Broadway At The Paramount KIMBERLY AKIMBO January 7 - 12, 2025 Opening Night Review
KIMBERLY AKIMBO
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by: Jessica Stone
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
Review: Tuesday January 7, 2025, 7:30pm Performance
The first Broadway At The Paramount show of the new year was, “Kimberly Akimbo” - the multi Tony Award winning musical - which opened last night.
I had reviewed a version of the play by the wonderful local theatre company As If Theatre Company back in 2019. So, I went into this musical version thinking I had a decent understanding of what I was about to see. I was right and wrong on that score.
As always I tend to leave the plot points to each patron to take in fresh at their respective performance. What I can say is the theme of living for today, not waiting until tomorrow, was apt for the start of a new year. 2024 didn’t end on the best of notes for myself and 2025 started on a bum note as well, so this theme was something I needed to hear as a gentle reminder about life in general.
There were many aspects to recommend about this show. Carolee Carmello as Kimberly was a joy to watch. I love it when a performer is so good at their job that I as a patron feel like I’m in the best of hands. That was indeed the case with Ms. Carmello. She was stunning in every way.
Not to be outdone, Miguel Gil as Seth was so spot on with his timing all throughout the show. His quirky high schooler mannerisms mixed with his seemingly effortless comedic and dramatic timing was a perfect match for Carolee Carmello’s Kimberly.
Emily Koch as Aunt/Sister/Sister In Law Debra made her presence felt in every scene she was in. She commanded the stage and walked that line of being likeable even though her character of Debra is beyond flawed to put it mildly.
Jim Hogan as Buddy and Dana Steingold as Pattie played Kimberly’s parents with comedy, drama, and sadness. Both characters are actually quite awful people so it takes a certain level of performance to make the audience care about them but Mr. Hogan and Ms. Steingold rose to the occasion.
The “kids” were harmoniously wonderful. Grace Capeless, Skye Alyssa Friedman, Darron Hayes, and Pierce Wheeler all had moments where they became the focus even if only for a brief minute. They were integral parts of the production and there were no weak links amongst them. None.
If I were to pick at anything, it would be that the songs weren’t really that memorable. The lyrics were at times funny and definitely fitting, but I couldn’t hum you one of the melodies today, nor recite any of the lyrics.
I also initially had a raised eyebrow about the casting of Pattie - strictly from a point of view that she didn’t seem like Kimberly’s mother at first. Yes, I know she had Kimberly early in life but when I saw Pattie and Bud together in Act 1, it seemed more like Bud was with another daughter. But, that has zero to do with the performances. It just didn’t work for me until later on in the show.
If you’re familiar with the play, you will definitely notice some differences between the musical and the play such as the *spoiler* choir contest.
Overall, “Kimberly Akimbo” was a solid show with themes that will resonate with almost every one that attends a performance. It’s worthy of your time and money.
“Kimberly Akimbo” runs through January 12th. Purchase tickets: HERE! (opens in new window)
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by: Jessica Stone
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
Review: Tuesday January 7, 2025, 7:30pm Performance
(Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil in the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, photo by Joan Marcus.)
The first Broadway At The Paramount show of the new year was, “Kimberly Akimbo” - the multi Tony Award winning musical - which opened last night.
I had reviewed a version of the play by the wonderful local theatre company As If Theatre Company back in 2019. So, I went into this musical version thinking I had a decent understanding of what I was about to see. I was right and wrong on that score.
As always I tend to leave the plot points to each patron to take in fresh at their respective performance. What I can say is the theme of living for today, not waiting until tomorrow, was apt for the start of a new year. 2024 didn’t end on the best of notes for myself and 2025 started on a bum note as well, so this theme was something I needed to hear as a gentle reminder about life in general.
There were many aspects to recommend about this show. Carolee Carmello as Kimberly was a joy to watch. I love it when a performer is so good at their job that I as a patron feel like I’m in the best of hands. That was indeed the case with Ms. Carmello. She was stunning in every way.
Not to be outdone, Miguel Gil as Seth was so spot on with his timing all throughout the show. His quirky high schooler mannerisms mixed with his seemingly effortless comedic and dramatic timing was a perfect match for Carolee Carmello’s Kimberly.
Emily Koch as Aunt/Sister/Sister In Law Debra made her presence felt in every scene she was in. She commanded the stage and walked that line of being likeable even though her character of Debra is beyond flawed to put it mildly.
Jim Hogan as Buddy and Dana Steingold as Pattie played Kimberly’s parents with comedy, drama, and sadness. Both characters are actually quite awful people so it takes a certain level of performance to make the audience care about them but Mr. Hogan and Ms. Steingold rose to the occasion.
The “kids” were harmoniously wonderful. Grace Capeless, Skye Alyssa Friedman, Darron Hayes, and Pierce Wheeler all had moments where they became the focus even if only for a brief minute. They were integral parts of the production and there were no weak links amongst them. None.
(The National Touring Company of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, photo by Joan Marcus.)
If I were to pick at anything, it would be that the songs weren’t really that memorable. The lyrics were at times funny and definitely fitting, but I couldn’t hum you one of the melodies today, nor recite any of the lyrics.
I also initially had a raised eyebrow about the casting of Pattie - strictly from a point of view that she didn’t seem like Kimberly’s mother at first. Yes, I know she had Kimberly early in life but when I saw Pattie and Bud together in Act 1, it seemed more like Bud was with another daughter. But, that has zero to do with the performances. It just didn’t work for me until later on in the show.
If you’re familiar with the play, you will definitely notice some differences between the musical and the play such as the *spoiler* choir contest.
Overall, “Kimberly Akimbo” was a solid show with themes that will resonate with almost every one that attends a performance. It’s worthy of your time and money.
“Kimberly Akimbo” runs through January 12th. Purchase tickets: HERE! (opens in new window)
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email
(Dana Steingold, Emily Koch, Carolee Carmello and Jim Hogan in the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, photo by Joan Marcus.)
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