The musical “Kimberly Akimbo” is being reviewed for its comedic and heartfelt approach to a bizarre premise, with Maria Friedman playing a 15-year-old whose rare genetic condition makes her age about four times faster than her peers. Reviewers highlight the lively staging and Friedman’s performance as central to the production’s impact.
Both outlets describe the show’s core scenario: Kimberly grows older much more quickly than others while living in a dysfunctional family, and the story turns the resulting bleakness into humour through songs and plot elements. The Guardian also notes the musical includes unexpected subjects in its numbers, such as cheque fraud and scurvy, while emphasizing that the show remains “sweet” and sustaining in tone.
The Independent focuses on Friedman’s ability to make the role engaging, describing her as shining in the part of the teenager with the rare condition. The Guardian adds broader context, stating the work began as a play in 2001, became a musical in 2021, and previously won five Tony Awards on Broadway, framing the London production within its earlier acclaim.
