Directing and choreographing such a stunning work of art, as Fun Home is, is reward enough. But to direct the regional theatre premiere of it? Even better. But here's the once-in-a-lifetime part: Millbrook Playhouse is in the town where Alison Bechdel grew up. The ramifications of being in the community where our real-life protagonist set her epic story--this is literally the theatre where Helen Bechdel had performed many times and Bruce was on the board--is a dramaturgical dream like none other. We rented out the Bechdel home (on Maple Avenue) for three days and nights. We slept there, we ate there, and we rehearsed there (we performed the trio scene in the actual three rooms and put the piano in the hallway). That said, the challenges were as vast as the perks. This is a rural and conservative town in Pennsylvania and each citizen had their view on Alison and what happened with Bruce. Needless to say, not everyone's perspective on the story was the same as Alison's (and trust me, I know this because I talked to them). Our mission as a creative team was to tell the truth of this story and for it to do what stories do best: elicit empathy and understanding that may not have otherwise been there. Alison came home to see one of the performances, and while by and large the entire crowd was incredibly gracious and inspired, there was one man who, at the talkback Bechdel agreed to give after the show, shouted brusquely and out of turn from the back, "Are you happy to be home?" Alison dryly and wittily replied something to the effect of, "As you know, my choice was to move away, if that clues you in to my answer." That was another moment where it was clear to me just how much we need to tell stories like Fun Home and in towns like Alison's hometown.