Life through Kimberly's eyes will never look the same

Michael Hawthorne and Judy Phelan-Hill in Vintage
Theatre's Kimberly Akimbo; All photos by Ellen Nelson

Every now and then a play comes around that has the power to make people think, and causes the audience to re-evaluate how they treat people in their own lives. The message is strong enough that the effects last hours, and sometimes days, after the play has been seen. Suddenly the person that was lucky enough to see this play is noticing how they treat others, trying to live better, and has perhaps been moved to be a better person because of the message they were given. David Lindsay-Abaire’s Kimberly Akimbo, now playing at Vintage Theatre, is one of these plays.

Directed by Bernie Cardell, Kimberly Akimbo is about a 16 year old girl, trying her best to make it through the everyday challenges that she faces in High School. Unfortunately, Kimberly also suffers from a rare disease that causes her body to age four times faster than it should. She’s 16, but looks like a middle aged woman. However, the trouble doesn’t end there. Her father is fighting a losing battle against alcoholism, her aunt is a scheming criminal, and her mother is a pretty severe hypochondriac. Along the way, she meets Jeff, a nerdy and outcast teenager that is doing a report on her condition for class. Jeff and Kimberly bond, as he looks past her appearance and is able to see Kimberly for the beautiful person she is. Her family struggles with their own issues, as well as a new baby that is on the way. They get so caught up with the new baby and dealing with the latest schemes from Aunt Deborah that Kimberly’s birthday is forgotten. It is her 16th birthday, and that is the average life expectancy of people with her condition. Together, the unconventional family face some very real issues, issues that anyone can relate to and everyone does.

Judy Phelan-Hill takes on the role of Kimberly, and she is simply magnificent. She truly embodies every mannerism and vocal pattern of an insecure and shy 16 year old girl. It is Phelan-Hill’s portrayal that allows the audience to accept the circumstances of this play and go along for the ride. In one specific moment, Kimberly is forced to dress as an old lady, while trying to help her Aunt Deborah pull off another con. The look on Phelan-Hill’s face said more than any monologue could have. This is the power of truly great acting. No words were needed to show just what she was feeling in that moment.

Gene Kato, in his last performance in Denver, is also heart wrenching as Kimberly’s father. He struggles to prove that he is a good man, but he is struggling with alcoholism and his marriage, and just wants to be a good father. In a monologue that opens the second act, Kato shows just how strong of an actor he truly is. Janelle Christie plays Kimberly’s hypochondriac mother, and for the most part she also succeeds beautifully. Her performance is a bit more over the top than the others, she is a bit disconnected to the rest of the cast, however for her character, it seems to work. This is not a warm and loving mother, and the fact that Christie is more disconnected from the cast seems to support the separation of her character from her own daughter.

Libby Rife’s Aunt Deborah is hilarious and devious, animated and real, loving and cruel. She cares about Kimberly, but only so far as it will help herself, and Rife carries the demands of the character superbly. Rounding out the cast is Michael Hawthorne as Jeff. Hawthorne is simply charming. He also embodies the physicality of a insecure and geeky teenager, and the audience finds themselves truly rooting for young Jeff and Kimberly. Hawthorne’s Jeff is perhaps the only character in the entire play who offers Kimberly what she really desires – unconditional love.

Director Bernie Cardell has outdone himself with this show. In his most shining achievement to date, Kimberly Akimbo is a must see. Every single performance is strong, believable, and heart breaking. Cardell also balances the comedy and the drama beautifully as the comedy is a large focus. Each laugh is a welcome break from the impending issues that Kimberly will face.

The set, designed by Christopher Wink is also something that must be seen. The script calls for very fast scene changes, and it is important that the scene changes go quickly, so not to take the audience out of the rhythm of the play. To accomplish this, Wink designed a large Wheel Of Fortune-style wall of boxes, that turn around to reveal the scene, and then turn back around when a different scene is needed. Then there is the haunting sound design by John Thornberry. The job of any sound designer is to create mood without being too noticeable, and Thornberry has done an incredible job. Specifically the end of Act 1. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the sound elements in this scene will certainly keep you feeling the impending doom, and you won’t be sure why.

Kimberly Akimbo is small theatre at its best. This is why small theatres like Vintage Theatre work. This is a Must See. Kimberly Akimbo is playing through June 14th, so you only have a couple more weekends to check it out. Go now. You will be glad you did.