Ring of Keys (from "Fun Home") - 2014 Drama Desk Awards

[@Shweiss4]

The song is stunning, but this little girl's acting combined with the song gives me CHILLS. She's really a great actress who goes on a huge journey in these few minutes.

[@JAHinHK]

Props to the pianist. He s really digging it.

[@zappasgal2005]

Used to be a grade school music teacher and when I see a child like this sing-so beautifully and in the natural voice she should use instead of the "pop star" kids, I cry. Truly beautiful and amazing. It's so angelic to hear and loved watching her on the Tony's! So glad this musical won...so glad because my 14 year old granddaughter just came out this year as lesbian. She has the woma who wrote this book to look up to and guide her!

[@lyricrogersofficial]

I agree

[@anthonyhenrysmith]

Lyric S. Rogers she is 24 yrs old AMAZING!

[@gomezadim9638]

zappasgal2005 I agree, I love her voice and her interpretation of the song is mesmerizing. Not a show I had any interest whatsoever in seeing but now my interest is a bit peaked.

[@sparklemotion1013]

Anthony Smith Who is 24 years old?

[@micaelaackermann]

Why don't you focus less on how you think it's not appropriate for her to sing, and focus more and this girls amazing talent!

[@tmystery9505]

What it's like to look up to a butch lesbian and understanding who you are. It's beautiful and very relatable to me.

[@allisonryder-holtz8001]

I cried so much watching this! My husband was a very butch lesbian. We were only married for 5 years before she died. Me? I'm amazed that she chose and loved me...I'm a transexual woman (no surgeries but on HRT) and so...blessed, so lucky that I had those few years with my husband. 2 1/2 years and I'm still mourning, still hurting.

[@NatureFantasy8]

@@allisonryder-holtz8001 I'm so sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.

[@agonistes06]

absolutely. as it happens, i'd grow up chasing butches.

[@HLSims]

She was roughly eleven or twelve when she did this. This beautiful, amazing performance. Her understanding of acting and her character would be remarkable at any age, especially at eleven. Well done, Sydney. Well done.

[@QuikVidGuy]

Child roles are always such a shame because you see how much someone like Sydney is really refining and growing into the character and score over time and you don't want to think about how in a couple years she'll be too old for the part

[@kaitlinslover639]

STOOOPP

[@EamonWill]

That happens with every role. Sure, it happens faster with kids, but it's not a bad thing. No one can play one role their whole life. They shouldn't either! Every new role is a chance to learn and grow as an actor/actress and a person.

[@cam3051]

Macaroni and Cliches But then she can play an older Alison in a revival!!!

[@Yuri_Studio]

This song is the most exceptional piece I have heard in years. The awakening of "identity" is exactly how (and about when) I remember it. Lucas was even better when I saw her perform this during the show.

[@Wisher_]

She totally earned that tony nomination. I really love this song and Sydney Lucas is amazing in the role of Alison. Bechdel is amazing and I loved fun home the novel. I hope this wins tony for best new musical

[@imjustsayyyin]

THEY JUST WON BEST MUSICAL!!!!

[@ekwrocks]

imjustsayyyin just saw this on the tony's, this girl is so talented!! think she sung it better tonight, lol. but both amazing renditions!

[@SG-dq7rt]

So deserved, man. I mean, there was really nothing else that could have been chosen over this.

[@Caribloo]

I was working for Public Theatre when this was being workshopped there. Sydney had originated this role, and I cannot imagine anyone else doing as superb a job as she did! She is one to watch, and most definitely a Broadway (and off-) star in the making. She is an absolute sweetheart off-stage. She deserves nothing but good things!

[@genevievepfister4929]

Absolutely spectacular song & performance! Finding out there was a musical theatre song about a young girl looking up to a butch lesbian and feeling seen made me emotional enough to fall in love with musical theatre all over again, but this young lady's live performance of it made it that much more moving! Bravo all the way around!

[@metrogurrl]

Just saw this in previews last night at the CIrcle in the Square theater. Absolutely loved it and this has to be my favorite song which is why I'm on here right now as I've been listening to it all day! This little gal has a bright future ahead of her.

[@mikeyca]

metrogurrl So glad you got to see it! I finally get to see it on June 1 and cannot wait!

[@teganbigone2366]

Just watched Sydney's performance of this song at the Tonys tonight. I had never heard it before, but I thought she had the best performance of the night. She is a wonderful singer. It was even better than this youtube performance.

[@oliviasam4371]

Agreed she was really good but I saw it on TV

[@oliviasam4371]

Now I really want to see fun home

[@teganbigone2366]

I didn't think I'd want to see FUN HOME. I should never have judged this "book" by its cover! Now I definitely want to see this!!!

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I just discovered this play last night through Allison Bechdel's website, and I CANNOT stop listening to the songs! I just *love* this song, Changing My Major to Joan and Telephone Wire! I really hope it does well on Broadway so it can get some kind of nationwide tour! I'd love to see it in my hometown of San Diego! I'm even going to see if I can buy a copy of the book to whet my appetite!

[@markkessinger6096]

I saw it in late 2013 in its off-Broadway run at the Public Theater here in NYC. Truly, it was one of the most extraordinary theater experiences I have ever had. And yes, this number is but one of the shows many gems. This number, with is lyrics and staggered, syncopated musical phrasing (speaking as a musician here) manages to capture, in all its sweetness and innocence, the breathless excitement of that first rush of adolescent sexual awakening. And Sydney Lucas simply steals your heart. I should add that seeing the show was, for me, doubly surreal. You see, I grew up in the same tiny Pennsylvania as did Alison Bechdel. And I personally knew all of the real people who were being portrayed on stage. Alison is a year older than me. Her father, Bruce, was one of my high school English teachers )and a brilliant one at that, I might add). For several summers, I worked alongside her mother in theater productions at a local summer stock theater. And the older of her two brothers was in my Boy Scout troop when I was a kid. BTW, if you haven''t yet read the book on which the show is based, Alison Bechdel's "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic," it is a must-read!

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Mark Kessinger That is awesome!! I'm so jealous you got to see it on stage! I actually did read the first two chapters of the book when I was at Barnes and Noble this past weekend. Couldn't put it down! But I sadly couldn't afford it at the time. I'll have to ask for it as a gift when my birthday comes around in July!

[@galelynsullivan3802]

Piano with voice is incredible.

[@madsokay]

this is such a beautiful song. i’ve never heard anything that so accurately portrays an exact experience of mine like this and it gives me chills every time. it’s such a gift that this musical exists ♥️

[@OutGayMusic]

Thank you for posting this. It's great to know I'm not the only one who adores this song, feels it's the best stand-alone song it the show. One thing, a mistake I too have been making out of habit is to call Fun Home a graphic novel. But it's a graphic memoir - it's autobiographical, not fiction, not a novel. Not a great term, graphic memoir is. Wordsmiths, have at it!

[@pina6138]

Cómic. It's called a comic

[@lillystrauss1215]

juan peña a comic is a graphic novel. An autobiographical comic is a graphic memoir

[@pina6138]

Lilly Strauss graphic novel is a silly term used to dismiss comics as low-culture while making an exception (the one being called a graphic novel)

[@danic5487]

Sydney is a star! :') made me cry. and FUN HOME is wow!! :)

[@dovadude29]

Dani C saw this on the tonys the other day. beautiful song

[@danic5487]

Hunter Hurst Same! *-* She gave me chills!! This girl will be amazing in the future

[@dovadude29]

Dani C dude this needs to be all over the world, we need more of this. for instance im in Ohio and love Broadway, i want this to go coast to coast

[@danic5487]

I'm from Portugal dude! XD Broadway is my life!!! *-*

[@dovadude29]

Dani C we need our share of broadway

[@natahichkn]

Congrats to Sidney for her Tony nomination!

[@sammy-castro26]

natahichkn it is sydney

[@tjizzleone]

2015 Tony Award for Best Musical. I guarantee it!

[@mikeyca]

God I hope so!

[@Athespian128]

Jackpot

[@EmEmProductions07]

Justin Grant You guessed it!!

[@saschahoupt6177]

Bang on!

[@1mrcomix8]

I hope this is HUGELY successful! This is one of my all time favorite graphic novels!

[@princess.blumarine111]

I can't listen to this rendition enough. this song

[@mrjasonshipp]

This is still my favorite version of this song.

[@jimtomik7728]

ridiculously talented!!! Ok I am listening a second time...

[@randomperson5791]

Jim Tomik How about seventh?

[@JoGrazide]

This song still makes me tear up. It is so poignant. Singing along.

[@avad.4370]

I first saw this on the Tony's last night, and I was blown away by Sydney and her beautiful talent. This song has been in my head all day.

[@sebastian122]

When she started singing this, and got to the keys, I had a laugh. By the end, I was a sloppy mess of tears. Amazing play, beginning to end.

[@kb2885]

What a phenomenal little actress! And that voice!

[@kaisun2222]

Her acting and angelic voice give me chills every time. Such a talented child

[@chaneltan4976]

Best young Alison ever 😍

[@kimberlysommers2124]

I'm a straight femme woman but this song and performance brings me to tears every time. It's timeless and beautiful. Who could not appreciate the discovery of your identify and feeling not so alone all of a sudden? I can only imagine how touching it is to a lesbian woman.

[@becca191]

[ALISON] You didn't notice her at first, but I saw her the moment she walked in She was a delivery woman She came in with a hand cart full of packages She was an old-school butch [SMALL ALISON] Someone just came in the door Like no one I ever saw before I feel... I feel... I don't know where you came from I wish I did I feel so dumb I feel... Your swagger and your bearing And the just right clothes you're wearing Your short hair and your dungarees And your lace up boots And your keys, oh Your ring of keys I thought it was s'pposed to be wrong But you seem okay with being strong I want...to... You're so... It's probably conceited to say But I think we're alike in a certain way I...um... Your swagger and your bearing And the just right clothes you're wearing Your short hair and your dungarees And your lace up boots And your keys, oh Your ring of keys Do you feel my heart saying "hi"? In this whole luncheonette Why am I the only one who sees you're beautiful? No, I mean... Handsome! Your swagger and your bearing And the just right clothes you're wearing Your short hair and your dungarees And your lace up boots And your keys, oh Your ring of keys I know you I know you I know you

[@judestfil]

Didn’t think this would make me cry when my friend sent it to me

[@coryzlife]

Watching this 9 years late for an audition......

[@ozianpunkat]

Totally had this moment when u was in 2nd grade and a saw a bunch of goth kids at the high school one night when my drama club did a series of sketches with the help of the highschool drama department....life changing

[@Chloe-kw5ic]

evermore91 ....being goth is in no way comparable to being butch

[@ashleighbennett2823]

This is amazing I can't stop watching it!! This needs to come to the UK!!

[@AvalonMorley]

I love this song, and this performance, and this whole score. Damn, I'd love to see this show. Don't know exactly what's next for it, but I hope one way or another we'll get to see it in Dallas before very long. Or is the possibility of Broadway still alive? Seems unlikely, but I'd love it, for Broadway's sake. If not that, then, for us in N. Texas, preferably Dallas Theater Center, Uptown Players (how about a co-production?), or WaterTower Theatre might do it. I wonder what's happening with the rights to it. Ah well.

[@mikeyca]

I love the show too. They're eyeing a Broadway run for the 2014-15 season, so let's cross our fingers!

[@AvalonMorley]

mikeyeeca Thanks for the news; I hope it happens, and that I can save up enough to be able to come up there and see it. Seems like there's some exciting stuff coming up for Broadway. I'm really interested in HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, though I've still never seen the movie; it's mostly because of JRB, positive responses to the Papermill run, the cast, and the fact that it just looks like a show with lots of potential for big, splashy, potentially commercially popular fun. It would be nice to have a widely popular, successful show with songs by Mr. Brown on Broadway. I forget now what other things sounded intriguing, other than the SIDE SHOW revival, which looks very promising in the montage clip I saw. Oh, and also the next attempt at an ON THE TOWN revival that would be both financially and critically successful (that seems to be a show that's difficult to get quite right, but I've adored the score since I was about 12). And wasn't there talk of an ON THE 20th CENTURY revival? That's another one I'd love to see, especially if it has an orchestra, cast, and production worthy of the score. Though, now that I think of it, I read that Kristin Chenoweth was the planned Lily, an idea of which I'm not sure I'm fond. Anyway, I've gone off on a tangent. Thanks again.

[@sian666]

Absolutely bawling my eyes out. I would love to see this musical!

[@laurenreamy]

Such incredible acting

[@caseypartytime]

this is a touching moving song

[@robertkirby4668]

So, so good.

[@morales5691]

I'm really good friends with friends with Sydney she's really caring and sweet

[@strawberryspice6168]

Wow just wow that is amazing and my friend cerys sang ring of keys in my school talent show in alto Michigan. When I seen this bidoe I was like really wowed

[@ruthgunneson-poling2477]

Thank you Amy Goodman for featuring the author of this amazing story.

[@dottie1919]

There seems to have been quite an argument about what this song is about from below. I just watched the number, excellent, and my impression that whatever symbol the keys meant it is simply a young lesbian girl recognizing in another woman, described as somewhat masculine or butch, someone she relates to, who might understand her. Not rocket science here. Krot - you need another hobby.

[@QuikVidGuy]

Okay but the fact that the keys are a central focus is what people are confused about. Why are the keys so important in this image? Well, if you grew up or were a young adult in the 70s, you'd know a key ring on the belt of a butch woman was a deliberate sign of her sexuality. If not, you'd start imagining symbols of unlocking or of self-reliance or community, due to thinking of the woman as an individual without the context of knowing the meaning of the prop. And even if you managed to find it after an hour of google like I did, you'd probably have no idea the subtler connotations or how it came to be such a signal or how more moderate or femme lesbians noticed it and treated butches. So yeah, in a way it is kind of rocket science.

[@vikablaire3528]

@@QuikVidGuy Also a child's eyes would be drawn to keys because they're shiny and at a child's eye level

[@elliecole9248]

@@vikablaire3528 Thats what the writers said, too.

[@keara.ls3]

I’m in college rn, where we’re doing a 24 hour musical of the little mermaid and this song decided to pop in my head. And now I’m trying to get it out. Not because I don’t love it, because I do, but because Fun Home is really not the vibe I need for the little mermaid 😂😅😭😭

[@DavidDougherty99]

Wonderful

[@lauraauer2754]

Breaks me every time

[@rachel4457]

why am i SOBBING rn

[@jessetarzwell6427]

great job

[@molblargio]

Sydney is going to be one incredible Mary Lennox :)

[@jonlittell]

awesome... to the song I would say: I know you, too!

[@jamiesiple7703]

just seen on musical website i have to found the song

[@purpleness64]

I remembered this song while attending an Understanding LGBTQ identities the facilitator really wanted to find out which song this was. Can't wait to tell them!

[@Diamondelight92]

This song just hits different when Sydney sings it

[@ellenbruckermarshall4179]

Keys represent power. Libretto writers need to include sources of a character’s longing for power.

[@mysterioussquirrel4456]

Bravo.

[@CinLightweaver]

Thanks to Liam Obrien’s signal boost for introducing this to me

[@gavincampbell8037]

I have the full show on my channel.

[@oliviamadison02]

i want to use this song for an audition, but I cant find a karaoke version!

[@mikeyca]

+Olivia Roberts If you want to use it for a theatre audition, you probably want the sheet music, not karaoke (unless the place you're auditioning for specifically says it's okay to use a backing track).

[@oliviamadison02]

+mikeyeeca ok...thank you!

[@mackenzietrush1264]

You can get the sheet music from Samuel French!

[@waynegreen6133]

sheetmusic

[@Subconscious_San]

Why does she remind me of Hayley Williams from Paramore?

[@toreadorrivera4708]

IKR?!

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

No dislikes.

[@curtisprod]

Anyone know the Pianist's name? Great song, singer & piano.

[@mikeyca]

I believe that's Fun Home's music director Chris Fenwick.

[@curtisprod]

mikeyeeca Tx

[@calisson47]

💗💗💗

[@Golden_22]

I need help what are 16 bars from this song

[@laynamorgan2767]

What is this song about? Like what is ring of keys?? It's so good though keeps getting stuck in my head but can anyone explain the song to me please

[@jenniferlamont7460]

It's about a young girl seeing a butch lesbian for the first time and recognizing her own sexuality

[@ruthcordle7939]

Good song ok 😀

[@davidvisoky7918]

wow

[@rastalove6268]

I'm here from the shot out on Jeopardy.

[@EamonWill]

What is the significance of the keys? I have theories, but I still feel like I'm missing something... :(

[@sapphicsophie5893]

William Eamon Most women use purses to carry their keys but butch women typically keep them on rings.

[@aster7159]

what the other comment said + keys could be seen as symbolic of power and freedom, able to lock or unlock doors

[@sliceofbread6929]

Beautiful... No, I mean *handsome* !

[@piedpiperyouththeater8150]

Ok I’ll be there but don’t be too late to come to see Spelling Bee

[@taylortrogdon3825]

What happened to her face when she was singing 🎤?

[@Isa-qz9mb]

I think your asking where her microphone is. It's teh side of her face if you look closely enough.

[@piedpiperyouththeater8150]

You’ll be back in the 7th next year I’ll come try something out for tomorrow morning or night or Saturday or Friday or Sunday

[@alexavasicek453]

What's this song about?

[@webkinzfan00]

+Violet Shaw It's about the girl, who's discovering her sexuality, singing an ode to a lesbian she sees in a diner, if I remember correctly.

[@landaloo7109]

Dank memes

[@Chloe-kw5ic]

Alexa V a young lesbian sees a butch woman for the first time and realizes she can be, and is, butch

[@anthropoidamid1628]

#inspiration

[@fuckoff8038]

What's fun home about

[@huihuiteng9122]

Can someone please tell me who is the pianist?

[@mikeyca]

Chris Fenwick.

[@nexususer4343]

Chris Fenwick was the music director, and played keyboards in the orchestra, for the Fun Home musical dating back to its Off Broadway start at the Public Theater in New York.

[@exnihilo8933]

your DUNGAREES

[@dsmproductionsofficial131]

Is that her own hair

[@Isa-qz9mb]

Yes

[@drawingdingus6863]

What's so important about the keys though?

[@Isa-qz9mb]

She's saying that the butch lesbian has a ring of keys instead of something that's considered more feminine like a purse. It's kind of a symbol of recognizing who you are.

[@DeathGodRiku]

So strange to see Sydney with long hair

[@wodzisawbuszcz-krzyzanowsk141]

Some people ask what this song is about and what is the ring of keys exactly. The "Ring of Keys" is a reference to the so-called "Lesbian Hanky Code" or "Bandana Code": Hankies are usually worn in either the back left or right pockets, however, they can also be worn around the wrist, around the ankle or leg at the thigh above the knee, or around the neck with the knot/tie going either right or left. Other objects can also be used such as keys and key chains or watch fobs and even a set of handcuffs (Bondage), to let people know if you are ‘top’ or ‘bottom’. Left = Top/Active Right = Bottom/Passive If worn in the back on the center belt loop, it translates as ‘versatile’. I don't think it's a particularly appropriate song for an 11-year old child to sing.

[@mikeyca]

You're incorrect. The keys have nothing to do with the hanky code among gay men. In the graphic memoir, young Alison is noticing details about this butch delivery woman, and the novel makes a passing mention of noticing the woman's keys. The song was written in a way that would reflect the thinking of someone as they take notice of someone who sparks one's interest.

[@wodzisawbuszcz-krzyzanowsk141]

mikeyeeca Yeah, and Puff in "Puff the magic dragon" is the name of the boy's magical dragon, any semblance to the slang expression to recreational marijuana use being completely incidental and irrelevant.

[@mikeyca]

Krot, you have no idea what you're talking about, and just because you keep repeating it doesn't make it true.

[@wodzisawbuszcz-krzyzanowsk141]

***** Why don't YOU take two seconds to look it up and find dozens of hits like this one: lesbianhandbook.net/definitions.html "keys--worn dangling from a belt loop, keys signify (in an appropriate context) that the person is into BDSM. As with the hanky code, someone with "keys left" is a top, and "keys right" is a bottom." In regard to my Magic Dragon reference--I was quoting De Niro quote from Meet the Parents. If you honestly believe that PPM were clueless about the possible interpretation of this song, you must be an extremely naive individual. Did you believe Axl Rose when he swore that "One in a Million" is not racist or homophobic, too? Same goes for the "Ring of Keys"--a bad inside joke played at the expense of this talented child and her young audiences.

[@wodzisawbuszcz-krzyzanowsk141]

mikeyeeca Sorry to rain on your pride parade, but people aren't always what they seem to be. One thing for sure--this song would be most definitely banned in Russia.

[@robrobbins]

Kind of creepy seeing a little girl sing about a butch lesbian.

[@midoa2]

robrobbins hm, no mate, this is a sweet coming of age song where a little girl is singing about a crush, if you think that's creepy there is a chance you might be homophobic

[@vikablaire3528]

What's creepy about seeing the adult you see yourself becoming?

[@nexususer4343]

It's not a love song or crush song, but a song of self discovery. Sydney L. discussed this in a recent interview. It took Tesori and Kron five years and 50 rewrites to create the Fun Home musical, it is a work of genius.

[@mackobalt2630]

Well lesbians and musicals the 2 things I love to hate yeees I love this

[@liesljones5987]

Typical off-Broadway atonal nonsense -complete with clichéd lyrics about lesbians. Tesori is this generation's Liz Swados -dealing with Big Problems in an unoriginal way.

[@mikeyca]

LieslJones59 Let's assume that your comment isn't just one of those typical KZbin troll post and that you truly feel this way. First, I don't think you really understand what "atonal" is, but that's okay. Second, I'm not sure how lyrics about a young girl's awakening by seeing herself in a butch lesbian can be called cliche (this isn't a love song, contrary to what some people thing at first). And Tesori is anything BUT unoriginal. If you think she is, please study her score for "Caroline, or Change" or even just her work here for "Fun Home" and how she's really turned the form of a classic musical on its head.

[@mikeyca]

Please excuse the typos...for some reason I can't go back and edit my comment.

[@Isa-qz9mb]

You obviously haven't seen the entire musical