Review by Shelby Coleman
This week, Kimberly Akimbo is at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Kimberly Akimbo, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL and the most critically acclaimed musical of its season, offers genuine and relatable relationships that connect with audience members from all walks of life. Broadway in Cincinnati is responsible for bringing these professional tours to the area.
The Story
The show tells the story of a lonely teenage girl, Kimberly Levaco, who suffers from a condition similar to progeria that causes her to age rapidly, giving her the appearance of an elderly woman.
We follow the already tumultuous life of a teenager who now has to navigate this additional hurtle. This show raises the question: how do you live fully in the moment? All others her age are planning for a future and life that has barely begun. Kimberly, at the young age of 16, is coming to terms with the fact that her life will be over soon. Although Kimberly has this massive weight looming over her shoulders, the show focuses on the regular problems she is facing such as wishing for a traditional family life and navigating the battlefield of a high school crush. Kimberly Akimbo highlights issues that any audience member can connect with while creating incredibly genuine relationships on the stage. Any viewer will feel seen through this production.
We Meet Kimberly
Kimberly Akimbo opens with “Skater Planet.” In this number we meet the teens of the town who struggle with this small suburban New Jersey life. We see for Kimberly, the focus is on the “normal” teens of the town. We see unrequited love, the struggle to fit in, and the desire for more than the town has to offer.
Kim, although present, fades into the background of this number so that we see her as a regular teen dealing with stereotypical problems rather than only seeing her disease. This creates an amazing connection between Carolee Carmello, who plays the title role, and the audience so that we can suspend our disbelief at an adult actor playing a young teenage role. As an adult, how do you play a kid without coming off as false? Carmello calms this concern through her artful performance in this role. From the way she holds herself in her costumes to the modulation of her operatic voice to fit the still maturing grace of a teenage girl. Carmello’s commitment to authenticity completely immerses the audience in the world of an uncertain teen navigating the pitfalls of high school and homelife.
Kimberly’s Family
Kimberly is less than blessed with a non-traditional family life. With two narcissistic parents, Kimberly merely wants a home cooked meal. We first meet Kimberly’s mother, played by Laura Woyasz, as she creates a home video for a new daughter soon to meet the world. Woyasz brings to life the insanity that can come with pregnancy and trying not to lose your individuality. Her physicality in this role brings a level of underlying comedy that gives her character a realness seldom seen on the stage.
While Kimberly’s mother uses feigned ignorance to ignore the difficulties of their life, Kimberly’s father, played by Jim Hogan, finds solace at the bottom of a bottle. It is clear from his first stumble onto the stage that Kimberly has experience with picking up the pieces for her father and keeping her mother in a blissfully ignorant state. On top of the antics of her parents, we soon learn that Kimberly’s untraditional family does not stop there. We meet Kimberly’s Aunt Debra, played by Emily Koch. Koch believes so much in her character that she has audiences hooked from the moment she first pops out from behind a bookshelf. Koch elevates the stakes of this small New Jersey town immediately and wows audience members with her comedic timing as well as her incredible vocals.
Kimberly’s Friends
While many members bring humor to what could be a tragic story, a fan favorite comedian is Seth Weetis (Justin Cooley). Cooley brings hilarity to this role with his dedication to the way Weetis views the world. Seemingly unbothered by any of the normal teenage traps, Weetis offers a new view of the world for Kimberly, while also offering a nonjudgemental friendship. The connection Carmello and Cooley have created flies off the stage. These two have perfectly recreated the awkward and innocent feelings of navigating a high school crush.
Kimberly Akimbo provides an unexpected amount of comedy that makes the 2 hour and 15-minute production fly by. From the mannerisms and awkward exclamations of Cooley as Seth Weetis to the surprising one-liners from Emily Koch as Aunt Debra, this show has audiences of all ages and walks of life shaking in their seats from laughter.
Carolle Carmello brings a delightful playfulness and understated strength to the role of Kimberly Levaco. The unexpected humor and connection between Carmello, Cooley and Hogan in “Happy for Her” left audiences, and actors for that matter, rolling. This paired with the convincing father daughter relationship created by Carmello and Hogan led for a surprising show stopping number.
Carolee Carmello, Miguel Gil and Jim Hogan in the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO (Photo by Joan Marcus)
Act Two of Kimberly Akimbo
Contrary to all the humor and cheerfulness of the first act, we see a significant shift in tone after “Our Disease” in Act Two. This is not to say that Act Two doesn’t provide humor, but we are thrown full force into Kimberly’s realization that her disease does create a life different than that of a typical teenager. This directly contrasts with everything that the show has engrained in us from the beginning. While we were taught to view Kimberly as a person and not a disease, her disease is brought to the forefront as her time on this earth grows dangerously short.
Act Two still gives audiences favorite numbers such as “How to Wash a Check” which showcases the vocal skills of cast members Skye Alyssa Friedman as Theresa, Grace Capeless as Delia, Pierce Wheeler as Aaron and Regene Seven Odon as Martin along with Emily Koch as Aunt Debra leading the number.
A Life Cut Short
As the show comes to a close, we are left with a stunningly simple ukulele led number featuring Kimberly and Seth off on the road trip Kimberly has so desperately longed for. Although this number has an upbeat and peppy sound, when you listen closely to the words we hear the double meaning. Not only are Weetis and Lovaco speaking of their road trip but also Lovaco’s last trip in life and the adventure that this short life has been for her.
While the audience knows the sadness of a life cut short, the production continues to focus on the good that Kimberly has experienced above the hardships of her condition. We see beautiful scenes that everyone in Kimberly’s life can watch to also share in all the good times she brought to them. Finding the silver lining is the focus of this production and allows the audience to leave the theatre with a new resolve for finding the good in life.
Overall
Kimberly Akimbo thrills audience members looking for a feel-good, comical performance. If you want to spend an evening with loved ones laughing and reminiscing on the good times in life, this is the show for you. Audiences, young and old, will love this production. The opening night performance was met with a full house standing ovation as audience members begged for more! Bring your families and friends out to see Kimberly Akimbo presented by Broadway in Cincinnati. This is a two-week limited engagement that you won’t want to miss!
Tickets to Kimberly Akimbo
Kimberly Akimbo will play at the Aronoff Center from February 18 to March 2, 2025:
- Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30 PM
- Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
- Sundays at 1:00 AM and 6:30 PM.
Tickets start at $43 and are available online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown.
For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com
