Theater openings: 'Fun Home,' 'The Landing'

Fun Home

Even if it does not ultimately move to Broadway, Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron's "Fun Home," based on Alison Bechdel's graphic novel, may prove to be the most beautiful and groundbreaking new musical of the season. It features a fascinating setup of an adult woman viewing herself as a child and teenager (three actresses are employed for this effect), terrific music by Tesori and multilayered performances from Michael Cerveris, Judy Kuhn and others.

Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., 212-967-7555, publictheater .org. Through Nov. 17.

The Landing

Veteran composer John Kander ("Chicago," "Cabaret"), whose partner Fred Ebb passed away in 2004, has now partnered up with lyricist-book writer Greg Pierce for this flimsy but heartfelt trio of family-oriented one-act musicals with a cast of four led by David Hyde Pierce. While the show fails to land, Kander, 86, deserves a lot of credit for his willingness to start from scratch with a new collaborator.

Vineyard Theatre, 108 E. 15th St., 212-353- 0303, vineyardtheatre.org. Through Nov. 24.