29/08/2025
It’s 1999, Britney, Sugar Ray, Shania Twain and Christina Aguilera are playing on the radio and a poster of Dawson’s Creek is on the wall as Kimberly’s affliction is getting older four to five times faster with a similar diagnosis to Hutchinson–Gilford progeroid syndrome. This grounds the heart-melting, five-time Tony award winning 2021 ‘Kimberly Akimbo: A Musical’ based on the book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesoro (Fun Home) and currently playing at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne. While Kim is lonely, coming of age while facing her rapid aging, her Mum and Dad are experiencing insufferable parenting paralysis and avoidance and her peers have a bad case of adolescence with anxiety and social desirability. Will Kimberly and new found friend Seth find their moment and adventures? Can her parents change their hypochondria and excessive drinking ways and find it within themselves to see their daughter? Can her new friends and eccentric Aunt, Deb get away with the cheque heist, so it lets them get what they want?
Acclaimed director, Mitchell Butel (Violet) is at the helm the Australian premiere and boldly and bravely captures the heartfelt, nostalgic and light and dark storytelling with first rate, comedic timing and delivery of the physical movement and black humour one liners, neatly and sweetly exaggerates poignant moments with back up ensemble dancing and singing and gets the best out of the whole cast who have the freedom to express themselves and look like they are having fun on stage. Musical director, Kym Purling (Miss Siagon) leads a seven-piece band with reed, guitar, cello and drums to play the upbeat, rhythmic, restless and mono-instrumental signature sound track that is richly woven and nuanced with the lyrics and storylines. Amy Campbell (Oklahoma) reimagines the solo, bopping, roaring and excitable adolescent nineties dancing and has ‘Xanadu’ stylised roller blading choreography that not only looks great but adds a real sense of old school fun.
Scenic designer, Jonathon Oxlade (Oklahoma) showcases a dynamic, fun, flat packed set with over the top, popping, colourful pastel on stage and fly in shapes that reproduces the nineties country ice rink. This back drop frames the simple, brown veneer lounge room, blocked purple painted bedroom and nursery, flipping library shelves and student lockers and is the perfect projection canvas for Matt Byrne’s (Private View) video content creation of the Kim’s road trip adventure! The loud and vibrant poker dots, tartan, check, striped, camo, denim, floral, flannel, parachute, sequin, sparkly and all coloured patterned and material pants, tees, jackets, dresses and shawls accompanied by the brown moccasins, flat skater shoes and uniform blades that express the eccentric and eclectic, era fashions designed by Ailsa Paterson (Cloudstreet!).
In demand, lighting designer, Matt Scott (Dear Evan Hansen) splashes the electric and disco fluorescent blue, pinks and moody red digital lighting and cycloramas contrasting the simple inside white illumination resonate with the time period with the interplay between the story’s gloom and joy. Sound Design by Andrew Poppleton (SIX) neatly balances the orchestra’s music with the performer’s microphones and their physically demanding dance and movement, so the diction was mostly clear.
Cabaret extraordinaire, Millicent Sarre (Ordinary) chameleonly plays Kimberley, the seemingly reserved, while wildly young and bold at heart who is seeking happiness and adventures , all the while doing it her way; with her believable and truthful character acting and stage movement expressionism and showcasing her touching vocal range when singing “Make a Wish,” heartfelt, two-part love duet “Anagram,” vulnerable, empowering and hilarious song “Our Disease” and upbeat and joyful songs “Now” and “Hello, Sister.”
Kim’s neurotic, vulnerable and selfish mother, Pattie is played by the extraordinary, versatile and triple-threat, Christie Whelan Browne (Muriel’s Wedding). She not only looks the part in her sparkly, pink bogan outfit; she unconsciously and uninhibitedly embodies her character and nails her comedic mannerisms with perfect timing and her versions of “Hello, Darling,” “Father Time” and the intense and aptly good family, calamity dinner duet with Buddy “The Inevitable Turn” are sung with personal sincerity and insecurity while reflecting back the true reality.
Kim’s Aunt, the felon and feebly, Debra is played by the irrepressible Casey Donovan (Chicago) and appears to be revelling in an opportunity to bring this wild and uncontrollable character to life. Her astute, cunning and street smart character acting is believable as an ex-con trying to turn around her and other’s lives around with her creative ways for good intentions and it always a pleasure hearing her commanding vocals leading the company songs “Better” and “How to wash a check.”
Darcy Wain (Shrek the Musical) who is making his professional musical theatre debut plays the sweet, innocent, puzzilistic artist and misfit, Seth. He is already a star and quadruple threat playing his trombone on stage in the charming solo tune, “Good Kid,” delivers a mesmerising rhythmic, rhyming and spoken word melody for his first love in the “Anagram” song, has natural presence and chemistry with others on stage and steps into the role with vigour and glows with his honest character acting and cheeky comedy. Theatre stalwart, Nathan O’Keefe (Helpmann award winning, Me & My Shadow) plays the over-protective, baffling and moody, Kim’s father, Buddy. He takes you on a wild ride who thinks his daughter is a precious flower and doesn’t want her picked although he poignantly sings “Happy for her” and wants her to go see the world in “Hello, Baby.”
The up and coming ensemble cast playing the high school students including award winning and in demand performer, Marty Alix (In the Heights); Jacob Rozario (Kinky Boots) and Alana Iannace and Allycia Angeles who are making their professional music theatre debut. They are a prominent pleasure on stage, superbly performing eleven songs and supporting melodies with stellar contemporary choreography and relatable comedy including the camp, operatic and animated, presentation of “Our Disease.” A special mention goes to Marty Alix with his commanding and attractive vocals; sincere and profound character acting and versatile dancing and stage movement.
This musical has compelling and courageous direction, honourable, honest and humble performances, edgy and tempestuous orchestrations, striking costumes, creative and affective scenic design and video projections, compulsive era lighting and reliable sound. This is a fresh, fun, faithful and fabulous way to explore the variability of the dysfunctional, flawed and diverse human condition and family entity who is trying to survive while seeking connection and joy so deserves Five Jazz Hands.
Performance date - 6:30pm Tuesday 26th August. Independent Review. Show Alert- course language and adult themes.
