The Only Kimberly

Unique, dark comedy 'Kimberly Akimbo' opens at Redwood Curtain

Created by the quintessentially quirky playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, the plot takes place “in the wilds of suburban (Secaucus) N. J.” and is described as “a hilarious and heart-rending play about a teenager with a rare condition that causes her body to age faster than it should.”

The resulting dubious circumstances of this unusual teen's personal plight are heightened by the daily necessity of contending with her decidedly dysfunctional family: a rarely-sober dad, hypochondriac mom and scam-artist aunt.

In addition to dealing with them, she's also becoming frightened as she ponders both her own impending mortality, as well as the equally unknown approaching perils of first love.

However, due to her paradoxical physical situation of being an aging woman trapped inside her small, never-growing “teenage-appearing” body, neither Kimberly's actual life-span nor her romantic relationships have real answers.

But, since this play is liberally laced with the playwright's unique, dark sense of humor, Redwood Curtain audiences can depend on seeing a fascinating show that will lighten the thought-provoking subject matter with lots of ironic laughs.

Those who saw the company's previous productions of his “Fuddy Meers” and “Wonder Of The World” will certainly know what I mean. And, those who didn't, are sure to be in for a mesmerizing experience that's always fully loaded with the unexpected.

”Kimberly Akimbo's” impressive ensemble cast features Adina Lawson in the title role, surrounded by James Hitchcock, Elisa Abelleira, Peggy Metzger and Kody Dennis who portray the rest of the equally-intriguing characters.

”What really made me choose Adina for this role, when she auditioned,” director Cassandra Hesseltine said, “was when she jumped up into the air (and clicked her heels together, like a little Irish leprechaun), and I went, oh my god, she's Kimberly.

”Because the fact that she could move like that, and still be older and have this older, mature look (in this tiny little body that the character had to have, was really amazing.”

Hesseltine also found out that Lawson could indeed “move like that” because she's a certified yoga instructor, who does her own, personal yoga workout every day.

Questioning My Independence | The Kim Challenge

 

Toto, we’re not in Brooklyn anymore.

I’m out in the burbs celebrating Independence Day with my hometown friends, and those crazy kids I like to call Mom and Dad. The last few times I’ve been home the thing that has struck me most is how grown up every one seems to be. My friends own houses (some with fire pits and giant American flags in the backyard), have cars, are planning weddings, and popping out babies.

I’m still living the same life I was when I graduated from college. I still live in a rented Brooklyn apartment, I’m still single (okay, actually when I graduated from college I had a boyfriend, so my 21 year old self is actually winning this comparison), I’m still trying to make my way in the artistic community, and I can still stumble in at 2am from a night out on the town. Sometimes this feels like an awesome reality, and sometimes, times like now when I’m surrounded by people that actually seem to be growing up, I feel like an overgrown teenager.

How old do you have to be before you’re officially an adult?