BWW Reviews: KIMBERLY AKIMBO Engages Spectators

I finished off my theatre marathon with a trip to Theatre Downtown to see KIMBERLY AKIMBO. I was prepared for anything, since I have definitely had mixed experiences at this theatre. I have to say I was very pleased with what I saw today.

First, I will start with the technical. There are many different scenes in this show and scene changes could have been their downfall. Done quickly, quietly and efficiently, they are not. Several scenes occur in the kitchen and this is built beautifully and permanently. With "working" appliances and every detail finished (baseboards, things in the cabinets and clocks, etc on the wall) I have nothing to complain about. When not in the kitchen, a scrim is pulled and the action continues in front. Well thought out, minimal but nice moving pieces are used in conjunction with some projections on the scrim to take you to these other locales. Lighting cues and sound cues (and there are many) are flawless as far as I could tell. And when one of the character's water broke, I realized I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open. It happened so naturally and impeccably.

As for the actors, I have to say the 5 person cast is spot on. Kelsey Crawford as Pattie, Kimberly's pregnant mom, is loud and obnoxious, while caring more than she can let herself show. Debra, played by Beth Ashton, is also loud and over the top, but thinks everything she is doing is just fine. While good in their roles, Stephen Mangina as dad Buddy and Will Davis as Jeff are just no match for the stage presence of the women in the cast. All of the adult characters are way too involved with themselves to realize what is going on with the young folks. It makes for some funny, but also very meaningful moments.

Carole Armistead, as 16 year old Kimberly is exactly what she needs to be. Wise beyond her years and with a condition called progeria, which makes her age 4 ½ times faster than normal, Ms. Armistead, a grandmother in real life, plays the role with youthful bravado and snark. She walks the line between an aging body and a young mind. Near the end, when she and Jeff decide to kiss, you see it on their faces long before the deed is done. Curiosity, fear, shyness and desire are read on both faces, once again showing that those quiet moments are usually the most powerful.

I thought I was slipping in at the end of the run, but I am happy to say that KIMBERLY AKIMBO runs for one more weekend, Thursday, April 30 through Saturday, May 2 at 8pm. I have to say that I wish the theatre companies in town would look at each other's schedules and not all do their shows on the same weekend! I have seen 4 shows this weekend and have 3 more next weekend. Plus I missed several because there are only so many nights in a weekend. Later, I will go weeks with very little to see. Whatever the scheduling difficulties, I hope you will get out and see several plays next weekend or at the very least one of these I have recommended.

If you want to see KIMBERLY AKIMBO (and I think you should!) call 205-565-8TDT or go to theatredowntown.org

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