“Kimberly Akimbo,” the five-time Tony Award-winning musical, is coming to Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts from Feb. 10 - 15.
The show follows the story of Kimberly Levaco, a 16-year-old high schooler who suffers from a genetic disorder causing her to age rapidly. But instead of a sense of foreboding, the story inspires hope in its viewers by forcing them to examine their own mortality and make the most of the time they have.
Gabby Beredo, who plays Delia, a member of the show’s teen ensemble, said, “It is such a telling story of how you can be a better person for the people around you and [how] to be more empathetic.”
Although this is not Beredo’s first national tour, it is her first professional role as an adult. With her past professional credits including “Matilda” and “Annie,” “Kimberly Akimbo” offers Beredo a chance to portray a more mature character.
“I think the most different part about the role is that she's just in high school, and she's assertive rather than other roles that I've played… Delia's pretty much a leader,” Beredo said.
Delia is a driven and fierce high schooler who not only knows what she wants, but also wants to ensure others reach that success along with her.
“[She] can totally be perceived as bossy, but I see her as a fierce, empowered girl,” Beredo said. “My favorite part about playing Delia is being able to play a character that is just so driven.”
In the real world, Beredo is similarly working to make her own dreams come true as well.
She is a sophomore at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and uses the tools she learned at CCM in her performances every day, even as the show has forced her to take a gap year.
“In conservatory style, you're acting, singing and dancing your whole day. That has really helped me build this stamina to be able to do eight shows a week,” Beredo said.
The Kimberly Akimbo National Tour has travelled across the country, but Beredo’s favorite stop was New Orleans.
“New Orleans was just so vibrant,” Beredo said. “I mean, the city's culture is just bursting at the seams: there's just so much food to try, jazz music playing on the streets and so much art all around. It was so inspiring to be there.”
When she has time off, Beredo enjoys relaxing or exploring the cities they visit.
“Lately, I've been doing a lot of coloring. I love having something to do while I watch movies. I'm really trying to watch all of the Oscar-nominated movies before the Oscars,” she said. “I’m either just being cozy in my hotel room or exploring the cities, the art museums and the food.”
Tickets are still on sale for “Kimberly Akimbo” at the Overture Center for the Arts.
“Come see Kimberly Akimbo,” Beredo said. “You're gonna laugh, you're gonna cry and you're gonna leave the theater feeling inspired to choose joy every day.”
