Broadway success stories often come with a weight of expectation, and few musicals have arrived with as much critical acclaim as Kimberly Akimbo.
This utterly unique show, which swept the 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical, has made its highly anticipated Australian debut thanks to the Melbourne Theatre Company and State Theatre Company South Australia.
It’s a poignant, witty, and surprisingly hopeful musical that takes a truly unusual premise and grounds it in relatable human emotion.
The Playhouse at Arts Centre Melbourne, a venue known for its intimate yet grand atmosphere, provided a perfect home for Kimberly’s extraordinary story. As my plus one and I arrived we were greeted by some roller skating (and very sparkly) people handing out sweets. Our night was off to a good start already!
This musical centres on Kimberly (Marina Prior), a 16-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age four to five times faster than normal.
She’s navigating the tumultuous landscape of adolescence with the body of an elderly woman, all while dealing with a wildly dysfunctional family.
Just when you think her life couldn’t get more complicated, her eccentric, criminal aunt Debra (Casey Donovan) arrives with a fantastical get-rich-quick scheme.
What unfolds is a delightful blend of a quirky teen comedy, a charmingly clumsy heist caper, and an unlikely, tender love story, all underpinned by the show’s core message: that you can truly set your own life’s tempo, no matter the circumstances.
The Australian cast is simply superb. Marina Prior, taking on the challenging lead role of Kimberly Levaco, delivers a nuanced performance that is both heartbreakingly vulnerable and defiantly resilient.
She masterfully embodies the internal conflict of a young mind trapped in an aging body, bringing a profound depth to the character.
Casey Donovan as the chaotic Aunt Debra is a comedic revelation, stealing every scene she’s in with her outrageous antics and surprisingly heartfelt moments.
We already knew she could sing, but every show we have see her in lately has shows she can also act the house down.
Nathan O’Keefe and Christie Whelan Browne play Kimberly’s parents, an accident-prone mother and alcoholic father. These standout performance showcase both the comedic and somewhat melancholic sides of the characters who might be trying their best to be good parents, but are not quite meeting the mark.
The ensemble creates a rich and joyful world around Kimberly, filled with endearing oddballs and genuine connections.
Kimberly Akimbo tackles themes of mortality, family, identity, and first love with sensitivity and a refreshing lack of sentimentality.
The songs are smart, funny, and surprisingly catchy, weaving seamlessly into the narrative. It’s a show that makes you laugh out loud one moment and brings a lump to your throat the next.
The direction by Mitchell Butel is sharp, the pacing is excellent, and the design elements are clever, all serving to enhance the 90s world of Kimberly.
This production proves that even the most unconventional stories can resonate deeply when told with such heart and precision. It’s a must-see for anyone looking for a musical that challenges expectations and celebrates the extraordinary in the everyday.
It took Broadway by storm, won five Tony awards and now it’s time for Melbourne audiences to be treated to this dose of pure joy.
– The Plus Ones
