Anglo musical theatre: David Lindsay-Abaire/Jeanine Tesori’s «Kimberly Akimbo»: Carpe diem

par Yanik Comeau (Comunik Média / ZoneCulture)

   I was familiar with David Lindsay-Abaire’s work through translations of his plays produced by Duceppe in the last fifteen years, Rabbit Hole (Le Terrier) and Good People (Du Bon Monde) and I knew he’d worked on the musical adaptation of Shrek. I had been impressed with his talent for creating rich, moving characters and sharp, crisp dialogue which had even transpired in Yves Morin et Maryse Warda’s respective translations. With Segal Centre’s co-production of Kimberly Abimbo with David and Hannah Mirvish, the musical adaptation of Lindsay-Abaire’s own stage play, the audience is once again submerged in a singular, character-driven universe where humour and emotion are intertwined.

Louise Pitre (Kimberly) and Thomas Winiker (Seth) are so sweet as outsiders finding each other.

   As played by Montreal musical theatre royalty Louise Pitre, the teenaged Kimberly Levaco, who suffers from a fictional condition inspired by the existing condition progeria, is trying to live a next-to-normal life in suburban New Jersey, going to school and trying to hide her dysfunctional family from her peers who look 50 years younger than her. Set to Jeanine Tesori’s score (Fun Home, Shrek the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Lindsay-Abaire creates punchy, fun songs which music director Chris Barillaro (La Géante, Belmont, La Corriveau – La Soif des corbeaux) brings to life with beautiful harmonies by the cast while also giving us introspective balads that move the story forward while also giving us insight into the characters’ thoughts and dreams.

Taylor Lovelace (Teresa) and Luca McPhee (Delia) play clueless-in-love teenagers to a tee.

   Robert McQueen’s direction of the piece is lively and never-a-dull-moment without compromising the emotional depths of the play. Surrounding Louise Pitre on stage are Tess Benger and Cyrus Lake as Kim’s very pregnant mom and very irresponsible dad. Both have great solos that bring comical moments as well as poignancy. After having to cancel a few performances because of Kristen Peace (Debra) becoming ill, the show re-opened with Quinn Dooley stepping in to play Kim’s scruffy, n’er-do-well aunt and knocking it out of the park, carrying around a few pages of script while barely looking at them. Remarkable! Although Kimberly’s schoolmates Teresa (Taylor Lovelace), Aaron (Jake Cohen) and Martin (Kyle Jonathon) are all excellent and harmonize amazingly well in their group songs, I was particularly impressed by Luca McPhee in the role of Delia and completely blown away by Thomas Winiker’s stupendous performance as the shy, awkward, nerdy, borderline autistic but thoroughly charming and cute Seth. I wouldn’t say he steals the show, but… wow! I just can’t wait to see him on stage again and again!

Group songs are wonderfully harmonized in Kimberly Akimbo.

   All in all, Kimberly Akimbo is a sweet, moving musical that totally fits in at the Segal Centre where Artistic Director Lisa Rubin has made it an art to bring intimate musicals to the Sylvan Adams stage. Pure, delightful fun!

Kimberly Akimbo Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire based on his play Music by Jeanine Tesori Directed by Robert McQueen With Louise Pitre (Kimberly Akimbo), Tess Benger (Pattie), Jake Cohen (Aaron), Kyle Jonathon (Martin), Cyrus Lane (Buddy), Taylor Lovelace (Teresa), Luca McPhee (Delia), Quinn Dooley (Debra, stepping in for Kristen Peace) and Thomas Winiker (Seth) Choreographer: Allison Plamondon Associate Choreographer: Meghan Caine Music Director: Chris Barillaro Associate Music Director: Nick Burgess Set Designer: Gillian Gallow Costume Designer: Louise Bourret Associate Costume Designer: Rachel Quintero Faia Lighting Designer: Andrea Lundy Assistant Lighting Designer: Andrea McMillan Sound Designer: Deanna H. Choi Sound Associate: William Fallon Stage Manager: Sarah Miller Assistant Stage Manager: Trevor Barrette Apprentice Stage Manager: Julia Carrier A Segal Centre and David and Hannah Mirvish co-production November 23^rd to December 21^st, 2025, dark on Fridays, performances on Saturday (7:30pm) and Sundays (2pm, 7:30pm), Mondays 7:30pm, Tuesdays 7:30pm, Wednesdays 1pm and 7:30pm, Thursdays 7:30pm (Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes with intermission) Sylvan Adams Theatre Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal Box Office: 514-739-7944 Photos: Emilia Hellman