Kimberly Akimbo

 Kimberly Akimbo
Atlantic Theater Company
Linda Gross Theater
November 20, 2021 

The Atlantic Theater Company production of KimberlyAkimbo is sheer joy.  Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire has teamed up with composer Jeanine Tesori to adapt his original play of the same name into this musical adventure.  The phenomenal cast, under the direction of Jessica Stone, delivers outstanding performances that will stay with you long after the show is over.

Kimberly (played by Victoria Clark) is a fifteen year old girl who wishes that her family was “normal.”  Her father (played by Steven Boyer) drinks too much.  Her mother (played by Alli Mauzey) thinks only of herself.  Kimberly suffers from a rare genetic disorder where her body ages at an accelerated rate.  She looks and feels like a sixty year old woman and has a life expectancy of sixteen years.  Seth (played by Justin Cooley), a tuba playing puzzle expert, asks Kimberly to partner with him on their science project.  At first Kimberly says no, but when they are both left without a partner, she agrees.  Kimberly becomes intrigued by Seth’s unique way of seeing things, and a friendship develops.  When Kimberly’s Aunt Debra (played by Bonnie Milligan) pops into town, she recruits a few of Kimberly’s school mates (played by Olivia Elease Hardy, Fernell Hogan II, Nina White, & Michael Iskander) on an get rich quick scheme.  When Debra spills the beans on a family secret, Kimberly finds herself drawn into her aunt’s illegal plan. 

Steven Boyer & Victoria Clark
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Victoria Clark delivers a heartwarming performance as Kimberly.  Her character pushes past her comfort zone throughout the story.  Ms. Clark plays these moments with genuine naivete and a determined focus.  Justin Cooley is outstanding as Seth.  His openness and honesty is refreshing.  The connection between him and Ms. Clark is mesmerizing.  Steven Boyer and Allie Mauzey have a strong bond as Kimberly’s highly difunctional parents.  They both try as best they can to get their act together for Kimberly’s sake.  These two actors keep the subtext of tension throughout, making their fall predictable, even though you never stop rooting for them.

Bonnie Milligan drives the action forward, plotting and recruiting for Aunt’s Debra’s plan.  Ms. Milligan weaves many layers into this character.  She creates a likeable villain and, since her plan involves six innocent teenager, you keep your fingers crossed for her success.  Olivia Elease Hardy, Fernell Hogan II, Nina White, & Michael Iskander are an amazing ensemble.  They each create distinct roles that hide their own individual secrets, while propelled by a unified desire. 

The Creatvie Team of Kimberly Akimbo
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The fruits of David Lindsey-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s collaboration abound in this production.  Mr. Lindsey-Abaire’s lyrics flow smoothly through Ms. Tesori’s week-crafted score.  There are moments of sincere emotion and deep realization, as well as charming humor.  The set design by David Zinn is full or surprises. 

Kimberly Akimbo is playing at Atlantic Theatre Company’s Linda Gross Theater through December 26.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Caroline, or Change

 Caroline, or Change
Roundabout Theatre Company
Studio 54
November 9, 2021 

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Caroline,or Change is bold and glorious.  The book and lyrics by Tony Kushner tells a very personal and intimate story, while the music by Jeanine Tesori exaggerates the emotional impact.  Director Michal Longhurst pulls very powerful performances out of the seventeen skilled cast members, who fill the stage of Studio 54 with energy, authenticity, and joy.  

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Caroline (played by Sharon D Clarke) is the maid for the Gellman family in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The year is 1963.  Caroline spends most of her time underground, in the basement doing laundry.  Eight year old Noah (played by Jaden Myles Waldman) visits her after school.  He misses his mother, who passed away from cancer.  Caroline is a strong link for Noah to his mother.  To teach him a lesson, Noah’s step mother, Rose (played by Caisie Levy), tells Caroline to keep any money she finds in Noah’s pockets when she does his laundry.  At first Caroline returns the spare change to Noah, unable to take money from a child.  Then Noah deliberately leaves coins in his pockets for Caroline to take home to her children.  When Noah accidentally leaves his twenty dollar Chanukah gelt given to him by his grandfather (played by Chip Zein), Caroline decides to keep it.  Noah demands its return, and Caroline voices hate in words she cannot take back.  She does not return to work for a week.  Caroline must come to terms with her inner struggle in order to heal herself and improve the relationship with her own children.  

Sharon D Clarke & Jaden Myles Waldman
Photo courtesy of Roudabout Theatre Company

Sharon D Clark is a powerhouse as Caroline.  This story hinges on the character’s inability to let go of hurt, and Ms. Clark is tenacious and immovable in this role.  When her backstory is revealed in Act II, all of what she portrayed in Act I comes into focus.  When she faces her truths, the release and healing is genuine.  Also vital to this story is the attachment Noah has to Caroline.  Jaden Myles Waldman is honest and truthful as Noah.  He and Ms. Clark are in sync and truly connected. 

Caisie Levy & Sharon D Clarke
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Caisie Levy portrays dual sides of Noah’s stepmother, Rose.  On the outside she is perky and polite.  On the inside she is scared and frustrated.  Her performance is riveting, and adds some most needed humor to the storyline.  Tamika Lawrence is tough and vulnerable as Caroline’s friend, Dotty Moffett.  Samantha Williams is brave and rebellious as Caroline’s daughter, Emmie.  Her character grows throughout her journey.  She leaves us with the concluding moment of the play, which is poignant and relevant.

Here is a quote from the program by Director Michael Levy:  “This show is about how we all exits together – how we should share and acknowledge our privilege, not avoid it, in order to exist in greater peace.”  Caroline, or Change is playing at Studio 54 through January 9. 

Domenick Danza

Fun Home

Fun Home

Circle in the Square

February 17, 2016

Photo courtesy of Fun Home

Fun Home is an emotional journey of growing up and facing life’s hidden truths. It is a tender and realistic view of the world at that time in life when certain truths that have been held back are brought out into the open.  It is the emotional triumph when you make sense of it all and are able to face life with hope and truer sense of yourself.  These are very big statements to make about a Broadway musical, yet to sit in the theatre and experience the lives of the characters unfold in a multi-dimensional manner is rare.  The story itself, based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, is funny, honest, and moving.  The book and lyrics by Lisa Kron are bold and riveting.  The music by Jeanine Tesori engulfs and engages you in the dichotomy of both the whimsy and stark realities of the characters and situation.

Beth Malone & Micheal Cerveris
Photo courtesy of Fun Home

The main character, Alison (played by Beth Malone), tell us in the first scene that she and her dad (played by Michael Cerveris) are gay and that he killed himself by stepping out in front of a speeding truck.  That very tragic proclamation is quickly forgotten as you follow the playful antics of Alison (played by Gabriella Pizzolo as a child) and her two brothers (played by Zell Stelle Morrow and Oscar Williams).  She comes out while in college (played at that age by Lauren Patten) and begins to face the darker truths of her family life.  The fact that we simultaneously see Alison played by three actors at specific phases of her life combined with the amazing writing and emotional score allows the story to peel away and be revealed one layer at a time.   This gives the

Judy Kuhn & Sydney Lucas (original cast)
Photo courtesy of Fun Home

perspective of Alison’s memory a dominant role in the narrative as facts open up and then folds back in non-chronological order.   The most heart-rending moment is by Judy Kuhn as Alison’s mother in the song “Days and Days.”  It is a courageous confession of the disappointments in her marriage and the hopes for her daughter.  Ms. Kuhn delivers it flawlessly.

The set design by David Zinn and lighting design by Ben Stanton are phenomenal.  The flow from one moment to the next is conceived and conveyed brilliantly.  The design is in the scheme as set pieces and furniture rise up from beneath the floor, then descend to reappear on the other side of the stage.  They utilize the capacity

Photo courtesy of Fun Home

and technology of the space with carefully crafted expertise.

Everything you heard and read about Fun Home is true.  It is sure to be running for a long while, yet don’t put off seeing it.  It is a work of theatre that needs to be experienced first-hand. 

Domenick Danza