The performance of "Ring of Keys" by Sydney Lucas from Fun Home was one of the most anticipated moments of the 2015 Tonys on June 7, but Fun Home had already made history on Broadway's big night. The Fun Home songwriters Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron became the first female team to win for the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) at the Tony Awards on CBS. It seems only fitting that the two women won since the new musical is based off of the autobiographical graphic novel by feminist Alison Bechdel (known for her Bechdel test in movies).
It's disheartening to know that the most liberal of the three main performance outlets (of film, TV, and stage) even struggles to give opportunities and honors to women. The last time two women were even recognized for this category was back in 1991 for Secret Garden. But rather than focus on the past, let's be thankful that the music by Tesori and the lyrics by Kron of Fun Home deservedly won at the 2015 Tony Awards. It's time to move over Rodgers and Hammerstein, Tesori and Kron are on the scene! (Well, the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein have passed away, but you know what I mean ... )
