Kimberly Akimbo

Kimberly Akimbo is a play written in 2000 by David Lindsay-Abaire.[1][2] Its title character is a lonely teenage girl suffering from a disease similar to progeria, that causes her to age four and a half times as fast as normal, thus trapping her inside the frail physical body of an elderly woman. She meets another misfit (a teenage boy) and the two form an attachment to one another that borders on attraction, but their situation is not helped by Kimberly's rapidly deteriorating health. Soon, Kimberly's family gets mixed up in some crazy money schemes, and the family is emotionally destroyed.

Kimberly Akimbo
Written byDavid Lindsay-Abaire
Date premiered2001
Place premieredCosta Mesa, California
Original languageEnglish
SettingNew Jersey

Plot
Act 1

The lights go up on Kimberly sitting and waiting for her father, who is late picking her up because of his drinking. He compensates by agreeing to take her to a burger joint for some food, where they meet Jeff, the nerdy kid behind the window, who asks if Kim can do an interview for his project. Buddy strongly refuses and drives away. The scene changes to Pattie, Kimberly's mom, talking to a sound recorder to her unborn child about her life and how she believes she's a 'good mother'. Later on, Kimberly calls Jeff and agrees to meet at the library later for the interview, as he is learning about progeria.

Characters
  • Kimberly, a teenage girl with an aging disease who struggles to find happiness in a chaotic family where nobody understands her
  • Buddy, Kimberly's father, an alcoholic, who only wants what's best for Kim
  • Jeff, a nerdy boy who eventually becomes Kimberly's love interest, who is neglected by his father at home
  • Pattie, Kimberly's mother, who is a hypochondriac and is pregnant with her second child
  • Debra, Pattie's sister, who lives with the family on and off and always seems to cause problems

Productions

The play was initially produced at the South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, California, from April 13 to May 13, 2001. Directed by David Petrarca, the cast starred Marylouise Burke as Kimberly.[3] Lindsay-Abaire received the Kesselring Prize in November 2001 for this production.[4] The production received the LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Writing in 2001.[5]

Kimberly Akimbo premiered Off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club New York City Center Stage 1 on February 4, 2003 and closed on April 6, 2003. Directed by David Petrarca, the cast featured Marylouise Burke (Kimberly), John Gallagher, Jr. (Jeff), Ana Gasteyer (Debra), Jodie Markell (Pattie), Jake Weber (Buddy) and Daniel Zaitchik (Jeff).[6]

Kimberly Akimbo ran from January 21, 2005 through March 6, 2005 at TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut, directed by Rob Ruggiero. The production starred Rosemary Prinz as Kimberly. [7]

Musical adaptation
Main article: Kimberly Akimbo (musical)

A musical adaptation of the play premiered at Atlantic Theater Company in November 2021, with book and lyrics by Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.[8] It was critically acclaimed, and won Best Musical prizes at the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. It began previews on Broadway on October 12, 2022 and opened on November 10 at the Booth Theatre.[9]

Awards and nominations

2003 Off-Broadway premiere
Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2003 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Play Marylouise Burke Nominated [6]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Play Marylouise Burke Nominated

References
  1. Leigh Morris, Steven (July 25, 2013). "Theater to See in L.A. This Week, Including a Solo Show About Polka. Yes, Polka". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. Shirley, Don (April 16, 2001). "How a Teen Copes in a World Thrown 'Akimbo'". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  3. Ehren, Christine (May 13, 2001). "Lindsay-Abaire's Kimberly Akimbo With Burke Exits South Coast Rep May 13". Playbill. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  4. Ehren, Christine (November 18, 2001). "Lindsay-Abaire Awarded 2001 Kesselring Prize Nov. 18 w/ Kimberly Akimbo Reading". Playbill. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  5. "2000 – 2002 Awards". LA Drama Critics Circle. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  6. "Kimberly Akimbo". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  7. Robertson, Campbell (2005-02-06). "THEATER REVIEW; Too Young To Be So Old". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  8. "Kimberly Akimbo". Atlantic Theater Company. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  9. Evans, Greg (2022-05-20). "Acclaimed Musical 'Kimberly Akimbo' Announces Broadway Venue". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
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