Kimberly Akimbo
Working in the Broadway Industry, there a lot of shows that inspire me. In fact, one of the things that gets me through the business side of Broadway is seeing the shows, hearing from the artists, and watching or being a part of the creative process. Broadway IS entertaining, but it is also inspiring. Theatre / Art should always inspire... feeling, thoughts, creativity, action, and our hearts.
Which brings me to Kimberly Akimbo.
I specifically want to talk about the main character, Kimberly Levaco. She goes through a lot of shit in this story - and she has a heavy heavy weight to bear for a teenager. She is facing an early death, looks and acts different than her peers, and is dealing with all the ridiculousness of being a high schooler in the late 1990's. Add to that parents who are difficult, but seem to actually care in their own way, and a criminally crazy, hysterical aunt who definitely cares about Kim - again in her own way... and Kim has got a lot going on.
She has a lot to be down about. I mean... this girl has a LOT to be down about.
Yet... after a scary near death moment in Act 2, she decides to take action and live her own Great Adventure with her friend (boyfriend) Seth. She essentially takes Aunt Deb's advice and when life gives you lemons - you gotta go out and steal some apples 'cause who the fuck wants lemons.
And that is, I think, the message of Kimberly Akimbo. You can't wait around for life to get better - you can't wait for your love to be requited from someone who can't do that. You can't wait for your parents to care more than they do already. You can't wait for someone to give you permission to be wholly you.
You just have to believe in yourself and do it.
And I think part of that message (and what I've been gleaning lately) is that you need to live out how you want other to treat you too... if you want people to be nice to you, be nice to them. If you want to be given opportunities, create them as well. If you want friends, be a friend.