WILL YOU STILL NEED ME,
WHEN I’M (LOOKING) SIXTY-FOUR?
How would you live your life if you knew you were going to die of old age … in your late teens?
All teens experience appearance issues, but Kimberly Levaco (Carolee Carmello) has it worse than most. Kim has a rare chromosomal disease very similar to progeria. What this means is that Kim is aging at a pace four to five times faster than most humans. As a sixteen-year-old girl, dealing with normal issues like fitting in and attraction to boys her age, she appears to be around seventy to her peers. That would be enough to create a storyline, but her extremely dysfunctional family strongly influences the plot as well.
Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil
Skye Alyssa Friedman, Pierce Wheeler, Darron Hayes and Grace Capeless
Wow, that all sounds depressing, doesn’t it? But it’s not. Now on national tour, Kimberly Akimbo, a funny and heart-rending musical reworking of David Lindsay-Abaire’s 2001 play by the same name, with his book and lyrics set to Janine Tesori’s music, is fully enjoyable, giving us reason to feel life, love and acceptance through Kim and those around her. The updated version — winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score — is at the Civic Theatre courtesy of Broadway San Diego, and it’s a triumph. Sadly, it’s a short run only through Sunday before heading to the Hollywood Pantages, Oct 15 – Nov 3.
Emily Koch and Dana Steingold
Dana Steingold
While touching in many points, Kimberly Akimbo is not a downer. In fact, this delightful production is far more of a feel-good musical than a drama. Kim’s messed up family adds much comic relief, especially through her loveable-yet-mildly-sociopathic Aunt Debra (Emily Koch), who brings a delightful Melissa McCarthy-like energy to many scenes. Struggling to deal with Debra’s antics (and how she pulls Kim into them) are Kim’s alcoholic, ne’er-do-well father, Buddy (Jim Hogan), and her self-absorbed, pregnant mother, Pattie (Dana Steingold). In the midst of her teen angst, Kim meets sweet-but-nerdy science lab partner Seth (Miguel Gil), who seems far more interested in making a real connection with Kim than worrying about the fact that she looks more like his grandmother than a peer.
Skye Alyssa Friedman, Pierce Wheeler, Emily Koch, Darron Hayes and Grace Capeless
The National Touring Company of KIMBERLY AKIMBO
Tesori’s music has great range, from the fast-paced “Make A Wish,” Kim’s sung-aloud letter to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to choose her top three wishes) to the touching “Good Kid,” in which Seth examines if making all the “right” choices in life has made him happier. Kim’s other friends at school, who are preparing for a choral competition, add some great harmonies (including a capella), which add to the musical diversity of the show.
Carolee Carmello, Miguel Gil and Jim Hogan
Dana Steingold, Emily Koch, Carolee Carmello and Jim Hogan
Kimberly Akimbo plays off character stereotypes well, but isn’t afraid to show us the shadow side. The primarily goofy father has a heartfelt moment when, reflecting on his life, he utters the phrase, “It made things easier not to have choices.” Director Jessica Stone keeps things moving briskly, making great use of David Zinn’s rapidly changing set to create an ice rink, school hallways, a library, a car, and more.
Jim Hogan
Carolee Carmello
Interestingly, Ms. Carmello is supposed to be a septuagenarian but she doesn’t look it. I was rather shocked to learn that she is sixty-two because my guess would have been closer to forty-five. While Ms. Carmello’s youthfulness makes it easier for her to fit into a classroom, I wondered if an older impression would have seemed more in line for a very different feeling and poignancy. Still, she has a great voice, and her ability to convey teenage gawkiness with an innate wisdom and poise far beyond her character’s actual years is profoundly affecting.
Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil
photos by Joan Marcus
Carolee Carmello and Jim Hogan
Kimberly Akimbo
national tour
reviewed at the San Diego Civic Theater, 1100 Third Avenue
ends on October 13, 2024 at The Civic
for tickets (beginning at $51.25, incl. fee), visit BroadwaySD
tour continues; for dates and cities, visit Kimberly Akimbo
Miguel Gil
