Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...I'm a big Tesori fan. Lyric Opera audiences heard her extraordinarily potent music quite recently in the opera "Blue," with the stirring Tazewell Thompson libretto. Although she clearly remembers what it is like to be young and have fun, Tesori's "Kimberly Akimbo" score makes no easy choices; it focus intently on the show's complex emotional landscape as Kimberly strives to teach those far older than herself, and wishes for that one great adventure we'd all like to have before we go."
Chicago Sun Times
- Highly Recommended
"...What book writer David Lindsay-Abaire (who also wrote the play from which this musical is adapted), composer Jeanine Tesori and director Jessica Stone get so right with this high-concept premise is the way they blend the extreme with the ordinary, the aching with the whimsical, the relatable with the ridiculous."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...What felt belabored to me in the play has vanished in the musical version of Kimberly Akimbo, and what remains is a smart and touching meditation on trying to get what you want while you still can, and with the help of people who really care about you."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Recommended
"..."Kimberly Akimbo" has garnered widespread acclaim for its distinctive fusion of humor, emotional depth, and enthralling themes. The performances with catchy songs, are memorable, featuring lovely portrayals that bring the characters to life and offer a unique, still unorthodox combination that some viewers will enjoy. "Kimberly Akimbo" is worth seeing for its out-of-the-box theatrical performance."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...The basic family that we meet is composed of the father Buddy ( the aforementioned Hogan, who is terrific), a drinker , mom, Pattie ( deftly handled by Laura Woyasz) and of course, Kimberly ( played to perfection by Carolee Carmello). When we first meet Kimberly, you will notice that she appears much older than the other teens at the Skating Rink. This is because she was born with a rare disease known as progeria that causes her to age far more rapidly than her years. In the script, on several occasions it is mentioned that 16 years is the average life span for people with this condition. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and her family has just moved to the community and a new lifestyle."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Having enjoyed KIMBERLY AKIMBO in New York, I can promise you that this National Tour is just as wonderful and rewarding an experience as the original production. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is a musical about a teenager who suffers from a little known condition, from which there's no cure. It may not sound like a topic for a lighthearted musical, but that's what makes this show so special. The script explores so many important themes, such as growing up, growing old, dysfunctional families and finding happiness in the face of adversity. It's a Tony Award-winning musical filled with quirky characters, broad humor, songs that make you sit up and listen and a life-affirming message that about living life to the fullest. Please, do yourself a favor-don't miss this very special musical!"
The Fourth Walsh
- Highly Recommended
"...This show is 'unexpected.' Kimmy is 16. Due to a rare aging disorder, she is rapidly approaching the end of her life expectancy. Her mom is a pregnant narcissist. Her dad is an irresponsible drunk. Her aunt is a brassy thug. All Kimmy wants is for them to be normal. She'd like a home cooked meal, a family vacation and a treehouse. This isn't a Lifetime movie about a loving family conquering all. It's unexpectedly messy! The only grownup not flawed is actually a kid. And her huge heart is breaking. KIMBERLY AKIMBO is "Matilda" meets "Big" with a strong side of "Shameless." The horribleness is hilarious. And the resilience inspires and delights!"
Chicago On Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on his own play, and featuring music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), this musical tells the story of Kimberly, who lives with a disease called progeria that causes her body to show symptoms of aging at a vastly accelerated rate: four years for every one. At sixteen, then, she has the body of a woman in her sixties, but the mind of a teenager. (The disease is quite real, though it goes unnamed in the show due to the playwright’s taking some liberties with the symptoms.)"
PicksInSix
- Highly Recommended
"...The national tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” directed by Jessica Stone with choreography by Danny Mefford, opened at the CIBC Theater on Wednesday. The recipient of eight 2023 Tony nominations, that won five including Best Musical, Best Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (who also wrote the original play), and Best Score for Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home”), “Kimberly Akimbo” is the achingly touching story of a teenager navigating a rare disease that has been aging her five years to one since birth."
BroadwayWorld
- Recommended
"...KIMBERLY AKIMBO is as oddball of a musical as its name. But ironically the protagonist Kimberly Levaco, who has an extremely rare, unnamed condition (perhaps similar to progeria) that causes premature aging at 4-5x the normal rate, is the least weird of the people around her. The national tour of director Jessica Stone's 2023 Tony Award winning production has arrived in Chicago; it's often strange, sometimes heartfelt (particularly when accomplished Broadway veteran Carolee Carmello takes the stage as Kimberly.)"
