designs the production and Jeff Brown serves as musical director.

Samantha Maidlow portrays the adult Bechdel; Emily Monus portrays the author at age 19; and the real life mother daughter team of Gina Whalen and Maura Whalen take of the roles of Helen, Bechdel’s mother, and the youngest of the three biographical roles.

The tortured and troubled father Bruce Bechdel is portrayed by Jonathan Wells, with Tyler Sautner and Gavin Springer as Bechdel brothers Christian and John. The cast is rounded out by Laura Mullaney as Joan, and Steven Brandt in the multiple roles of Roy, Mark, Pete, and Bobby Jeremy, Montesano said.

Fun Home runs 8 p.m. Oct 13, 14, 20, 21, and at 3 p.m Oct 22, at The Jersey Shore Arts Center, located at 66 S. Main St in Ocean Grove. Tickets are $25 via ticketleap.com, by phone at 732-988-1007, or at the Starving Artist at Days Restaurant, located at 47 Olin Street in Ocean Grove.

[Feature Photo: Emily Monus (r), Maura Whalen (c), and Samantha Maidlow (l) portray the three ages of Fun Home’s Alison Bechdel. Photo by Melissa Caccioppo]

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