Opening with energy and colour, Mitchell Butel’s Australian premiere of Kimberly Akimbo is brought to life with heart and humour. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine Tesori, this Tony Award-winning musical, presented by State Theatre Company South Australia and Melbourne Theatre Company, is sure to win the hearts of Adelaide theatregoers.
Set in 1999, nostalgic fashion trends provide the background for teenage angst, awkward pining, and a dysfunctional family. Kimberly Levaco, not quite 16 years old, suffers from a rare genetic disease that ages her about four times the normal rate. Lonely and struggling to fit in, Kimberly attempts to balance her parents’ foibles, school relationships, and her own shortened life expectancy. Rich with emotion and laughter, this musical is an absolute delight.
The characters pop out in colour, both in costume and personalities. Kimberly, played by Marina Prior, exudes a beautiful vulnerability in her physicality that is contrasted hauntingly by the maturity of her voice. Despite being older than her character’s numerical age, Prior captures the hopeful naivete of a teenager.
As Aunt Debra, Casey Donovan absolutely owns the stage in her scenes with powerhouse vocals and comic timing. A character so utterly chaotic and unpredictable, you’re on the edge of your seat watching in anticipation.
Nathan O’Keefe’s Buddy, as both a chronically late and drunk father to Kimberly, is endearing and hilarious. His protectiveness over Kimberly in Happy For Her is hysterical as he claims that she can clean her own muffin crumbs.
As Kimberly’s mother Pattie, Christie Whelan Browne is fantastically narcissistic yet fun as she films videos of herself for her unborn baby. The cheeky reprises of Hello, Darling are met with glee from the audience.
Darcy Wain’s Seth Weetis is adorably nerdy as he worms his way into Kimberly’s heart with creative wordplay. The added bonus of his tuba being more than just a prop was a charming surprise.
The supporting quartet of teenage school characters battling unrequited, and sometimes closeted, love proved to be engaging and heartwarming. Delicious harmonies from Marty Alix, Allycia Angeles, Alana Iannace and Jacob Rozario, as Martin, Delia, Teresa, and Aaron respectively, demonstrate some rising talent.
The set, designed by Jonathon Oxlade, is made of pale and minimalistic block shapes that demand attention. Lighting design by Matt Scott enhances, making colours appear brighter, as if they are painted on instead.
Moveable set pieces also stand out in vibrant bursts of colour, with their rotation adding context and changing scenes within seconds. Some of the pieces appear to be fairly hefty, requiring the crew to bring their own mechanisms to shift pieces in a timely manner.
The charmingly clashing patterns and layering from the late 90s costumes, designed by Ailsa Paterson, add to the cosy feel of the performance. Under Kym Purling’s music direction, the score swings masterfully from comedically zany to tenderly light, taking everyone on an idiosyncratic journey.
Filled with fun, laughter, and tears, Kimberly Akimbo explores different types of relationships and how they’re tested when things aren’t perfect or beautiful. Ideal for mature audiences, this touching and clever piece of musical theatre is not to be missed.
Kimberly Akimbo runs from 8 – 18 July at Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide.
It will then enjoy a season in Melbourne from 26 July – 30 August.
Tickets: https://my.statetheatrecompany.com.au/overview/kimberly-akimbo
Website: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/kimberly-akimbo/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/statetheatresa/ and https://www.instagram.com/akimbomusical_au/
Photo credits: Sam Roberts
