Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Kimberly Levaco becomes Cleverly Akimbo; Seth Brett Weetis becomes, a touch too perfectly, The Bitter Sweets.
Puzzles require attention, which is the first component of love.
Dont be bummed out by the mention of the Make-a-Wish Foundation:Kimberly Akimbois mostly hilarious.
In the pursuit of laughs, both Lindsay-Abaire and Tesori play with our nostalgia.
(Sarah Lauxs costumes have fun throughout.)
And look, options in New Jersey arelimited, the shows chorus tells us.
They are a quartet from the high schools show choir locked in a terrible pileup of wrong-way crushes.
Im too awkward / Im too bright / Im too anxious / Im polite.
Kimberly is about to turn 16, and her calm is shaken.
Even though Kimberly tries to keep a lid on her exuberance (Its important I have plausible deniability!)
Its probably exactly what Horace was thinking about when he said poetry should delight … and instruct.
Getting older is my affliction, she sings.
Getting older is your cure.
Clark smiles and smiles as Kimberly.
The show manages to stay on the brink always laughing, never quite weeping for its entire length.
The Atlantic Theater Company production is probably bound for Broadway.
But Kimberly would want me to notice the little things.
Like childhood, like life, that which is precious tends to vanish at a distance.
Kimberly Akimbois at the Atlantic Theater Companys Linda Gross Theater through through January 15.
Thank you for subscribing and supporting our journalism.
