Kimberly AkimboShubert TheatreNew HavenMay 14, 2026 A group of teenagers with typical teenage problems are spending a Saturday night at the local ice-skating rink, but one of them appears to be not so typical. Kimberly Levaco has a rare genetic disorder that rapidly ages her. The story of how sh e navigates those teenage problems with her condition while also being a part of a not-so-typical family is the basis of the equal parts hysterical and heartbreaking musical Kimberly Akimbo. The winner of five 2023 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) began the final stop of its national tour at the Shubert Theatre Thursday night, charming everyone with its story of how time, despite what The Rolling Stones told us, is not always on one’s side. The original story, written by David Lindsay-Abaire, began as a play, then was adapted into a musical (with the book and lyrics also by Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori) that premiered Off-Broadway in 2021 and then on Broadway in 2022 where it ran until 2024. The show centers on Kimberly and how she maneuvers through a world with the knowledge that most people with her condition usually don’t live past the age of 16. It also highlights the machinations of her chaotic family members – her prone-to-lying pregnant mother, her prone-to-being-drunk father, and an aunt who is prone to breaking the law in order to get what she wants – as well as a crew of classmates who each have their own conflicts (and crushes). Speaking of crushes, Kimberly has one of those, too, on classmate Seth, who her dad thinks is too “weird” for her, but who has his own crush on Kim. One of the great joys of this show is how adept it is at showing that Kimberly’s more obvious affliction may be considered a “problem” by many, but every single person in her life has their own problems they are trying to overcome. The story and the songs capture the frustration of being stuck somewhere, whether it be your body, your house, or New Jersey. Early in the show we see Kimberly – played with charm by Ann Morrison — writing a letter to the Make A Wish Foundation. Through the song “Make A Wish,” we hear about her wanting to be a model and to go on a cruise. We also hear about her wanting a “normal” day with her family with dinner around the kitchen table. She yearns both for adventure and a sense of calm and camaraderie. So, when her Aunt Debra (played loudly and lewdly for a ton of laughs by Emily Koch) offers her not just attention but a possible way to get way more than she has, she jumps at the chance, even if it means putting herself and her friends in a law-breaking situation. One does not have to have the same condition as Kimberly to understand the limits of time. The show conveys that teenage feeling of each day away from adulthood feeling as slow as molasses and the boredom of small town where the tiniest changes seem big. It also excels at showing how each person in her life has their own issue they are trying to maneuver and yes, even regrets, but that our differences are something we all have in common. Kim wants to embrace who she is, regret nothing, and grab as much of life while she can. In her classmate Seth (played with quirky kindness and charm by Marcus Philips) she finds a companion who wants to help her do that. The music is magical, the songs varying in topics from diseases the teens are presenting in their biology class (“Our Disease”) to Kim’s dad being equally “Happy for Her” that she has a boyfriend but also incredibly nervous about it; to “How to Wash a Check,” the song where Aunt Debra gets to shine and show off her “skills.” Every performance ended with a burst of applause and cheers from the Shubert audience, and you could hear people discussing their love for the musical during the intermission and after it concluded. In the end, it was not hard to fall in love with everyone, especially Kimberly and Seth, their friendship, their honesty, and their drive to be exactly who they are. Early on in the show we find out that Seth shines at creating anagrams out of people’s names. He turns Kimberly Levaco into “cleverly akimbo.” It suits her and serves as a starting point for the changes she wants to make in a life that knows it has limits, but does not fear becoming limited by them. Realistically, we are all here on a limited amount of time, and we can all do with that information what we like. Take inspiration in Kimberly’s journey, embrace who you are, and don’t waste a single moment of it. “Kimberly Akimbo” is playing through Sunday at the Shubert Theatre. Tickets are still available through their website. The post The Rolling Stones Were Wrong appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less