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Regional Reviews: Raleigh/Durham Kimberly Akimbo
Kimberly has dreams of living a "normal" teenager's life though things have been quite difficult. She befriends another misfit named Seth (a delightful Miguel Gil) whom she eventually teams up with for a biology project about her disease. Kimberly welcomes the friendly connection. She has grown up in a household with her alcoholic father Buddy (a fine Jim Hogan) and mother Pattie (the wonderful Laura Woyasz). Pattie is pregnant, with casts on both arms, and is always videotaping her experience of her pregnancy for her baby. Life becomes more complicated with the arrival of Aunt Debra (a hilarious Emily Koch) who is always on the lookout to make her life "Better" at any cost. Aunt Debra eventually enlists the help of Kimberly and Seth along with four other students from their school, Martin, Aaron, Delia, and Teresa (Darron Hayes, Pierce Wheeler, Grace Capeless, and Skye Alyssa Friedman, respectively) to do a check washing scheme. The latter four students are looking to raise money themselves for their show choir. All the while, Kimberly just wants to be able to go on a vacation with her family before her brief life runs out. Directed by Jessica Stone, the show moves along seamlessly. The amazing score, with music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, only adds to the already touching and funny play by the author. Aunt Debra's big number, "Better," is one of the funnier moments in the show with a contrast to mother Pattie's "Father Time" which is devastatingly beautiful. David Zinn's set design in minimal yet effective. Though the musical is not a showcase for dancers, choreographer Danny Mefford has found fitting places to add movement to the story. Video design by Lucy Mackinnon provides moving closure to a somewhat somber story with projections showcased to the upbeat Tesori/Lindsay-Abaire song "Great Adventure," a fitting end. Sarah Laux (costumes), Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (lighting) and Kai Harada (sound) are all adequate in assisting the storytelling. Kimberly Akimbo is a touching story that provides the audience with a reminder that each of us is special. As Kimberly identifies in the musical number "Our Disease," we all are afflicted in some way; some have symptoms that are visible on the outside and others are more internal. It is a rare gem of a show that balances quirky humor with an interesting story. It will leave audiences laughing, crying, and maybe even reevaluating what it means to make the most of life. Kimberly Akimbo runs through May 4, 2025, at Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St. Durham NC. For tickets and information, please visit www.dpacnc.com visit the box office, or call 919-680-2787. For information on the tour, visit kimberlyakimbothemusical.com Music: Jeanine Tesori Cast: |
