Joel Grey Says FUN HOME 'Strikes a Uniquely Personal Chord'

Joel Grey recently shared his admiration for FUN HOME the musical via a Huffington Post article, revealing that it deeply hits home for him.

"FUN HOME's story, as universal as it is, strikes a uniquely personal chord for me, as a dad who is also a gay man," says the Tony Award-winner, who will be introducing the cast's performance at tomorrow's Tony Awards ceremony with his daughter Jennifer.

"And like Alison's father, I grew up in a time when being openly gay was totally unacceptable and truly dangerous," Grey continues. "Both of us got married and raised children. But unlike the father in the play, I made a decision, after the end of my 24-year marriage, to reveal my true self to my friends and family, finding only love and acceptance. And, eventually, I was inspired to speak publicly and live a life without secrets.

In addition to his personal connection to the show, Grey also sees FUN HOME as important to the world today. "All great art is about unleashing a truth. FUN HOME speaks directly to the power of unleashing one's own truth. Win, lose or draw at Sunday's Tony Awards, FUN HOME is so much more than simply a landmark American musical; it is living tribute to the unstoppable force of human progress."

Based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home features music by five-time Tony Award nominee Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Lisa Kron, and direction by Tony Award nominee Sam Gold.

Fun Home introduces us to Alison at three different ages, revealing memories of her uniquely dysfunctional family - her mother, brothers and volatile, brilliant, enigmatic father - that connect with her in surprising new ways. This intimate and emotional theatrical experience is performed entirely in the round, bringing audiences closer to Alison's story than ever before. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize,Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

Fun Home is nominated for twelve 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Michael Cerveris), Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Beth Malone), Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Judy Kuhn), Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Sydney Lucas), Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Emily Skeggs), Best Direction of a Musical (Sam Gold), Best Book of a Musical (Lisa Kron), Best Score (Jeanine Tesoriand Lisa Kron), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Zinn), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Ben Stanton), and Best Orchestrations (John Clancy).