Understudy Joined: 5/7/11
Obviously, the cast recording will be out soon. It's got to be coming out in very early 2023, meaning Jan. or Feb.
Saw this last night. Absolutely one of the best musicals I've seen in years. Totally worth seeing:
https://humbledandoverwhelmed.blogspot.com/2022/12/cleverly-akimbo.html
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/20
Justin Cooley is so fantastic in this show. One of the best discoveries in the musical theatre in recent years. So much of what I loved from this show stemmed back to his stellar performance.
Akimbo fans/those in the know:
Given the positive trend line in grosses, can I now be hopeful that this will survive into the spring?? I have a trip planned in mid-April and it's at the top of my list!
dwwst12 said: "Akimbo fans/those in the know:
Given the positive trend line in grosses, can I now be hopeful that this will survive into the spring?? I have a trip planned in mid-April and it's at the top of my list!"
They probably need an angel, but it is a small cast and simple production,
...my crablike love.
Can't wait for the cast recording.
BCfitasafiddle said: "Justin Cooley is so fantastic in this show. One of the best discoveries in the musical theatre in recent years. So much of what I loved from this show stemmed back to his stellar performance."
Agreed all around. I thought he was great while I was watching the show, and now every time I look back on it I can see how so much of the show's charm is dependent on his performance. He really pulls it off so spectacularly and my fingers are crossed for a supporting Tony for him.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
dwwst12 said: "Akimbo fans/those in the know:
Given the positive trend line in grosses, can I now be hopeful that this will survive into the spring?? I have a trip planned in mid-April and it's at the top of my list!"
if they can keep the momentium to January/February probably, but I'm sure a cash infusion will be needed
Swing Joined: 11/3/22
I'm an old straight white guy, I saw this last night and I loved it. The audience was mostly young, they also ate it up.
What concerned me was that the theater was only 75% filled during what should be a very busy week. The show is clearly connecting with the Tik-Tok crowd. They knew the cast, they knew the lyrics, I bet they knew the dances.
The question is how to get it to a wider audiences beyond the target demographic, including people in my age group. I saw it because of the Times review (yes it still matters to a few of us) and a recommendation from my adult daughter, but I have not seen much aimed at me or my peers.
Maybe they get Tesori and Lindsay-Abaire more out front to add some gravitas? The show's marketing seems to emphasize the pop fun of the show, but there is also depth and real craft going on here. IMO the should have wide appeal. Thoughts?
Caught this last Sunday for the first time and was disappointed to see Victoria was out. Colleen did a fine job, but I can’t help but feel the show really comes alive with Victoria’s performance at the center of it all. If this runs into the spring I’m seriously considering a rare re-visit specifically to see Victoria. Everyone else was in and did a phenomenal job! I did enjoy the show, but I do feel like I need to see Victoria at some point.
gleek4114 said: "If this runs into the spring I’m seriously considering a rare re-visit specifically to see Victoria. I did enjoy the show, but I do feel like I need to see Victoria at some point."
Please do, Victoria's performance is truly one of a kind!
Chorus Member Joined: 5/3/17
On my recent trip to the city, I caught this as an add-on, last-minute show, and am so very glad I did. A "small"er show than the flashier musicals playing in the same neighborhood, it's richly rewarding and filled with across-the-board rewarding performances. No understudies at my show -- thrilled to have seen Clark's beautiful performance and Milligan's riotously funny (and vocally rip-roaring) supporting turn. Fingers crossed, both of them get Tony Awards. I saw Some Like it Hot the next night and while that was classic musical comedy entertainment, Kimberly Akimbo had more heart and has stayed with me much longer. I'd also argue it's far funnier at times as well. Plus, the music is without a doubt better.
gleek4114 said: "Caught this last Sunday for the first time and was disappointed to see Victoria was out. Colleen did a fine job, but I can’t help but feel the show really comes alive with Victoria’s performance at the center of it all. If this runs into the spring I’m seriously considering a rare re-visit specifically to see Victoria. Everyone else was in and did a phenomenal job! I did enjoy the show, but I do feel like I need to see Victoria at some point."
Absolutely do see it with Victoria Clark. I feel like this is one of those performances where all the praise and hype is 100% deserved.
My heart sank when the usher showed me the understudy slip. Again I wanna say absolutely no disrespect to Colleen who was very good, but Victoria feels like the event in a lot of ways.
NYT Best Theater of 2022
Kimberly Akimbo’ by Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire
The year closed, as it opened, with an unlikely musical translation, in this case turning Lindsay-Abaire’s fine, sad yet whimsical play, first produced in 2001, into an even richer musical. With main characters including the 15-year-old Kimberly, whose genetic condition makes her look like a woman in her 60s, and Seth, a schoolmate so nerdy his best friend is his tuba, it was not an obvious candidate for song. Yet in Kimberly’s profound longings and Seth’s mania for wordplay, Tesori (music) and Lindsay-Abaire (lyrics) found the makings of one of the most beautiful, unexpected scores of the season, to which Jessica Stone’s Broadway staging, a transfer from the Atlantic Theater, gave lovely, low-key expression. And Victoria Clark’s performance as the hopeless yet hopeful Kimberly made us feel somehow that her song was ours. (Read our review of “Kimberly Akimbo” and our interview with the creative team.)
Saw the show again last night and loved it even more! I think Jesse Green really hit the nail on the head with his "sublime cast = best musical" comment. This is my first time seeing all of the regulars since it opened (a few understudies were on last time I daw it) and they have just grown into this show and their characters even more than they already had in previews. Victoria Clark is still everything. Every little glimmer in her eyes melts my heart. The anagram song is still not one of my favorites, but just the way that she looks at Justin throughout that song is Tony-worthy.
Also, I have to shout out the press and marketing team for this show because they are on fire. The press team has been getting them so many different features in newspapers and magazines. The marketing team has funny ads about New Jersey playing over the speakers at Newark airport, they did the whole promotion with Schmackaries, and they've had pop-ups at ice rinks and at Nordstroms. I don't know if it's all going to work (and hope it does), but it's clear that they are putting in the effort and money necessary to have a chance.
jkcohen626 said: "Saw the show again last night and loved it even more! I think Jesse Green really hit the nail on the head with his "sublime cast = best musical" comment. This is my first time seeing all of the regulars since it opened (a few understudies were on last time I daw it) and they have just grown into this show and their characters even more than they already had in previews. Victoria Clark is still everything. Every little glimmer in her eyes melts my heart. The anagram song is still not one of my favorites, but just the way that she looks at Justin throughout that song is Tony-worthy.
Also, I have to shout out the press and marketing team for this show because they are on fire. The press team has been getting them so many different features in newspapers and magazines. The marketing team has funny ads about New Jersey playing over the speakers at Newark airport, they did the whole promotion with Schmackaries, and they've had pop-ups at ice rinks and at Nordstroms. I don't know if it's all going to work (and hope it does), but it's clear that they are putting in the effort and money necessary to have a chance."
The governor of New Jersey also tweeted about it:
https://twitter.com/govmurphy/status/1603456343045771277?s=46&t=Elvb51HbDSZ6OwahN-6veQ
Their merch is also really cute.I got a tote bag and long-sleeved t-shirt. I find that often, cute merch makes a difference in my enjoyment of the show.
jkcohen626 said: "Saw the show again last night and loved it even more! I think Jesse Green really hit the nail on the head with his "sublime cast = best musical" comment. This is my first time seeing all of the regulars since it opened (a few understudies were on last time I daw it) and they have just grown into this show and their characters even more than they already had in previews. Victoria Clark is still everything. Every little glimmer in her eyes melts my heart. The anagram song is still not one of my favorites, but just the way that she looks at Justin throughout that song is Tony-worthy.
Also, I have to shout out the press and marketing team for this show because they are on fire. The press team has been getting them so many different features in newspapers and magazines. The marketing team has funny ads about New Jersey playing over the speakers at Newark airport, they did the whole promotion with Schmackaries, and they've had pop-ups at ice rinks and at Nordstroms. I don't know if it's all going to work (and hope it does), but it's clear that they are putting in the effort and money necessary to have a chance."
Regarding their marketing, it seems like a complete 180 from what they were doing before the show began performances and during early previews. Weirdly I think I saw a tiktok of someone during early previews talk about about how they wished the marketing embraced the shows eccentricities and quirkiness and was not just being sold as a piece of high brow theater. Based on what I am seeing online now, it seems like the marketing team might of listened.
You mean like this?
“The Christmas song you didn't know you needed: a parody of "Sisters" by @lindsayabaire.” #KimberlyAkimbo
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmZcUZdO8fi/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
ShowBro said: "You mean like this?
“The Christmas song you didn't know you needed: a parody of "Sisters" by @lindsayabaire.”#KimberlyAkimbo
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmZcUZdO8fi/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
"
precisely
ShowBro said: "You mean like this?
“The Christmas song you didn't know you needed: a parody of "Sisters" by @lindsayabaire.”#KimberlyAkimbo
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmZcUZdO8fi/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
"
OMG, this is incredible!!! Exactly the type of stuff I was talking about!
poisonivy2 said: "Their merch is also really cute.I got a tote bag and long-sleeved t-shirt. I find that often, cute merch makes a difference in my enjoyment of the show."
I bought the magnet and short sleeved tee. (I collect magnets) I very rarely buy a show tee but I just had to have the one from this show. The last tee I bought was about 5 years ago.
The company will perform on the Today Show tomorrow morning.
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