A new musical about growing up and growing old – in no particular order. Kimberly Akimbo is the winner of five 2023 Tony Awards® including best musical.
“PROFOUNDLY FUNNY AND DEEPLY MOVING.”
- The New York TImes
Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.
Featuring Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone (Water for Elephants, also on our season) Kimberly Akimbo will leave you heart-warmed and amused.
Kimberly Akimbo
“What struck me about Kimberly Akimbo was the contrast between the essence and the identity of the characters,” Tesori, award-winning composer of Kimberly Akimbo said. “There’s a significant difference between who these characters are and how the world perceives them. This gap often gives rise to the need to sing. In Kimberly Akimbo, everyone is misunderstood and ill-equipped to deal with their circumstances. Collaborating with the playwright was invaluable because he provided the foundation, allowing me to ask, ‘What were you thinking when you wrote this?’ Initially, he wrote from a young perspective, similar to Kimberly’s. But when we revisited the material, we approached it from the vantage point of parents and middle-aged individuals. This evolution in perspective was fascinating. The characters sing from a place of great desire, loss and hope.”
A musical full of memorable performances that remind audiences of the preciousness of time. Discover why Hollywood Reporter coins Kimberly Akimbo “your new favorite musical” with eight shows, December 9-14 at Walton Arts Center.
