Kimberly Akimbo - Ordway - March 2026

Kimberly Akimbo

Book & Lyrics by David Lindsay- Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesoro

Review by Ernest Edwards

I went to the closing performance of the National Tour of the Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo at the Ordway Sunday evening.  It’s part of the Broadway @ The Ordway 2025/2026 season.  

What I loved from the program was the description of when the musical takes place. “1999. Before kids had cell phones. Somewhere in Bergen County, NJ.” The musical is a small cast of 9, who do big things.  

This musical did win the Tony Award for best musical in 2023.  

The story is about Kimberly, who just turned 16. Kimberly has Progeria. For the tour, she is played by Ann Morrison, who was part of the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along back in 1981.  I missed the tour of Kimberly Akimbo when it was at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis in Spring 2025. I was happy that the Ordway had it in downtown St. Paul for one week with the dates of February 24, 2026 - March 1, 2026.  It was worth the wait for me. Kimberly and her parents just moved to town. Kimberly is trying to make new friends at the local high school and is going to the ice skating rink with the other high school kids. Her parents are expecting another child. They are hoping this next child will be “normal”. 

We learn why Kimberly and her parents moved. They ran away from something her Aunt Debra did. Debra is now in town and up to no good. Instead of getting a job at the local Costco, Debra decides to get into check fraud. 

This musical has a lot of heart of and soul. Kimberly finds a new circle of friends. Finds the strength to live life on her own terms, and is allowed to follow her dreams. 

I really liked the scenery by David Zinn.  It was a unit set, but had lots of reveals. Scenery appeared and disappeared effortlessly. The scenery transformed between the house, to the high school, the high schools library, a classroom, the skating rink, to Kimberly’s bedroom seamlessly. 

Check out the rest of the 2025/2026 Broadway @ the Ordway season.  Up next is Mrs. Doubtfire: A New Musical Comedy (March 17 - March 22), Monty Python’s Spamalot (June 10 - 14), and Six The Musical (June 17 - 28) round out the rest of the 2025/2026 season.  A National Tour of Dirty Dancing The Musical will be launching from the Ordway with the dates of August 12 - September 6, 2026. Check out www.ordway.org for tickets. 

And Then There Were None - Lyric Arts - February 2026

And Then There Were None

By Agatha Christie

Review by Ernest Edwards

I was at opening night of the Agatha Christie play And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts. I did some research online and learned that the between the dates of 1964 - 1984, the play had the title of Ten Little Indians.  

As you walk into the theater, you can’t help but notice the scenery. I loved that the scenery was not squared with the back to the stage. The angle gave it such versatility. Plus, I liked watching the mantel full of toy soldiers, and watching the the number going down as the play progressed. I was far enough back that I couldn’t read the poem over the fireplace mantel that predicted the order of the deaths. That was a nice reference for the cast to go back to as the play progressed.  

This play has a strong ensemble cast.  

The story takes place on a remote English island. There’s two new servants, and eight guests. The host is delayed by a day. We quickly learn from a vinyl record that these guests were all brought here for a nefarious reason. There’s no phone, no boat, no way out. One by one, the guests and staff start to perish. Their candles get snuffed out by the Grim Reaper. Who is behind this? In Agatha Christie fashion, all is revealed in the end. I was shocked by the revelation myself. Then again, it made sense. I will not give that spoiler away, you will have to go and see this play.  

The story is told very well. It keeps you glued to the action. Trying to figure out what’s going on, who is next, and who is behind it all, and why? 

In addition to Justin Hooper’s Scenic Design, I also really enjoyed Brody’s Byinton’s Sound Design. With this play taking place on a remote English Island, the sound of wind, rain and waves was in the background throughout the entire play.  Alyssa Kraft’s Lighting Design really shown in the darkest moment of the play. One evening the lights were out on the island, and the cast had candles.  That scene took place in the dark, with only so many candle to light the way. It added to the eeriness of the play. 

If murder mystery’s are your thing, then get to the Main Street Stages in downtown Anoka to see the play And Then There Were None. It’s a good whodunnit.  Check out www.lyricarts.org for tickets.