Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre opened its 2014-2015 season with a successful staging of playwright David Lindsay-Abaire’s dark comedy, “Kimberly Akimbo,” now playing through Oct. 11.
Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre opened its 2014-2015 season with a successful staging of playwright David Lindsay-Abaire’s dark comedy, “Kimberly Akimbo,” now playing through Oct. 11.
Revolving around 16-year-old Kimberly Lovaco (played by Layla Stuckey) whose advanced stage of progeria causes her to age four times faster than normal. Being a teenager trapped in an 85-year-old body is the least of Kimberly’s worries, as she has to contend with an alcoholic father, her pregnant hypochondriac mother and a scheming crook of an aunt. Being the one in the with the most needs, Kimberly is the cornerstone of the family, more parent than child and the only one with realistic expectations.
With perfect amounts of humor and solace, thanks to Lindsay-Abaire’s well-written script and an expertly rounded cast, the play is refreshing, but not for the faint hearted or sensitive ears due to its high velocity of foul language, which in this case adds meaning and depth to the story being told.
The balancing of Kimberly’s juxtaposing dualities could have been mangled if not done properly, but in Stuckey’s capable hands it becomes believable. She never overdoes any aspect of Kimberly’s personality and Stuckey gives her character the proper amounts of aged frailty and youthful wisdom.
As Kimberly’s mischievous and homeless aunt, Debra, Danielle Gulihur steals every scene she is in. Hilarious, audacious and vulgar, Gulihur gets the best lines in the play and never misses the opportunity to coat every cheeky put-down with ample amounts of venom and vaudevillian tongue in cheek. She resembles a human rat, scurrying all over and under the stage, her face caked in enough grime and dirt to make even Oscar the Grouch applaud.
As the Lovaco family patriarch, Buddy, Steve Schmitz gives a vulnerable and touching performance. His monologue is heartbreaking, giving us a glimpse into a father who just wants to do right by his family.
Aimee Marie Holland plays Kimberly’s mother Pattie with a grandiose flourish. While her performance sometimes goes over the top, she always reels it back in with a touch of humanity.
Rounding out the cast is Brendan Cahalan as Jeff, Kimberly’s nerdy schoolmate who takes a liking to her. Cahalan plays the geek extremely well and his comedic timing was second to none.
While the actor’s brought the thunder, the play would have been nothing without its unsung heroes—set designed by Craig Everett and costumes by Esther Skandunas. From the fully stocked fridge in the kitchen to the tattered beanie on Debra’s dirty head, no detail was spared in bringing the Lovaco’s story to life. And very comical throughout the play is a collection of nickels that grows for every swear word spoken. It is amazing that such a simple prop can bring meaning and laughter at just the right moments.
The only disappointment in the play is the finale. It felt tacked on and did not match the tone of what came before it. Aside from that minor quibble, the Stagehouse Theatre produced a strong first entry in their new season.
Next up for the theatre is a staging of Bill Irwin and Mark O’donnell’s “Scapin” a vaudevillian face about two rich playboys up to no good that starts on Nov. 13 and “The Fun Factory”, a tribute to silent cinema and its creators, which begins its run on Dec. 5.
