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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Fun Home at The Portland Players.

This extraordinary musical invites us to “come to the Fun Home”—not just the Bechdel family’s funeral home, but the emotional home we build through reflection, identity, and truth-telling. It’s a story about memory, about seeing our parents clearly, and about the courage it takes to step into who we really are. In that way, it’s a story that belongs to all of us.

At its core, Fun Home is about family. And as we all know—every family is different. Some are loud, some are quiet, some carry joy, others carry secrets, and many carry both. What Alison shares through her memories is deeply personal, but universally human: a search for connection, understanding, and self.

Here at The Portland Players, we strive to tell stories that reflect the wide range of human experience. Some shows make you laugh, others make you cry—and every so often, a show like Fun Home comes along that reaches even deeper. It challenges us, moves us, and reminds us of the power of truth in storytelling.

We chose this show to run in June, Pride Month, as an intentional gesture of support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. It’s part of our continued effort to ensure that our stage reflects the diversity of the world around us—and that everyone feels welcome here.

We are deeply grateful to director Whitney Brown, whose thoughtful vision and sensitive guidance have shaped this production with both artistry and care. Her leadership has brought these layered characters and emotional moments to life with compassion, grace, and clarity.

We’re also expanding our efforts offstage, through community outreach and partnerships with local organizations working to serve and uplift others. Because theater doesn’t just live in the spotlight—it lives in the community.

As always, we are proud to be Maine’s longest-running community theater, operated entirely by volunteers. It’s your ticket purchases, donations, and ongoing support that keep our doors open and our stage alive.

Thank you for joining us. Whether you’re here for the first time or the hundredth, you are part of this story—and this home.

Enjoy the show, Tracy Pratt, President, The Portland Players

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Welcome to the Fun Home.

This ground-breaking musical, adapted from Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir, invites us into a deeply personal and beautifully complex story about memory, identity, family and truth. At its heart, Fun Home is a journey of self-discovery. It is a tapestry of moments woven from a childhood spent longing to be seen, an adolescence filled with joy and frustration, and an exploration of the clarity (and ambiguity) of adulthood. By laying bare her story, Alison Bechdel makes others feel seen. There is power in being seen and now, more than ever, queer stories need to be told and heard

Fun Home captivates the audience with its powerful honesty. It shows us all of the messiness of life–the secrets we hide, the surface we shine, the contradictions, the missed connections, and the moments of beauty and pain that shape us. It speaks to anyone who has tried to make sense of the past in order to understand who they are today. While presenting Alison’s story, we acknowledge every single voice that has fought to be visible, find their identity, and make sense of complicated family relationships.

As a director, it has been an honor to explore the layers of this work with a cast, crew and production team who brought their full hearts to the process. This has been a labor of love and exploration years (and years) in the making. Every detail was crafted with care and respect for the source material and the lives it reflects and will impact. Thank you to this wonderful group of people who came together with open hearts and minds to dig deep into the who, the what, the why and the when. I believe in the importance of theatre to build community and reflect a complicated world and complex people. Now is the time to tell important stories. Thank you for joining us. We hope Fun Home provides a space for reflection, conversation, and connection.

Whitney Brown Director, Fun Home

THE CAST

Alison ................................................................................Rebecca Rinaldi

Medium Alison................................................................. Isabelle Grignon

Small Alison .................................... Ava DeNino & CJ Sunshine Moughty

Bruce Bechdel ...................................................................... Tommy Waltz

Helen Bechdel ............................................................... Rachel Jane Henry

Joan ................................................................................... Caroline Chung

Christian Bechdel ................... Nathaniel Cummons & Clementine Enright

John Bechdel .............................. George Fongemie & Clementine Enright

Roy, Pete, Mark, Bobby Jeremy ................................. Sampson Spadafore

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Runtime is approximately 100 minutes with no intermission

“It All Comes Back” (Opening)

Full Company

“Welcome to Our House on Maple Avenue”

Helen, Alison, Small Alison, Christian, John, Bruce and Roy

“Not Too Bad” Medium Alison

“Come to the Fun Home”

Small Alison, Christian and John

“Helen’s Etude”

Bruce, Roy, Helen, Alison, Small Alison, Christian, John

“Party Dress”

Small Alison, Bruce, and Medium Alison

“Changing My Major” Medium Alison

“Maps” Alison

“Raincoat of Love”

Bobby Jeremy and Company

“Pony Girl” Bruce

“Ring of Keys” Small Alison

“Days and Days” Helen

“Telephone Wire” Alison and Bruce

“Edges of the World” Bruce

“Flying Away”

Alison, Small Alison, and Medium Alison

Caroline Chung

Nathaniel Cummons

Ava DeNino

Clementine Enright

George Fongemie

Isabelle Grignon

Rachel Jane Henry

CJ Sunshine Moughty

Rebecca Rinaldi

Sampson

Tommy Waltz

MEET THE COMPANY

Caroline Chung (Joan) (she/ her) is so grateful and excited to be returning to theater with The Portland Players! Caroline holds a degree in music from Boston University (’22). Originally from Virginia, she spent 10 years training as an opera singer. If you’re familiar with NoVA, you might have seen her in shows with Loudoun Lyric Opera or on the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center! Nowadays, Caroline works for the nonprofit The Maine Tasting Center and loves life in the Midcoast. Love and thanks to this incredible team, Isaac, Hannah, Sara, friends, and family.

Nathaniel Cummons (Christian) (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to the Portland Players stage! Most recently he played Morris in Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Other credits include: Sound of Music (Kurt von Trapp, Ogunquit Playhouse); Mary Poppins (Michael Banks, Portland Players); Annie Jr. (Bert Healy, Twin City Theater Academy); and Seussical (JoJo, Ogunquit Playhouse Arts Academy). Up next: Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr. at MSMT. He thanks his family and friends for their continued support!

Ava DeNino (Small Alison) is thrilled to make her Portland Players debut! Previous roles include Young Anna in Frozen Jr., Matilda in Matilda the Musical (Cape Elizabeth Middle School), and The Sheep in Charlotte’s Web (Royal River Community Players). Endless gratitude to the entire Fun Home team—you’ve become a theater family I’ll never forget—and to my amazing friends and family for all their love and support.

Clementine Enright (Christian / John) (they/them) is a freshman at Deering High School and a lifelong theater enthusiast. Their recent roles include Mr. Kirby/Henderson in You Can’t Take it With You at Stages Youth Theater, Gomez in The Addams Family Musical (Deering Players), and Uncle Walt in The Blue and The Gray (Deering one-act). This is their first Portland Players show, and they are grateful for the opportunity to work with such awesome people on such a fascinating piece of theater. In their free time, they enjoy good comics, loud music, and 90s sketch comedy.

George Fongemie (John) (he/ him) is an 11-year-old boy who is so excited to perform in his second show ever! He loves to act

MEET THE COMPANY

and play guitar. He also enjoys making art, reading, rock climbing, cooking, and planning parties. He would like to thank you all for supporting him and all the other cast and crew members!

Isabelle Grignon (Medium Alison) previously appeared at Portland Players in Into the Woods (Cinderella). Favorite past roles include Pamela in Head Over Heels (Waterville Opera House), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (SAC), Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Alyssa Greene in The Prom (Lyric Music Theatre), and Godspell (Turn Back, O Man, Hackmatack Playhouse). Isabelle is currently studying secondary education/English at USM and enjoys performing at the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine. She thanks her mother and her girlfriend, Sutton, for loving and supporting her.

Rachel Jane Henry (Helen) (she/ her) is a Portland Players regular. You may have seen her recently as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, a Narnian deer in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, or a multitude of characters with 8 wigs in We Will Rock You. She is incredibly grateful to be a part of this cast and crew, at this time, telling this story. Family is complex and hard and beautiful and foundational,

and this show explores that with honesty and relatability. Theater saves lives, opens eyes, and creates family of another kind. Welcome to the Fun Home!

CJ Sunshine Moughty (Small Alison) is a 12-year-old actor excited to take on this powerful role for her 16th show. She trained in NYC with Broadway Artists Alliance, working with Arbender Robinson and voice coach Laura Renee. As someone with two moms, CJ deeply connects with the story of Fun Home. When not on stage, she enjoys singing, sleepovers with friends, and expressing herself through performance. CJ is grateful to her directors, cast, and family for their support.

Rebecca Rinaldi (Alison) (she/ her) is thrilled to be returning to Portland Players. Previous stage credits: Dee Dee Allen in The Prom (Lyric Theater), Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein (Lyric Theater), Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde (Lyric Theater), Margaret in The Light in the Piazza (City Theater), Donna in Mamma Mia! (Portland Players), Diana in Next to Normal (City Theater), the Witch in Into the Woods (SAC & Lyric Theater), Mama Rose in Gypsy (City Theater), and Joanne in Rent (Lyric

MEET THE COMPANY

Theater). She thanks her friends, family, Lorna, Catelyn, and Natalie for their support.

Sampson Spadafore (Roy / Mark / Pete / BJ) (they/them) is excited to be back at Portland Players! Sampson is a white, neurodivergent, queer and trans artist living on Wabanaki land. They graduated from Nazareth University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Some credits include Emmett u/s in Legally Blonde (Portland Players), Heath in Pony (Portland Theatre Festival), Carolyn in Song of Bernadette Jones (Fresh Fruit Festival), and Bee Doyle in Floyd Collins (Nazareth University). Sampson is a proud co-founder of Brazen Bandits, a trans artist collective. Find more of their work at sampsonspadafore.com.

Tommy Waltz (Bruce) (he/him/ his) Select Maine credits: Robert Kincaid (The Bridges of Madison County), Malcolm MacGregor (The Full Monty), Galileo Figaro (We Will Rock You), Leo Frank (Parade), Emcee (Cabaret), and Gary/Roger (Noises Off). Directing credits include The Laramie Project (SecondStory Theatre Company – SSTC) and Stroll Haunted Yarmouth (Royal River Community Players). Additional artistic credits: SSTC (President/

Founding Member), Maine Gay Men’s Chorus (President/ Member), TEDxDirigo speaker. Offstage: Clinical Director (Art of Awareness), Psychotherapist (Tommy Waltz, LCSW).

PRODUCTION TEAM

Tim Baker (Master Carpenter) can’t act, he can’t dance and you sure don’t want to hear him sing! He enjoys his time at Portland Players building these sets you see before you with his very talented team. Tim has been the Master Carpenter for nearly 40 productions over the past 15 or so years and would like to thank Kate and Emily Baker for their support when he sneaks away to Portland Players most weekends. Tim also serves on the Portland Players Board of Trustees for nearly as many years.

Whitney Brown (Director) (she/ her) is a director/actor who holds a BFA in theatre from Emporia State and a MFA in Directing from Baylor. She moved to Maine to complete an internship at Portland Stage Company in 2008. Since then, she has worked with a number of local theatres: Maddy’s Theater, Mad Horse, Cast Aside, DRC, The Footlights, Lyric Music Theater, Portland Players, and Royal River Community Players.

MEET THE COMPANY

In addition to her theatrical endeavors, she works as a case manager at a local non-profit. She believes in the power of theatre to build community and tell important stories and is so fortunate to work with this amazing team of actors, crew and production team members! Thank you for breathing so much life into this beautiful story.

Lisa Bulthuis (Props) is happy to be working with the talented cast and crew of Fun Home. Prior shows with Portland Players include Peter & The Starcatcher, The Odd Couple, and God of Carnage.

Evan Cuddy (Music Director & Piano) (he/him/his) is a musician/ teacher from Portland, ME. He currently serves as accompanist at the First Parish Church UCC in Yarmouth, as well as collaborative pianist for the HORIZON VOICES youth choirs. He teaches general music and chorus at Longfellow Elementary School. He has been music directing at Portland Players since 2015 and has also served as musical director at Lyric Music Theatre, The Deertrees Theatre, and Maine State Music Theatre. Evan frequently plays with the Bangor Symphony. Follow his musical journey on Instagram @ insta_strings.

Marie Elizabeth (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) (she/her) is a writer, director, organizer, teacher, and librarian. Her original plays have been staged with PortFringe, the Maine Playwrights Festival, and the 24-Hour Theater Project, and she has contributed to programs with Portland Ovations, Mayo Street Arts, and SPACE Gallery. This summer she will serve as dramaturg for Next to Normal at Lyric Music Theater. Many thanks to this brilliant cast and crew, especially kindred spirit and longtime collaborator, Whitney Brown.

Alexandra Garbeck (Stage Manager) (she/her) Alex (aka bug) is excited to work again with the incomparable Whitney Brown, for whom she SMed last season’s award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher. Alex was most recently (not) seen as the PSM for Into the Woods. Next up: Pride and Prejudice at Lyric Music Theater, Macbeth and American Idiot at Players. Thank you to the amazing cast, production team, and pit, her spectacular ASM Amanda, and much love and respect to her amazingly hardworking stage ninja and tech crew, without whom this show, or any show, would not be possible.

MEET THE COMPANY

Janice Gardner (Intimacy Coordinator) has worked as an intimacy director since 2019 and has trained with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC). She serves as the intimacy director for the USM Department of Theatre and has been the intimacy choreographer for productions with Mad Horse Theatre Company (You Got Older, When We Were Young & Unafraid), Portland Stage Company (Conscience, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf), Colby College, Bates College (Body Awareness), and the Maine Playwrights Festival. She is a company member with Mad Horse Theatre Company.

Crystal Giordano (Costumes) is delighted to return to Portland Players for Fun Home. Though she’s been away from the theater scene, she’s no stranger to the stage—both performing and working her magic behind the curtain. When she’s not designing, she enjoys crafting, cosplay, and volunteering, especially running a literacy program at a local elementary school. Special thanks to her family—Joe, Angelo, and River—and her dear friend Celeste, the phenomenal Michael Donnovan, and the costume goddesses—Julie, Nancy, and Louise—for their support and encouragement.

Elwood Gray (Intern) (they/ him/hers) is extremely excited to see Fun Home enter the stage in all its glory! They’d like to thank everyone in the cast, crew, and production for letting them be part of this process; this show’s run has been truly unforgettable in the best way. They hope to see everyone in this production prosper in the future both on and off stage. Enjoy the show!

Amanda Holbrook (Assistant Stage Manager) is so grateful to be a part of the Fun Home team! This is her second show with Portland Players, and she is extremely excited and proud to share this show with everyone. Amanda would like to thank her friends for their never-ending support of her many (often overlapping) theatrical endeavors, and send special thanks to Cadie, Claire, Emmaline, Isaac, Camilla, Lily, and Joey for the love they give her every day, which has kept her going throughout this show and beyond.

Abby Hussey (Stage Crew) is so excited to work on another production with the Portland Players! She last was the assistant stage manager for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and worked on the crew for Into the Woods. She’s thrilled for another

MEET THE COMPANY

opportunity to make a show come together, especially such a beautiful story like Fun Home.

Ashley McBreairty (Light Design) (she/her) is an awardwinning lighting designer and lifelong Mainer. She recently graduated from the University of Southern Maine, earning two BAs in Theater and Psychology. Her studies inform her design choices, utilizing human perception of color to create expression through light. She has over 100 credits to her name and has worked in theater since she was four, both on stage and behind the scenes. She is thrilled to be back at Portland Players to color the stage once more!

Chartreuse Money (Choreographer) is a Portlandbased drag artist, producer, and choreographer with a BA in Dance. Voted Portland’s Best Drag Personality in 2023 and 2024, she hosts Batson River Drag Brunch and has hosted the Pride Parade. Choreo credits include Chicago and Urinetown (CLT), Catch Me If You Can (Schoolhouse), and Footloose (Greely HS). She also works with Portland Ovations bringing Drag Story Times to kids across the city. @TheCharMoney

Zoë Njaa (Props & Stage Crew) is delighted to return to Portland Players to work with Whitney and company! She has been involved with many local theater productions as a stage manager, prop designer, and crew member. Highlights include Titanic, Peter and the Starcatcher, Casa Valentina, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Catch Me if You Can, among others.

Giselle (Gigi) Paquette (Producer) has been active in New England theatre for many years as a performer, choreographer, and producer. Favorite roles at Portland Players include The Wedding Singer, Company, and Gypsy. Choreography credits include La Cage Aux Folles, Company, and Seussical. She is the Program Creator & Producing Artistic Director of the Young Actors Workshop and serves as Vice President of Artistic Development on the Portland Players Board. Gigi is also a Senior Corporate Paralegal at Bernstein Shur.

Demetrius Paulus (Stage Crew) (he/him) As a recent addition to Fun Home’s stage crew, he is excited to assist in bringing the show to life. While this is his first performance working with Portland Players, he has

MEET THE COMPANY

both performed and helped with crew for other small performing arts companies, including Vivid Motion.

Anthony Pyatt (Community Outreach) is a lifelong theater fan and now serves as VP of Development & Fundraising at Portland Players, where he’s loved channeling his background and passion into outreach for Fun Home. He’s driven by a love for connecting people through powerful stories and is grateful for the chance to help bring the community into the theater—and the theater into the community.

Molly Wagner (Light Board Operator) (she/her) loves her dungarees and lace-up boots and can often be found with a ring of keys attached. In recent seasons she has been holding curtains and pressing buttons at Lyric Music Theater (The Prom, A Christmas Carol, The SpongeBob Musical) and Mad Horse Theatre Company (White, Witch, The Legend of Georgia McBride). By day, she takes notes and makes lists at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine. Special thanks to her dog Frisco for all the cuddles, even if he still hasn’t figured out how to have dinner ready by the time rehearsal ends.

PORTLAND PLAYERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Tracy Pratt - President

Giselle “Gigi” Paquette - VP

Artistic Development

Brian Fournier - VP Building and Operations

Anthony Pyatt - VP Business Development

Alexandra Garbeck - VP Production

Kelly Mosher - VP Publicity

Jason “Chachi” Robinson - VP Technology

Al Romano - Treasurer

Hillary Price - Secretary

Rebecca Bolduc - Co-Box Office Manager

Hillary L’Heureux - Co-Box Office Manager

TRUSTEES

Timothy Baker

Whitney Brown

Taylor Gervais

Stanley Kimball

Sam Rinaldi

Nick Sutton

Emma Tompkins

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ............................................................................. Whitney Brown

Music Director ........................................................................ Evan Cuddy

Choreographer............................................................... Chartreuse Money

Assistant Director/Dramaturg .......................................... Marie Elizabeth

Producer ................................................................................ Gigi Paquette

Community Outreach ........................................................... Anthony Pyatt

Stage Manager ............................................................. Alexandra Garbeck

Assistant Stage Manager ............................................... Amanda Holbrook

Intimacy Coordinator .......................................................... Janice Gardner

Intern ..................................................................................... Elwood Gray

Props .................................................................Lisa Bulthuis & Zoe Njaa

Props Support ..............................................Ethan Whited & Andrew Njaa

Costumes ......................................................................... Crystal Giordano

Set Design ......................................................................... Whitney Brown

Master Carpenter ........................................................................ Tim Baker

Light Design................................................................. Ashley McBreairty

Light Board Op .................................................................... Molly Wagner

Sound Design ...................................................................... Jayson Murray

Sound Board Op ............................................................ Emma Shumadine

Stage Crew ..........................

Abby Hussey, Zoe Njaa & Demetrius Paulus

Scenic/Painting Support ....... Tim Baker, Steve Lupien, Nick Nelsonwood, Whitney Brown, Heather Mellecker, Danton Brown, Amanda Holbrook, Elwood Gray, Jessica Libby, Ash Muise, Zoe Njaa, Lisa Bulthuis, Hannah Lowenstein & Cory Osborne

Costume Support ......................................... Celeste Green & Joe Giordano

Lighting Support .............. Abby Hussey, Everett Prairie & Colby Cormier

Photographer .......................... Kat Moraros (www.katmorarosphoto.com)

ORCHESTRA

Piano ....................................................................................... Evan Cuddy

Guitar ................................................................................ Gregoire Pearce

Percussion ............................................................................ Joshua Adams

Bass ..................................................................................... Joseph Greene

Violin/Viola ........................................................................ Anna Pearlman

Reeds ................................................................................. Michael O’Neal

• Runtime is approximately 100 minutes with NO INTERMISSION

• Content Advisory: While it’s deeply moving and beautifully done, Fun Home contains mature language themes including: depictions of sexual experiences, verbal abuse, homophobia, mental health struggles, family dysfunction, grooming of minors, and suicide. This performance is recommended for ages 13 and older with parent/guardian discretion.

• Electronics Policy: The videotaping or other recording of this production is a violation of the copyright law. Please turn off all electronic devices. The use of cell phones during the production is prohibited.

The Portland Players would like to share the following local and national resources:

• Maine Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 888-568-1112

• Maine Intentional Warm Line (Peer Support): 866-771-9276

• 211 Maine (support directory): 211maine.org

• Maine Domestic Violence Hotline: 866-834-4357

• Maine Equality Community Center: eccmaine.org

• Maine Trans Net: www.mainetrans.net

• Equality Maine: www.equalitymaine.org

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call or text 988

• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

• The Trevor Project: www.trevorproject.com

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO

USM • Bill Mimikos • Marty Pottenger • Portland Public Library Campfire Institute • Lyric Music Theater Sam Rinaldi • McAllister Tugboat and Towing

First Parish Congregational Church, Yarmouth

South Portland Parks, Recreation & Waterfront

Diversity Our lives are made infinitely richer by the bonds we forge across communities and borders. Now more than ever, we must look to each other for strength, for dignity, inspiration, and for a brighter future to come. At Coffee By Design, it is our unwavering, ongoing belief and commitment that all are welcome at our table, and that we are stronger together.