Kimberly Akimbo – a musical

Review   KIMBERLY AKIMBO

This is not your usual razzle dazzle let’s all have fun musical. Having written that, I  need to add that the lyrics are quirky, refreshing, exciting, reflective and the music played with panache by the musicians, directed by Kim Purling.

Then we come to the cast. In the role of Kimberly, about to turn sixteen, a teenager with a rare medical condition which means her body is aging rapidly, Marina Prior is totally convincing. She captures the energy, the moods, the anxieties, and yearnings of a young girl. Her portrayal is evidenced in the way she wraps her voice around each song, not sacrificing power and quality, while staying in character.

 Casey Donovan, as the unscrupulous, manipulative and amoral Debra, raises the roof of Her Majesty’s with her powerful voice. Along with a real ‘red hot momma’ moment she brings humour as she cajoles and bullies those around her. All in a good cause – hers.

One feature of all the singing is the clear diction.

The musical opens with a Teen Quartet, Marty Alix, Allycia Angeles, Alana Iannace and Jacob Rozario, at an ice  skating rink. This sets the mood, as they sing and dance, full of energy and the joy of living, as a perfect team, while at the same time each establishing an identity. They continue throughout the evening never missing a step, or singing an unpleasant note. 

One of the funniest scenes is when the Quartet coached by Debra, work out an assembly-line process to forge cheques.

Along with these emerging performers there is Darcy Wain, as Seth, a hapless. earnest young man, who plays the Tuba and who blossoms in confidence and personality as the story unfolds. This is a most promising professional debut and we can expect to see more of him in the future.

Kimberley’s family is dysfunctional, to say the least. Her mother,  Pattie, pregnant with a baby bulge which almost defies gravity, spends her time either complaining about symptoms, or making a video for her unborn baby. Christie Whelan Brown, as Pattie, is a true comedian. The image of her holding two knitting needles, stitches awry, declaring that she is trying to be a good mother to Kimberly, is classic.

Nathan O’Keefe, as  Buddy, a father whose love of alcohol impedes his good intentions, is a finer singer than he is a parent. He is not an unsympathetic character because we can see he does love his daughter.

The story line and setting is unusual. It touches on some very low points of life, areas to which we can relate. It cheerfully ignores the fact that  happier circumstances for all at the end were achieved through a scam. That is the magic of theatre.

The Teen Quartet  look gorgeous in their new costumes, Kimberly’s parents now have a new daughter, Debra is Debra, never fazed and Seth and Kimberly are off on a road trip.There is a sense of purpose, courage and joy, in which Kimberly and Seth set out to live whatever life is left to her, to the full. All  is conveyed with spirit, energy, fabulous music which blends and binds the threads of the story and emotions, so the members of the audience leave with buoyant steps, and a song in their heart.

8-19 July Her Majesty’s Theatre  

Book and Lyrics David Lindsay-Abaire

Music Jeanine Tesori

Diretor Mitchell Butel