3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Undervalued Black Comedy, November 24, 2006
This review is from: Kimberly Akimbo (Paperback)
Judging by the reviews, this wild and wacky comedy was not fully appreciated when, after a run at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, Ca., it was later staged in New York. Though it's true the play tends to crumble at the very end, and therefore seems to that extent more a work in progress than a fully satisfying whole, some of its scenes surpass anything Lindsay-Abaire has done before or since. The conceit, for instance, of having a child age at a rate faster than her parents, while it has been used before, here freshly shows a satiric author less interested in literal medical history than in the sad discovery that many contemporary American parents, themselves self-centered and immature, force their children in mind and spirit to become the more fully recognizable adult members of a household. The business of ageing, thus, has a wonderfully comic metaphorical import. The adults in the play, hilariously enough, are chiefly interested in themselves, in playing childish board games, in attempting con jobs or in hoping to visit more of the endlessly proliferating "theme parks" in an America whose very history has been grotesquely commercialized.
The central role in the play, a triumphantly conceived one, affords any good actress of a certain age an opportunity to show fully what she can do. The part requires at first the words and convincing body language of a perky teenager and then the manner and appearance of a combination of, say, the late Rose Kennedy and a bag lady. This part, to Lindsay-Abaire's credit, is a great theatrical "role," and when I saw it performed the central actress in fact fully deserved what has otherwise become a meaningless ritual in our current theater, the standing ovation. With luck perhaps the playwright will revisit this work, strengthen the ending, and give it the revival or film version it surely deserves.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspired Lunacy but very touching at times, August 12, 2008
This play is inspired lunacy. A hypochondriac mom, a lesbian ex-convict aunt, and a hard drinking sad sack dad are the family that rapidly aging Kimberly has ben saddled with. Loads of fun but very touching at times, especially in the scenes with Kimberly's anagram loving friend. It is laugh out loud funny and has 5 great parts for actors. I think most readers will enjoy the play but I believe it really takes the actors to lift it. Enjoy!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
INSPIRING!! FREEING!!!, July 7, 2008
More beautiful, whimsical, touching, absurdist fare from David Lindsay-Abaire--in the vein of another terrific young playwright, Napoleon Ellsworth. It seems as though these two writers (along w/ perhaps Padriac Duffy) are spearheading a revolt against the dead, naturalistic world of theater. And it couldn't've happened a moment too soon! BRAVO!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
