Barrington Stage Co., Pittsfield, MA
through July 16, 2016
by Jarice Hanson
Director Rob Ruggiero has crafted a delightful production of
David Lindsay-Abaire’s dysfunctional family in “Kimberly Akimbo.” He gets
plenty of help from a group of actors who seem to delight in the ensemble work
necessary to make this cock-eyed play work, and a production team that shares
his vision for a play that moves fast with sets, lighting, and music all
keeping the momentum going.
A large part of the success goes to the talent of Debra Jo
Rupp, an actress with a likability factor so high that it’s off the charts. In
her portrayal of Kimberly, the teenager with a genetic disease that causes her
to age at an accelerated rate, Rupp’s small frame ages from gawky to elderly.
Her face registers the successful career Rupp has had in decades of character
and leading roles she’s had, but her youthful voice is one of her gifts, and
she uses it effectively to portray Kimberly’s unique view of the world. People
with Kimberly’s condition rarely live much beyond sixteen, so the audience
wants a happy ending. But will they get it?
Kimberly has some major obstacles, beside the fact that her
body is aging so rapidly. Her father Buddy, (Chris Thorn) is an unreliable
alcoholic. Her mother, Pattie (Jessiee Datino) is pregnant and a hypochondriac.
Her Aunt Debra (Jessica Savage) is a criminal who ropes Kimberly and her nerdy
classmate Jeff (charmingly played by Adam Langdon) into a scheme that drives
much of the story. And despite how different each character is, there are
moments of pure connection and delight among them. The adults are like
children, and the children become adults.
The author sets the action in present-day New Jersey and
many of the portrayals and jokes allude to Jersey stereotypes, but this
interpretation of the play is much like the character of Kimberly. You can’t
change what life gives you, but you can choose to do the best with what you’ve
got.
The production will make you laugh, but you’ll also see a
first-rate team at work, and as a bonus, you’ll get a master-class in acting
from the talented Debra Jo Rupp.
