Opening Night - October 16, 2024
Book & Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire Music by Jeanine Tesori
By Chris Cassone cc@chriscassone.com
What a joyous, upbeat, clever, funny, and magical night was "Kimberly Akimbo!" The onslaught of either tribute musicals (Green Day, Sting, Michael Jackson, etc.) or derivative musicals (Harry Potter, Back to the Future, Mrs. Doubtfire, etc.) has dulled our collective Broadway senses and don't even get me started with the Disney giants. So, when a totally unique and refreshing story filled with believable characters singing and dancing with new music that's like no other, we, as an audience, sat up and listened.
I watched the first act up close in my reviewer seat. There, I got a good look at the actors up close and personal. I heard the orchestra right out of the pit, rather than the speakers. And I was close enough to just see the stage action with no distractions.
However, after the intermission, I sat way in the back and took in the audience as it responded. And respond it did. The fact is that the audience on opening night was sharp and responsive and laughed at all the jokes without delay. And this was a hearty laugh that we heard. If I were David Lindsay-Abaire or Jeanine Tesori, I'd be very proud of how well the book and music worked with the crowd.
That's because all the actors, Carolee Carmello, especially, as Kimberly, did such a wonderful job. Kim is a high school student with a rare (fictional) genetic disorder that has her body age faster than normal. Talk about teen age angst, this was a cross to bear. But she was so full of life that neither she nor her family nor most of her friends ever felt a distance. Her budding puppy love with Seth (played by an effervescent Miguel Gil) was so real and innocent that I started to remember my own high school puppy love (hint: we are happily married.) Her cadre of a foursome of friends was heartwarming. The subplot of gay kids getting liked by straight and vice versa was a hoot.
But family dysfunction is what the musical has at its heart and that is revealed with humor on top of slapstick and all wrapped up in love. But what would a family musical be without dysfunction? Jim Hogan's drunk-dad Buddy was boisterous while trying ever-so-hard to be a better parent ("Happy for Her.") Dana Steingold as the mom, Patty, broke our hearts with her video to her unborn child ("Hello, Darling.")
But the high schoolers, especially the four besties, sang in choir form, morphing into doowop a cappella and then danced around the stage on ice skates. I'm still not sure how they pulled that off but who cares. They were skating on stage, and it was phenomenal.
This is all done in the great state of New Jersey, Bergen County, to be specific. And anyone who grew up in the tri-state area knows that every family makes a pilgrimage down the Garden State parkway to the Great Adventure Theme Park. Buddy has been promising all through the action, to bring them and the finale, aptly crafted, was "Great Adventure." The metaphor being, we all should aim for the great adventure in our lives. It seems every play I've been seeing has this as a theme.
The show was stolen, grand larceny style, by Emily Koch who played Kim's ne'er do well Aunt Debra. After a stint in Rahway (prison, that is,) she brings one final scheme to Kim and her friends. Debbie had the best lines in the play. When she is caught sneaking into the house with a garbage bag full of stuff, Mom screams, "What do have in that bag?"
"Just chemicals."
"Chemicals? You better not be making a bomb!"
"I don't do that anymore."
Again, this was a bright, colorful musical full of harmonies that popped and singers who brought it and dancers who spun and hit their marks. Bring the tweens and the high schoolers. Heck, bring grandpa as well. This was a super show.
Kimberly Akimbo runs through November 3rd; Tues, Wed, Thurs at 7:30; Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sun at 6:30; matinees Sat 2pm and Sun 1pm. Hollywood Pantages Theatre 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets: https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/kimberly-akimbo