1/10/2025
Broadway Las Vegas
Carolee Carmello And Miguel Gil In The National Tour Of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, Photo By Joan Marcus
Kimberly is about to turn 16, and she’s navigating the usual challenges of adolescence after arriving in suburban New Jersey. She deals with family dysfunction (her parents mean well but have their own issues, and her Aunt Debra is an actual criminal), her first crush and even possible felony charges.
She also happens to have a rare condition that causes her to age at four-and-a-half times the normal rate, but she refuses to let that slow her down. Kimberly is determined to find happiness against all odds – and embark on a great adventure while she still can.
In short, Kimberly Akimbo is an amazing character, a big reason Kimberly Akimbo – which runs at The Smith Center from February 4-9 -- is such a unique and memorable musical.
The Tony Awards bestowed their top overall honor –Best Musical– to the show last year, while showering the production with four other Tonys, including Best Original Score and Best Direction.
Renowned Broadway actress Carolee Carmello recognized the titular role as a challenge she wanted to tackle. We caught up with the three-time Tony nominee, who has earned acclaim throughout her career for her performances in such Broadway productions as Parade, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, Tuck Everlasting and beyond.
What was it about the role and the story that interested you?
I first saw the show when it was off-Broadway, and it was really funny and very touching. And I always think that’s the best combination for a piece of theater – to be able to make you laugh and feel emotions at the same time. And then I saw it again when it moved to Broadway, and I just really loved the writing.
The character appeals to me because, as a woman in her 60s, I don't often get to play teenagers. Every once in a while, I do a show where I have a flashback scene, but to be able to play a 16 year old for the whole length of the show is pretty challenging, and I thought that would be a fun thing to take on. And it has been. It's been great. I just love her spirit.
It's a story that, in simplest terms, might sound sad initially, but it turns out to be very uplifting.
Absolutely right! It's so funny, it's so witty, it's so charming. It’s young love. It's dysfunctional families. It's high-school drama, It’s a really entertaining and touching show. And I think it is uplifting. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I definitely feel like you walk out of the theater feeling positive. There may be some tears during the show, but at the end of the night, it’s a really uplifting story.
You mentioned getting to play a role that’s a bit unusual for you at this stage of your career, but you also have the benefit of perspective about your own teenage years, which you can draw from.
That’s true, and I've also raised children who have gone through those stages. They're in their twenties now, and I remember those teenage years. There's a certain kind of innocence about it, but there's also an awkwardness, a very self-conscious kind of feeling that people go through at that age. Everything is so heightened when you're 16 years old – everything feels so important at that age. So it’s been fun to tap into that and kind of live inside that body again.
The teenager you're playing is also atypical in terms of her condition.
Somebody asked me at the other night, “Is it emotionally taxing to go through the show each night?” And I said, “Not really.” Because the way she's written, she really has a very positive outlook on life. And I am not necessarily that kind of person in real life. I'm much more of a realist-slash-pessimist. So when I step into her body for the two and a half hours, I feel lighter by the end of the night. I feel like the world is a good place, despite everything that we have to go through. It's still a wonderful life, you know?
Kimberly Akimbo plays at The Smith Center from February 4-9. For tickets, visit TheSmithCenter.com.