Character guide
Joan
from Fun Home
Joan is Alison's college girlfriend in Fun Home, Jeanine Tesori's 2015 musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir.
- Show
- Fun Home
- Broadway premiere
- 2015
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Jeanine Tesori
Who is Joan?
Joan is a confident, self-assured fellow student who becomes Alison's first serious romantic relationship, helping her step into her identity as a lesbian with far more ease than Alison initially expects. Their relationship marks a turning point in the show, arriving alongside Alison's decision to come out to her parents.
Joan's steadiness and openness stand in deliberate contrast to the secrecy that defined Bruce's life, giving Alison a model for living honestly that her father never had access to.
Joan's role in Fun Home
Joan is a supporting role in Fun Home, appearing during the college-set sections of the show as Alison's relationship and self-understanding develop. The role calls for a warm, confident performer who can serve as a grounding presence opposite Alison's growing self-discovery.
Audiences remember Joan as part of one of the show's more joyful stretches, offering a rare note of uncomplicated happiness within a story largely concerned with grief and secrecy.
Joan: frequently asked questions
What show is Joan from?
Joan is a supporting character in Fun Home, which opened on Broadway in 2015.
Is Joan a lead or supporting role?
Joan is a supporting role, Alison's girlfriend during her college years.
Who wrote the music for Fun Home?
Jeanine Tesori composed the music, with a book and lyrics by Lisa Kron.
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