Teenage love and angst in fun-filled Kimberly Akimbo
Kimberly Akimbo is a Tony Award-winning feel-good musical currently being staged at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse.
Life as a teenager throws up many challenges, especially when they start falling in love and exploring relationships. In the case of 16-year-old Kimberly, superbly played in the MTC’s new musical Kimberly Akimbo by experienced music theatre star Marina Prior, there’s the added burden of a rare genetic disease that causes her to age four or five times as rapidly as normal.
Plus she faces the stress of living with her dysfunctional, self-centred parents, pregnant Pattie (Christie Whelan Browne) and alcoholic Buddy (Nathan O’Keefe). Adding mayhem to introverted Kimberly’s life is the appearance of unwelcome aunt Debra (Casey Donovan) who gatecrashes the family home determined to introduce an illegal money-making scheme into the mix. The cast of top-flight performers is ably supported by a talented group of budding actors led by Darcy Wain in his professional theatre debut as Kimberly’s love interest, Seth.
Despite being socially awkward and obsessed with playing anagrams, he proves to have a heart of gold and endears himself to the audience. The youthful enthusiasm of school friends Marty Alix as Martin, Allycia Angeles as Delia, Alana Iannace as Teresa and Jacob Rozario as Aaron shine as they interact with Kimberly.
Kimberly Akimbo won the Tony Award for best musical after premiering on Broadway in 2021 and this new Australian production – a joint venture between MTC and State Theatre Company South Australia – has plenty of appeal with its bittersweet comedy, colourful modern stage design and energetic choreography that includes roller-skating routines. Set in suburban New Jersey in 1999, the musical has offbeat humour, charm and irreverence.
With music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, this production is directed by Mitchell Butel. Musical highlights include Marina Prior’s Make a Wish, Casey Donavan belting out the powerful Better and Christie Whelan Browne performing Father Time. Providing strong musical support is an eight-piece band placed out of view of the audience.
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