Fossil Ridge High School’s theater program’s reputation helped earn the opportunity to be the first high school in the world to perform Broadway’s “Kimberly Akimbo.”
Fossil Theater Director Mikayla Assmus said the licensing agent for “Kimberly Akimbo” saw Fossil’s work with the 2023 production of “Alice by Heart” and was impressed.
“[The licensing agent] trusted us with telling the story,” Assmus said. “It’s a pretty big deal that we’re the first high school in the world to get to do this. So it’s a really special show.”
“Kimberly Akimbo,” written by David Lindsay-Abaire, is a musical about a teenage girl named Kimberly born with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age rapidly. On top of her condition, she undergoes starting a new school, her first crush and family dysfunction. Against all odds, Kimberly is determined to find happiness in her adventure of life.
(Mia Potter)
Assmus said being the first high school to produce the play requires some extra communication with the licensing company.
“So it’s a lot more communication on my end, but in terms of choreography and direction and rehearsals, it’s pretty much the same as any other process,” she said.
Both the cast and stage crew for the production are small, and everyone has to be prepared for opening night. Senior Lily Howell, the stage manager, has to be ready to fix whatever may come in the moment.
“While set pieces are being finished, it’s possible for a prop or set piece to break,” she said. “If that happened on stage while I am calling cues, I will let my backstage people know over our headsets and help them come up with a plan on how we should move forward smoothly.”
The cast and crew hope the audience thinks about the musical’s themes of perseverance and optimism.
“I hope the audience takes away just how precious life is and how kind of the theme is that we only get one chance at life, and that you should take advantage of it the most you can and just have an optimistic attitude,” said senior Macie Patrias, who is playing the lead role of Kimberly Levaco.
Kimberly Akimbo opens Thursday and continues through Saturday. Buy tickets on frhs.booktix.com
