Carolee Carmello Photo by Joan Marcus

Kimberly Akimbo tells the story of a teenager approaching her 16th birthday. Kimberly isn't like other kids though, as she has a disease which makes her age four or five times faster than most people, with a life-expectancy of less than twenty years. Her highly dysfunctional family doesn't provide much support, but a blossoming friendship at her new school and a desire to live life to its fullest while she can, lead to some fun adventures.

The musical has a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on his own non-musical play which premiered off-Broadway in 2001. The story is set in New Jersey, 1999. The show tackles some serious subjects, but is never depressing, with many wonderfully comedic moments, unusual antics, and a hopeful tone throughout. The story also includes likeable leading characters and unexpected plot twists. There is strong language, so it may not be suitable for kids and preteens.

The score boasts music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by David Lindsay- Abaire. Tesori is quite the chameleon-like composer, with each of her scores sounding unique in style and form. While there aren't nearly as many stand-alone, standout songs here as for her scores for Violet, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek The Musical, Caroline, or Change, or Fun Home, the numbers are well-integrated into the plot and tuneful. Lindsay-Abaire has made a career primarily as a playwright, but did previously team with Tesori as lyricist to her music for Shrek The Musical. He again proves himself to be a fine wordsmith, with smile-inducing rhymes and introspective wordplay. The best songs from the score are the opening "Skater Planet", "Anagram", where Kimberly's new friend Seth introduces a word game to Kimberly, and "Better", a comedic anthem by Kimberly's criminally inclined aunt Debra. The songs won the songwriting duo a Tony Award for Best Score, and Lindsay-Abaire additionally won a Tony for Best Book for the show.

Broadway veteran Carolee Carmello plays Kimberly. This first-rate actress led the recent tour of Hello, Dolly! that played in Cincinnati, and has more than fifteen Broadway shows (and three Tony nominations) to her credit. Having someone around the age of sixty play this unique teenager works well theatrically, and Carmello exquisitely embodies the insecurities and exuberance of adolescence. The pathos of someone wanting to experience life before she dies is also authentically and clearly conveyed. As her friend Seth, Justin Cooley recently joined the national tour, having already received a Tony Award nomination for the role on Broadway. He supplies a warm, adorable, and nerdy take on the character and is a delight to have in the cast.

Portraying Kimberly's kooky family are Jim Hogan (dad Buddy), Laura Woyasz (mom Pattie), and Emily Koch as Aunt Debra. Hogan and Woyasz bring humanity to generally unlikeable characters, and Koch is very humorous and delivers vocally in her big numbers. As the other teenagers at school, current CCM Musical Theatre student Grace Capeless (Delia), Skye Alyssa Friedman (Teresa), understudy Regene Seven Oden (Martin), and Pierce Wheeler (Aaron) each get to shine individually and collectively many times throughout the show.

Director Jessica Stone has put a lot of care into the molding and creation of the piece, with apt tone and pace and smooth transitions in place as well. The musical could have been bleaker or stodgy in a lesser director's hands. The limited choreography (mostly on ice skates!) is by Danny Mefford. Leigh Delano directs a great sounding eight-piece orchestra.

The scenic design by David Zinn contains many fun details and clearly conveys the unique settings for the piece. The individual set pieces move fluidly and there's a cohesive look to the overall visual elements. The attractive costumes by Sarah Laux capture the time period appropriately. The lighting by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew is professionally rendered and is a seamless part of many scene transitions.

Kimberly Akimbo is a funny, quirky, and emotional slice-of-life musical about an interesting character and situation. It's a welcome addition to Broadway's list of award-winning shows. The current national tour boasts a winning cast including a member of Broadway royalty, as well as a performer recreating his Tony-nominated role. Cincinnati audiences should brave the cold to come see this unique offering.

Kimberly Akimbo runs through March 2, 2025, at the Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati OH. For tickets and information, please call 513-621-2787 or visit cincinnati.broadway.com. For information on tour, visit kimberlyakimbothemusical.com.