Review: KIMBERLY AKIMBO, Ensemble Arts Philly - US tour
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
If you haven’t seen Kimberly Akimbo yet, add it to your list immediately. It’s one of those rare musicals that makes you laugh, cry, and think about life all at once and somehow never feels heavy-handed while doing it.
The show centers on Kimberly, a teenage girl with a rare aging disorder that makes her appear decades older than she is. She’s stuck in suburban New Jersey with a delightfully dysfunctional family and a growing sense that time is running out… literally. But don’t worry, Kimberly Akimbo isn’t a tragedy. It’s a joyful, offbeat exploration of what it means to truly live, told through sharp humour, tender moments, and music that sticks with you long after the curtain falls.
The creative dream team behind this gem, with a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) and music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change) have created something special. Tesori’s score bounces between infectious pop-rock and emotional introspection, while Lindsay-Abaire’s lyrics sparkle with wit and heart. The result is a show that feels both wildly funny and deeply human.
Of course, the heart of the show is its performances. Ann Morrison’s portrayal of Kimberly is nothing short of breathtaking, as she embodies both the fragility of a teenager and the wisdom of someone who’s lived a full lifetime. The supporting cast bring an infectious energy to the stage, each character quirky in their own perfectly human way.
What makes Kimberly Akimbo even more special is its story offstage. It’s not your typical “Tony Award material”. There are no flashy spectacles, no mega-budget set pieces, just pure heart and brilliant storytelling. And yet, this little underdog of a musical went on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. When the cast and crew celebrated that night, it wasn’t just about the trophies; it was about the joy of seeing an unconventional, deeply human story triumph. Even as the national tour carries that legacy forward, with many of the original cast having moved on, there’s a shared magic and pride that continues to ripple through every performance. You can feel that love onstage.
Before the curtain even rose, the evening had that signature Kimberly Akimbo sparkle thanks to Ensemble Arts Philly, who organised a fantastic pre-show meet and greet with Philadelphia native Jim Rogan, who plays Kimberly’s dad, Buddy. Jim was absolutely charming. They talked about growing up as a local theatre kid and how surreal it feels to be performing on stage in their hometown. You could really tell how much it meant to them.
Rogan even shared their most embarrassing onstage moment and it was hilarious. During one performance, they tried to toss a prop offstage, but it hit something and rolled right back toward him. Instead of panicking, the actress playing Kimberly at the time broke the fourth wall, scooped up the runaway prop, and playfully brought the audience in on the joke. The whole theatre erupted in laughter — one of those perfectly imperfect moments that makes live theater so special.
Jim couldn’t have been more gracious with the crowd, either. They posed for photos, chatted with fans, and even let press and content creators record clips of the cast rehearsing their “ice skating” choreography on the PolyGlide surface used in the show, which was a fun peek behind the curtain that really showed how much heart and humour goes into every performance.
And just when you thought the pre-show energy couldn’t get better, students from Perkiomen Valley High School filled the Academy of Music lobby with their beautiful rendition of ‘Great Adventure’. They were performing as part of the Philadelphia Independence Awards Program, a proud partner of Ensemble Arts Philly which was such a fitting, joyful kickoff to the night.
What really makes Kimberly Akimbo unforgettable, though, is its message. It reminds us that even when life feels messy and unfair, there’s beauty to be found in connection, laughter, and just showing up as yourself. So, if you’re craving a musical that’s as thoughtful as it is joyful (one that will make you giggle through tears and leave the theatre a little lighter), Kimberly Akimbo is absolutely worth the ticket. Trust me, you’ll be humming the tunes and quoting the lines for days.
Joyful and tender.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers