Kimberly Akimbo at Knight Theatre

How far can you search for happiness, in the cruel and unfair game called Life? The story of Kimberly Akimbo, might just be all about that, and more. Written at the start of the millennium by the award-winning David Lindsay-Abaire, Kimberly Akimbo is a show that tells the classic story of Time, Identity, and Resilience.

Kim is a intellegent, humerious, and determined Jersey Teenager, with a condition similar to Progeria, A disorder that gave her the appearance of a 72-year-old woman, making her physical age four and a half times older than her actual age. Directed by Jessica Stone, the cast starred Victoria Clark as Kimberly, with Justin Cooley, Steven Boyer, and more. The show has won several prestigious awards including 5 Tony Awards, and a Drama Desk Award in 2023.

The two and a half hour show, which made its first appearance on Broadway in 2022, is a walk through a normal teen, with an a rare condition, going through ordinary high school experiences including her first love, dynamic family, and identity crises. Presented by the astonishing Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, the performance is debuting in Charlotte, on Wednesday 16th April 2025. The musical combines the two polarities of a teenager, one struggling with unreal aging issues, and the other as a standard teen going through her phases.

Kimberly Akimbo has the power to hit home with the audience through curiosity, and deep reflection, regarding one's life perspective and the strength to overcome adversity with self-assurance, regarding one’s life point of view and the strength to challenge suffering. While packing so many life lessons behind the curtain, the show can also be incurably funny, and dark humored. Kimberly uses her humor as a coping mechanism for life and much of the emotional burden that was unfairly placed on her shoulders.

Kimberly’s most intimate relationship is with her friend Jeff, a sophomore in high school, a wordsmith, and socially awkward yet seems to confide well with Kimberly, mostly because of their innocent and emotional complexity. Besides her posetive relationship with Jeff, one can hardly say more, her mother “Pattie”, is an anxious, abruptly detached and emotionally unavailable often seeming to be caught up with her emotions. “Buddy” Kimberly’s father is an probelm drinker who usually fails to portray a good father figure, and then there is “Aunt Debra” dubious con-artist, who’s entire interest was pulling successful scams at any cost.

Don’t undermine the show by the coloring, and braces, Kimberly Akimbo can take you on an emotional rollercoaster, of frustration, compassion, and hope, all at once. This masterpiece will join the gathering in the fabulous Charlotte, on Wednesday 16th April 2025, at the splendid Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts. Secure your seat now, and enjoy some good old Broadway at just $347.