Introducing the cast of "Fun Home"
We launched rehearsals for Fun Home on Tuesday and I thought it would be fun to introduce you to the cast with photos taken by me!
The story centers around Alison Bechdel, the lesbian graphic artist, and in the musical the character is played by three different actresses representing three different ages.
 | Aida Valentine (Small Alison) is a Portland native who was most recently seen in Flora and Ulysses and James and the Giant Peach at Oregon Children’s Theatre; she was last seen onstage here at The Armory in Our Town. She has also performed with NW Children’s Theater, Lakewood, Stumptown Stages and Portland Opera. |
 | Sara Masterson plays Alison as a college freshman (Medium Alison) and grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from the musical theater program at Baldwin-Wallace College. Favorite roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Joanna Wilkes in Big River and Sorel in Hay Fever. |
 | Allison Mickelson plays adult Alison and grew up in Pierre, South Dakota (which she taught us to pronounce correctly as ‘Pier’). In addition to performing in musical theater (favorites including Ragtime, Mame and Damn Yankees), Allison teaches yoga and art, conducts choirs, and is the art and worship liaison for the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village. |
 | Much of the play centers on Alison’s attempt to understand her complicated relationship with her father. Robert Mammana, who you’ll remember as Sky Masterson in our production of Guys and Dolls and Father in Ragtime, plays Bruce, the Dad. You may have seen Robert on The Good Wife, The Office, Elementary, or if you were lucky, Days of Our Lives. But you could also have seen him in the National Tours of Showboat or The Sound of Music, or on Broadway in Les Miserables. He was also a police officer for the city of Los Angeles for four years. |
 | Faith Sandberg (Helen, Alison's mom) grew up outside of D.C. and then Utah, and studied at Webster Conservatory and then the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. You may have seen her on Boardwalk Empire, Quantico or The Following. Favorite roles include Molly in Peter and The Starcatcher, Sophia in Tom Jones, Coco in Miss Saigon and Roxy in Chicago. |
 | Kristen DiMercurio, plays Joan (the girl Alison falls for) and is a recent graduate of Emerson College in Boston. Favorite roles include Christina in Fefu and Her Friends, Ellen/Victoria in Cloud 9, Patty in Grease and Sara in Murder Ballad. |
 | Joe Knispel plays Roy, Mark, Pete and Bobby Jeremy and hails from Nebraska (and is a serious Cornhuskers fan). Joe trained at the Asolo/Florida State Conservatory and has enjoyed roles in The Grapes of Wrath, Oklahoma! (Curly), Twelfth Night, Ah, Wilderness and All The Way. |
 | Karsten George is a Portland native and plays Alison’s older brother, Christian. Most recently he played Pugsley in The Addams Family at Broadway Rose, Young Guido in Nine at Lakewood Theater, and Megatroid the Elf in Peppermint Bear. He has been a featured soloist with the Portland Boychoir and Pacific Youth Choir. |
 | Theo Curl plays Alison’s younger brother, John, and is also from Portland. Favorite recent roles include the Egyptian Mummy in Dig It, the Musical at Ridgewood Elementary; and Hansel in Castletales at NW Children’s Theater. |
 | Alexa Shaheen (Small Alison Understudy) is a 13-year-old eighth grader at Lakeridge Junior High. She's recently performed in Portland Opera's Tosca and The Magic Flute, Lady Larken in Once Upon a Mattress at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts and Tina Denmark in Ruthless! The Musical for Stumptown Stages, and several roles at Lakewood Theatre Company. |
Here we go.
C
More about Fun Home:
"Fun Home" Inspired Art
Inspired by cartoonist Alison Bechdel, we partnered with Helioscope and invited local cartoonists and illustrators to watch Fun Home.
Reviews of "Fun Home"
"The show packs a satisfying emotional punch without tying everything up with a bow. It’s beautiful and messy and complex. Just like our families."
Chris Coleman on "Fun Home"
"The music is gorgeous." Director Chris Coleman talks casting, an elegant scenic design and why he loves Fun Home so much.
"Fun Home" Cast and Creative Team
Learn about the dynamite cast and creative team we've assembled for Fun Home.
Current & Upcoming
Grand Gesture Books Presents: Sarah Beth Durst in Conversation with Sarah Hawley
Grand Gesture Books is so excited to partner with Portland Center Stage to welcome Sarah Beth Durst to Portland, Oregon for the Sea of Charms tour! She will be joined in conversation by Sarah Hawley, author of The Shards of Magic series. Every $50 ticket comes bundled with a hardcover copy of Sea of Charms. Everyone who attends this event must have a ticket. This book event will include an audience Q&A and an optional photo and signing line. There will be additional signed back stock from both authors to purchase from Grand Gesture on site.
Grand Gesture Books Presents: Emily Rath in Conversation with Naomi Lucas
Grand Gesture Books is so excited to partner with Portland Center Stage to welcome Emily Rath back to Portland, Oregon for the Devour Me tour! She will be joined in conversation by Naomi Lucas. Every $45 ticket comes bundled with a pre-signed deluxe copy of Devour Me. Everyone who attends this event must have a ticket. This book event will include an audience Q&A and an optional photo and signing line. There will be additional signed back stock from both authors to purchase from Grand Gesture on site.
Grand Gesture Books Presents: Tarah DeWitt in conversation with Sarah Estep
Grand Gesture Books is so excited to partner with Portland Center Stage to welcome USA Today bestselling author Tarah DeWitt to Portland, Oregon for her Lost and Found tour! She will be joined in conversation by Sarah Estep, local powerhouse and author of the forthcoming Who Needs Mistletoe? out in September. Every $40 ticket comes bundled with a pre-signed deluxe copy of Lost and Found. Everyone who attends this event must have a ticket. This book event will include an audience Q&A and an optional photo and signing line. There will be additional signed back stock from the authors to purchase from Grand Gesture on site. We will have some on hand. Masks are recommended, but not required to attend.
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
PCS Movie Night: The 28 Year & 3 Week Anniversary Screening of The Parent Trap
The next installment of our Odd Anniversary series is the 28 Year & 3 Week Anniversary of The Parent Trap. Join us for a fun filled evening with live activities in our Lobby inspired by the film, like: Fencing from North West Fencing Center, Poker w/ Aaron Peterson of local Pop Sensation New Body Electric & more. All of that + a post show Q&A w/ Erin Mackey, the Hallie/Annie acting double!
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Portland. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at The Armory - Portland under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
Season Superstars
Season Supporting Sponsors
