Kimberly Akimbo completes cast for UK premiere

Full casting has been revealed for the European premiere of Kimberly Akimbo at Hampstead Theatre. 

As revealed exclusively by WhatsOnStage earlier this year, Maria Friedman will lead the show as Kimberly Levaco. The production will be directed by Michael Longhurst and marks a return to the stage for Friedman in the title role.

Joining Friedman will be Alice Fearn as Debra, Peter Hannah as Buddy Levaco, Gilli Jones as Seth Weetis and Niamh Perry as Pattie Levaco.

Also joining are Sara Hajizadeh as Teresa Benton and Ronav Jain as Aaron Puckett, who are both making their professional stage debuts, Robin Simões da Silva as Martin Doaty and Aviva Tulley as Delia McDaniels.

Written by David Lindsay-Abaire with music by Jeanine Tesori, the musical premiered in the United States and went on to win five awards at the Tony Awards in 2023, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

The story follows 16-year-old Levaco, who lives with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age at four times the normal rate, as she navigates adolescence while aware of her limited time.

Performances will be running from 28 August to 7 November.

 Longhurst said: “I am thrilled to have cast such amazing talent to join the legend that is Maria Freidman to play her dysfunctional family and lovestruck classmates in Kimberly Akimbo. I can’t wait to get under the skin of David’s hilarious script and Jeanine’s incredible music with them all.”

The creatives joining director Longhurst are designer Soutra Gilmour, musical supervisor Nigel Lilley, choreographer Matt Cole, lighting designer Jack Knowles and sound designer Matt Peploe. Casting is by Anna Cooper.