Living Life to Its Fullest

Kimberly Akimbo

Are you looking for a musical that’s different from the typical theatre fare? In a world filled with shows that are either jukebox musicals or watered down versions of popular films, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, which is playing in Chicago for just two weeks, is something quite special. The musical is much loved by those who’ve seen it. With music by Jeanine Tesori (FUN HOME, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, SHREK) and a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire (SHREK, RABBIT HOLE, FUDDY MEERS), it’s a unique and highly recommended musical that’s both funny and heartbreaking. When KIMBERLY AKIMBO opened Off-Broadway, it won scores of awards; and when it moved to Broadway a year later, the show earned five Tony Awards, including Best Musical of 2022.

KIMBERLY AKIMBO tells the story of Kimberly Levaco, her schoolmates and her dysfunctional New Jersey family. Kim is a lonely teenager living with a very unusual disease called progeria. This rare progressive genetic disorder that causes a child to age rapidly, only occurs with 1 in 4 million newborns. Thus, although just a teenager, Kimberly has the physical appearance of a sixty-year-old woman. The girl’s mental development isn’t affected; in fact, she’s even a little above average. 

Kimberly’s aware that there’s no cure for her affliction, and understands that her life expectancy is typically around 16 years, although some patients have lived longer. Usually a child will die young, due to complications from heart disease. And although Kimberly’s also trying to cope with normal teenage problems, as well as situations that are unique to her own quirky family, she knows that her days on this earth are numbered. As a result, optimistic Kimberly tries to create a life for herself that’s worth living in the days or weeks she may have left. And this drive to be happy in the face of adversity, to live life to its fullest, is what makes this character and this musical so wonderful.

The National Tour is once again Directed with love and affection by Jessica Stone, who also guided the New York productions. She is, by the way, also the Director of the recent musical, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. While the original Broadway production starred the incomparable Victoria Clark, who went on to win a Tony for her portrayal of Kimberly, the Tour’s heroine is played by an equally fantastic and gifted Broadway star. Talented actor/singer Carolee Carmello is known for her exquisite performances in so many Broadway musicals. They include such incredible shows as PARADE, FINDING NEVERLAND, TUCK EVERLASTING, MAMMA MIA and THE ADDAMS FAMILY. In this challenging role, Ms. Carmello gives a powerfully nuanced performance that never turns into a caricature. She displays realistic teenage optimism and innocence that belies Kimberly’s adult appearance, but feels honest and truthful. Carolee Carmello, who has a crystalline singing voice, is one of the main reasons to see this production.

But there are also many excellent supporting performances provided by this gifted cast of actors. Seen on Broadway and/or National Tours of WICKED and WAITRESS, Emily Koch is a powerhouse as Kimberly’s Aunt Debra. She’s a woman who marches to the beat of her own drummer and believes that laws are simply suggestions. To survive, Debra has turned to all kinds of criminal activities. Her lawlessness even forced her pregnant sister, Pattie (nicely played by a delightful Laura Woyasz), her crude alcoholic brother-in-law, Buddy (played by Jim Hogan, who resembles a vintage Jim Belushi), to move away from their hometown and leave no forwarding address. Always providing the reliable comic element in this musical, Ms. Koch has a great belting singing voice and fantastic timing.

Kimberly’s high school friends are a lovable Nerd Squad, comprised of talented Grace Capeless (Delia), Skye Alyssa Friedman (Teresa), Darron Hayes (Martin) and Pierce Wheeler (Aaron), or as Debra bluntly labels them, “Gay, straight, gay, straight.” As passionate members of the high school show choir—especially Delia—the foursome are willing to do anything to earn enough money to buy some glitzy costumes for an upcoming music competition. 

But of all Kimberly’s high school acquaintances, the very talented Miguel Gil is the standout as affable, enthusiastic and earnest Seth. Obsessed with creating anagrams by using the letters of people’s names, Seth comes up with the titular, Kimberly Akimbo. Working at the local ice skating rink, and playing the tuba in the school band, Seth asks Kimberly to be his science partner for an oral presentation about a disease of their choice. When Seth suggests progeria, Kimberly is initially  reluctant, but then thinks they might actually shed some light on this little known affliction for her classmates.   

Having enjoyed KIMBERLY AKIMBO in New York, I can promise you that this National Tour is just as wonderful and rewarding an experience as the original production. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is a musical about a teenager who suffers from a little known condition, from which there’s no cure. It may not sound like a topic for a lighthearted  musical, but that’s what makes this show so special. The script explores so many important themes, such as growing up, growing old, dysfunctional families and finding happiness in the face of adversity. It’s a Tony Award-winning musical filled with quirky characters, broad humor, songs that make you sit up and listen and a life-affirming message that about living life to the fullest. Please, do yourself a favor—don’t miss this very special musical!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 11-22 by Broadway in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.