Kimberly Akimbo is a 2021 musical comedy that is currently touring across the nation and debuted in Hollywood last week at the Pantages Theatre. It’s the story of a teenage girl who has a disease similar to progeria, with a premise similar to Jack starring Robin Williams. Instead of a 10-year-old boy dealing with an aging disease with a loving family, it’s a 16-year-old girl with an aging disease with a dysfunctional family. Although it isn’t as big as other musicals in terms of a large dance number or insane set pieces, it makes up for it with likable and entertaining characters, creative uses of the sets, a sweet and uplifting story of acceptance and love, and a splash of teenage drama. Kimberly Akimbo is a delightful and fun musical with heart, and the cast is captivating and charming.

I saw the musical on opening night, and it had Carolee Carmello starring as Kimberly, a 16-year-old girl with a fictional disease that makes her age fast. She has an alcoholic father and a pregnant mother, and the family recently moved to a small town, making the titular character’s life challenging as she has to adapt to a new life as a teenager who looks like an older lady. Kimberly meets Seth, a teenage boy who is a social outcast with a heart of gold. They bond quickly and their relationship is sweet as they bond over anagrams and more.

Carmello captures the energy of a teenager along with their sense of adventure and curiosity. She is easily one of the best singers in the production, and it’s no surprise why she got the part. Miguel Gil as Seth is very friendly and delightful and is also a highlight of the show. Kimberly’s family includes Jim Hogan as Kimberly’s dad, Dana Steingold as Kimberly’s mom and Emily Koch as Kimberly’s Aunt Debra. Together, they complicate the title character’s life as flawed characters who try to make life easier for Kimberly. The other high school classmates are Grace Capeless as Delia, Sky Alyssa Friedman as Teresa, Darron Hayes as Martin, and Pierce Wheeler as Aaron, and they help bring life to the high school.

Yes, there was a moment that made me feel uneasy, but the way the show handled it was short and sweet. I was relieved by how the performers handled the romance plot with the big age gap behind the scenes.

The music of Kimberly Akimbo overall is fun and melodic, and there were some gems including Hogan’s speedy performance in “Happy for Her” and Koch’s hilarious performance in “How to Wash a Check.”

Kimberly Akimbo deals with a subject matter that can be depressing, but I believe there is a lot of hope and cheerfulness that helps balance things out. With the topic of a disease that makes someone age faster, I want to inform you that no, there is no sad ending. It has a happy ending and the musical is about finding happiness despite adversities. This should put those at ease who are watching the show and are dealing with something similar.

Kimberly Akimbo is now playing at the Pantages Theatre. Tickets are available at https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/kimberly-akimbo

Featured image credit: Carolee Carmello in the National Tour of Kimberly Akimbo. Photo by Joan Marcus.