REVIEW: As time goes by, ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ proves to be wonderful
Photo: Victoria Clark stars in the title role in Kimberly Akimbo, a new musical. Photo courtesy of Ahron R. Foster / Provided by BBB with permission.
NEW YORK — Kimberly Akimbo, the new Atlantic Theater Company musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori, is a wholly enjoyable and quietly moving show about a high school student from New Jersey who has a rare genetic condition that causes her to age faster than her peer group. While her colleagues at school are enjoying the teenage life, Kimberly (an exquisite Victoria Clark) is facing an uncertain future and a life expectancy that’s almost up.
Kimberly has decided to live her life with kindness and fulfillment, even if the occasional bout of loneliness overcomes her. She has a rough home life, with two parents (Steven Boyer and Alli Mauzey) who struggle with their own obstacles and pay more attention to their new-baby-to-come rather than their teenage daughter who is looking for a friend. When Kimberly’s aunt (Bonnie Milligan) comes into the picture, the family is turned upside down. This outsider/insider is a career antagonist who has served time in jail and is always cooking up a new scheme for easy cash.
The only solace Kimberly can find in life is with Seth (Justin Cooley), the only person who seems to be genuine and nice to her. They meet in school, and Seth also works at the local ice rink, a teenager hangout in this part of Bergen County, circa 1999. Their young romance is sweet, and watching it blossom organically and without judgment makes for the best arc in this beautifully realized musical.
The show, directed by Jessica Stone, is based on an earlier play by Lindsay-Abaire, and although Kimberly’s condition may seem like it could be mishandled by the creative team, it isn’t. They are respectful of what this aging process does to the character, and they make Kimberly a believable, heartfelt teenager. This is largely thanks to a commanding, yet understated performance by Clark, one of musical theater’s greats. She doesn’t use the role as a showcase of her obvious skills; instead, she’s quiet, solemn, isolated, curious, a true teenager caught in an older person’s body. This take on the role was the right choice for the performer because it imbues Kimberly with authenticity and believability, and nothing feels gimmicky or overdone.
The humor of the piece comes from Kimberly’s parents, who are so out of touch with the world and their daughter that their lines of dialogue are both chuckle-worthy and so damning to Kimberly. Her father is an alcoholic who has a litany of excuses of why he’s out late at the local bars, and her mother is focused on a great many things, all of them having nothing to do with Kimberly. Even though the teenager yearns for a life of familial and romantic love, all she gets is dashed expectations and hurt feelings.
When Milligan’s aunt comes on stage, everything changes. That spark in Kimberly’s life that was largely missing is suddenly knocking on the front door. At first, this aunt character is fun and funny, and she infiltrates Kimberly’s home life and school life. Eventually she concocts a criminal plan that seems too far-fetched, and there’s no real conclusion to the subplot. One wonders if the show’s creators thought about cutting this storyline because it feels too extraneous. Milligan’s character didn’t need a criminal enterprise to secure a place in the story; her presence is awesome and purposeful enough. That may be the only fumble in this otherwise perfect little show.
The eventual romance that develops between Seth and Kimberly is sweet and awkward, as it should be, and thankfully Lindsay-Abaire lets that storyline evolve with truth and realism. Helping the characters express their feelings are Tesori’s touching and perfectly fitting songs, plus the Greek chorus of fellow high school students who are stand-ins for the teenage community surrounding the protagonist.
Kimberly Akimbo is heartfelt and believable, an intimate musical that treats its characters with dignity and respect. The show is an important rumination on life and whatever time may be left.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Kimberly Akimbo is now playing an extended run at the Atlantic Theater Company in Manhattan. Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on his play. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Choreography by Danny Mefford. Directed by Jessica Stone. Starring Steven Boyer, Victoria Clark, Justin Cooley, Olivia Elease Hardy, Fernell Hogan II, Michael Iskander, Alli Mauzey, Bonnie Milligan and Nina White. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.
