Meet the characters of KIMBERLY AKIMBO
Credit: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Main Character
A whip-smart, deeply empathetic sixteen-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age four and a half times faster than normal. Despite her circumstances, Kimberly is sharp-witted and resilient, navigating adolescence with humor and insight. Filled with a desire to experience life fully, she dreams of escaping her dysfunctional home life and finding a sense of belonging and adventure.
A quirky, socially awkward high school boy who plays the tuba and works at Skater Planet. Seth has a fascination with puzzles and anagrams, which he uses as a way to connect with Kimberly. Underneath his shy demeanor, he is kind-hearted and is able to look beyond Kimberly's physical appearance to appreciate her intelligence and humor, forming a genuine bond as her biology partner and eventual partner in adventure.
Kim's loving but severely flawed - and often inebriated - father. Buddy clearly loves his family and cares deeply for his daughter, even though he often falls short. While unreliable, irresponsible, and rarely keeps his promises, he has poignant moments of earnestness, regret and wants so badly to be a better husband and father.
Kim’s loud, brash, and eccentric aunt who always seems to find trouble, dragging others along with her. Unapologetically manipulative, Debra is a schemer with a wild sense of humor and a penchant for illegal get-rich-quick plans. Despite her questionable morality, she shares an unexpected camaraderie with Kim and is able to truly "see" her in a way that neither of her parents can.
Kim's overbearing and self-absorbed mother - and the second adult to whom Kimberly parents. Pregnant with her second child, Pattie is a bundle of fear and frustration, often venting her anxieties through sharp words and neglecting Kim due to her own preoccupations. Despite her many shortcomings, she loves Kim and struggles to reconcile her daughter’s reality with her own dreams.
As the new girl in school, Kimberly is quickly embraced by those on the lower end of the social ladder: the show choir kids. These four friends provide some hilarious moments throughout the musical not only for their passion for performing! They are a quartet locked in a terrible pileup of wrong-way crushes: the soprano loves the tenor, who loves the bass, who loves the alto, who loves the soprano.
Martin Doaty
A member of Kimberly’s circle of friends, Martin harbors unrequited feelings for Aaron. He is a bit self-conscious but finds joy in performing with his show choir group. His awkwardness makes him endearing, even as he navigates teenage angst.
Delia McDaniels
A passionate, somewhat dramatic teen who is deeply infatuated with Teresa. Delia is spirited and theatrical, throwing herself into the group’s show choir performances and Aunt Debra's criminal scheme alike.
Teresa Benton
The confident, outgoing member of the friend group. Teresa is oblivious to Delia’s crush on her as she harbors feelings for Martin. She has a knack for leadership, though her plans often go astray due to the group’s mischief.
Aaron Puckett
Another member of the friend group, Aaron is quiet and introspective, often lost in thought. He secretly pines for Delia while being oblivious to Martin’s crush on him. His gentle nature contrasts with the chaotic energy of the group.
Kimberly has a rare genetic disorder that causes her to age four and a half times as fast as normal, thus trapping her inside the physical body of an elderly woman.
While Kimberly's condition is completely fictional it mimics progeria, where the average life expectancy is only 16 years.
David Lindsay-Abaire got the initial idea for Kimberly Akimbo after a friend said how his newborn was like this little old woman trapped in a baby’s body.
Credit: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
