Rebecca Luker to step in for Judy Kuhn in Fun Home

It has been announced that three-time Tony nominee Rebecca Luker will step in for four-time nominee Judy Kuhn as Helen Bechdel in the 2015 Tony Award-winning best musical Fun Home from 5 April to 22 May 2016 at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre. Ms Kuhn is set to undergo hip surgery and is scheduled to return to the cast on 24 May 2016.

She released the following statement:

"This hip surgery is something I've needed to do for a long time. I'm so thrilled that Rebecca is stepping in for me - she's a dear friend, and I admire her work so much. And I can't wait to return to the show pain-free and with a new hip!"

The full cast of Fun Home currently includes two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris (Bruce Bechdel), four-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Helen Bechdel), Tony nominee Beth Malone (Alison), Lauren Patten (Medium Alison), Gabriella Pizzolo (Small Alison), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Zell Steele Morrow (John), Joel Perez (Roy) and Oscar Williams (Christian), along with ensemble members Alessandra Baldacchino, Kally Duling, Presley Ryan, Perry Sherman, Jim Stanek, and Nicole Van Giesen.

Fun Home officially opened to rave reviews on 22 April 2015, following previews from 4 April, and is currently booking through to 9 October 2016.

The musical, which features music by Tony winner Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Tony winner Lisa Kron, was originally produced by The Public Theater in October 2013, where it extended its limited run three times due to popular demand. During both its Broadway and off-Broadway tenures it has picked up five Tony Awards in 2015 (including Best Musical), as well as OBIE, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle and Off Broadway Alliance Awards in the 2013-2014 season. The show was also a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Synopsis: "Fun Home is based on Alison Bechdel's autobiographical, best-selling graphic novel. After her father dies unexpectedly, Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family's Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father's hidden desires."

Directed by Tony winner Sam Gold, the creative team behind the musical features choreography by Danny Mefford, set and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Kai Harada and musical direction by Chris Fenwick.

Fun Home is produced on Broadway by Fox Theatricals and Barbara Whitman.