“Kimberly Akimbo” Is a Show with Heart and Humor
I didn’t know what to expect when I went to Celebrity Attractions’ “Kimberly Akimbo” at the Tulsa PAC. Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, I wanted to take advantage of seeing the Broadway touring production. Could a musical about a teenager with a genetic, progressive aging disease be entertaining? It was! And I would even call it uplifting and heartwarming.
The acting was strong with a surprisingly small cast for a Broadway musical (not that I’m an expert on Broadway musicals, but the ones I’ve seen have much larger casts with big musical numbers). Delia (Grace Capeless), Martin (Darron Hayes), Teresa (Skye Alyssa Friedman) and Aaron (Pierce Wheeler) are a delight as the hopeful, innocent kids who want to win the New Jersey state choral contest with their Motown numbers – if only they could get the sparkly costumes. They’re so engaging, I didn’t want this ensemble to ever be off stage.
Ann Morrison and Miguel Gil In The National Tour Of “Kimberly Akimbo.” Photo By Joan Marcus
The true loners in story are Seth (Miguel Gil) and Kimberly (Ann Morrison). Seth’s mother is dead and his father is completely checked out. The ever-cheerful Seth finds some solace in his trombone, which adds a touch of humor to the melancholy song “Good Boy.”
Kimberly, despite her aging body and dysfunctional parents, is upbeat, kind and believable as a 16-year-old girl. She and Seth form a bond and, as weird as it may seem with their physical age difference, successfully pull off first-crush vibes in a sweet, awkward way.
When Debra (Emily Koch), Kimberly’s manipulative (and criminal) aunt comes to town, the teens are pulled into her illegal scheme with the promise of fulfilling their dreams. The chorus will have money to buy costumes and Kimberly will be able to take a road trip with her parents just like a regular family. Emily Koch’s acting is funny and her singing voice is perfect for this bossy part.
Emily Koch (Center) And Company In The National Tour Of “Kimberly Akimbo.” Photo By Joan Marcus
It was made evident in the first act that most people with Kimberly’s “disease” (it is fictional and just called the “disease”) don’t make past their sixteenth birthday. I wondered how the bittersweet first act could be followed by a possible death in the second act.
I won’t tell you what happens, but I left the theater with a feeling of hopefulness and warmth. The dysfunctional parents sort of tried to pull themselves together for Kimberly. You have a sense that they’re in denial, but Kimberly needs them to “see” her, as we all need to be seen for what we are.
Being seen and understood was Kimberly’s connection to Seth. He accepted her and enjoyed her company. They’re interactions were quirky, funny and touching.
If you’re like me, you may wonder how a show about the imminent death of a young person can be the stuff of a humorous Broadway show. Adolescence is an intense coming of age time in a person’s life with all the awkwardness, warmth, hopefulness and brave naivete about the world. Kimberly Akimbo embodies those deep, conflicting emotions – the heartbreak, the joy and the excitement. The humanity of all the characters in “Kimberly Akimbo” shine through the melancholy and inevitable loss that we know is coming. Isn’t that what life is about – somehow finding connection and ways to celebrate despite the bad things that will inevitably happen to us? Shouldn’t we end up like Kimberly – living life to the fullest while we can?
“Kimberly Akimbo” is not for children. It deals with alcoholism, death, dysfunction and adolescent themes. Young people ages 13 and older would probably enjoy the performance and would connect with the teenage characters.
“Kimberly Akimbo” is showing through Sept. 7. For tickets, go to celebrityattractions.com.
