‘Kimberly Akimbo’ Brings Its Ageless Spirit to Hollywood and, Soon, Costa Mesa

It’s quite the Southern California homecoming for the five-time Tony Award-winning musical, Kimberly Akimbo. The unique, off-the-beaten path production, which only debuted in 2021, was actually seeded twenty years prior to that at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa.

Then, it was a play by David Lindsay-Abaire who, in the ensuing two decades alongside composer Jeanine Tesori, supplemented his poetic words with equally thoughtful lyrics. The result is a critically lauded show where The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, though in reverse, meets the year 1999. And with the first national tour in full swing, it will return to Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on January 21st, 2025, only steps away from where it saw its seminal beginnings. In the meantime, it’s in the midst of its run at the Pantages (through November 3rd) where attendees will be met with an enduring message on the ephemerality of life.

Three-time Tony Award-nominee Carolee Carmello portrays almost 16-year-old Kimberly Levaco who has recently moved to Bergen County, New Jersey with her father Buddy (Jim Hogan), a sardonic alcoholic, and zany mom Pattie (Dana Steingold) who has her wrists wrapped (after getting double carpal tunnel surgery) and is pregnant with her second child.

While Kimmy has made friends with other teens, including Seth (Miguel Gil) who has taken a shine to her and affectionally bestowed an anagram of her name (“Cleverly Akimbo” — hence the title of the musical), she is afflicted by a rare genetic malady that accelerates her aging at four-to-five times the normal rate; this disease also becomes the topic of a biology class presentation. Despite the acute awareness of an abridged life expectancy, Kim has only a few humble wants — a treehouse and to visit Six Flags Great Adventure.

Adding to the drama is that Kimberly’s cheeky black-sheep aunt Debra (Emily Koch), who is motivated to make money through fraud, gets Kimmy and her peers entangled in a check-washing scheme where “everybody gets what they want.” As the plot threads reach an existential crescendo, it becomes clear that the selfless Kim is wise beyond her years as one who enlightens not only the characters around her, but the observers who are seated on the other side of the fourth wall.

Jim Hogan, whose character Buddy is demonstrably affected by these onstage developments, recently discussed with LAexcites how he approaches Buddy, what he’s learned about (and from) his persona, the meaningfulness imparted by the musical, what it has been like working alongside his significant other Emily Koch (Debra), and more.

Given the protagonist’s age-progressive condition, with a life span no longer than 16 years, Kimberly Akimbo explores notions of time, aging, and living in the moment before it’s too late. How has performing in this musical affected your own perspective and actions with respect to these themes?

Hogan: This musical has really changed everything for me. I was so affected when I originally saw it Off Broadway. I just feel more free, more adventurous, and more compassionate. It really makes you remember that time here is short, special, and you should seize every day. 

Your character Buddy, Kimberly’s father, seems more complex than what might be observable on the surface. He meddles in his daughter’s business, is an alcoholic (though not an irredeemable one) and experiences guilt, anger, betrayal, and other emotions. How did you learn to balance these different impressions in a way that makes Buddy whole and genuine?

Hogan: Wow, this is an amazing question. I have always felt like I know Buddy. For better or for worse, but I think more people are like Buddy than they would care to admit. I think that’s been the biggest thing — is tapping into the parts of myself that maybe I don’t love so much. But, that in itself, has been healing.

I would imagine your stage persona resonates with a lot of people who know a “Buddy” in their lives. I’m curious to know any comments or questions you’ve received from audience members following the show — when you were a standby on Broadway and now that you’re a featured performer — and if any of that feedback has influenced the way you play Buddy.

Hogan: Honestly, people have been lovely. Something I have noticed occasionally is someone having trouble looking me in the eye at the stage door, and that always shows me that the truth of him has come through and that they may have encountered a ‘Buddy’ in their lives. It breaks my heart but I hope something like ‘Hello, Baby’ shows them how much the ‘Buddys’ in their lives love them even if they aren’t great at showing it.

From your point of view, what might be the most notable differences between the way the show (or Buddy) was presented on Broadway versus the national tour?

Hogan: I’d say there really isn’t a ton of difference. The biggest would be just the scale of theaters on the road in general. They are so much bigger than our theater on Broadway so to make sure the stakes and story read, we have amped up the size of the performances a bit, but the same truth is there regardless. 

In addition to being an accomplished actor, you’re a successful musician and singer who is part of a touring trio called T.3. Among the handful of numbers your character sings in Kimberly Akimbo, which is the most fulfilling for you –- “Happy for Her,” “Hello, Baby,” “The Inevitable Turn,” or “Before I Go”?

Hogan: This is truly impossible to pick. David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori are our greatest living writers in musical theater so anything they have written, they have done so specifically and so well. It’s an honor to sing their work every night; I feel so, so lucky.

You’re in the musical with your significant other Emily Koch who depicts Debra — Buddy’s criminal sister-in-law who returns to your character’s family and teaches Kim and her teen friends “How to Wash a Check.” That sounds like a fun part and, ostensibly, you and Emily have a fair amount of stage time. What’s it been like traveling and working together?

Hogan: We are having an amazing time. We met doing the first national tour of Waitress in 2017, so this is our second tour together. We are both very independent, so we are great about doing our own thing but, honestly, we hardly ever need alone time because we get along so well. Being onstage together feels so natural and fun and it’s fun to hate each other in the show, too [laughs].

Cover image caption: Carolee Carmello, Miguel Gil, and Jim Hogan in the national tour of Kimberly Akimbo. Photo by Joan Marcus

Kimberly Akimbo runs through November 3rd at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. For more details, and to purchase tickets, visit broadwayinhollywood.com. The musical will also run at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts in 2025 from Tuesday, January 21st through Sunday, February 2nd. For more information on that engagement, and to buy tickets, visit scfta.org.