In New Jersey lives a sweet teenager named Kimberly Levaco (Carolee Carmello), who only has weeks or months to live. She has a genetic disorder known as progeria that makes her age four or five times faster than her peers. While her friends are going through puberty, Kimberly has already gone through menopause. The average lifespan for people with this disorder is 16 years and Kimberly’s 16th birthday is just around the corner.

    Kimberly is well aware that her days are numbered, so she is trying to seize the day and make the most out of her heartbreaking life.

This is the subject of the 2023 Tony-award winning musical, “Kimberly Akimbo,” playing at The Fabulous Fox Theatre now through April 6. It doesn’t sound like something anyone would want to sing about, but it’s written in a way that does not make it a downer. Instead, it’s often upbeat and funny.

        Director Jessica Stone has given it many moments of melancholy, empathy, and silliness. It is based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire, who also wrote the book and lyrics.

Kimberly has an Aunt Debbie ((Emily Koch) who has come from Texas to crash in the Levaco family’s basement for a while. Aunt Debbie is a piece of work. She’s loud and crass and has left Texas with a criminal record. In addition to her perfect comedic timing, she also has a voluminous speaking and singing voice. Occasionally, she’ll let some foul language rip. Aunt Debbie seems to understand Kimberly better than her cold-hearted parents do and treats her somewhat like a normal teenager. In spite of their familial bonds, Debra is not above involving Kimberly and her high school friends in an illegal, money-making scheme.

       Carolee Carmello plays the role of Kimberly like a fiddle. Her speaking voice and mannerisms are just like a 15 year-old’s, but it’s plain to see that she is a woman who can sing with a beautiful adult voice, when necessary. Her friend, Seth (Miguel Gil) is a perfect peer partner for her. He seems to not even notice that she looks years older than he does. When they’re assigned a science project that involves partners, Seth suggests to Kimberly that they team up and give a presentation on her rare disorder.

Kimberly and Seth have a lot in common, including their dysfunctional families.

    Kimberly’s mother and father are onstage through much of the show. Her mom, Pattie (Laura Woyasz), is pregnant and has both of her wrists and hands in casts after carpal tunnel surgery. A trip to the ice rink to celebrate Kimberly’s 16th birthday results in a leg brace for the pregnant mom. Kimberly’s dad, Buddy (Jim Hogan), is an irresponsible alcoholic who doesn’t hide his hopes for the new baby to be “normal.”

        Much of the dialogue in “Kimberly Akimbo” is sung, sometimes like poetry. As far as I’m concerned, the accompanying music by Jeanine Tesori was more background music than stand-alone songs. The music fits the situations, but most of the songs aren’t memorable. There are 21 songs in all that are well-executed by the entire cast, but you won’t leave the theatre humming them.

Four of the harmonizing singers who portray geeky teenagers like ice skating and singing in show choir. These four standouts (Grace Capeless, Skye Alyssa Friedman, Darron Hayes, Pierce Wheeler) so desperately want new costumes for an upcoming singing competition that they willingly join in Aunt Debbie’s illegal scheme. This is where Act II picks up speed and makes “Kimberly Akimbo” an enjoyable show about a teenager who is at death’s doorstep.

         When it was time for the curtain calls, I was anxious to hear the audience’s reaction. The cast was rewarded with thunderous applause, the loudest going to Carolee Carmello and Emily Koch.

You’ll have to see “Kimberly Akimbo” yourself if you want to know how this unique story ends. It will be playing at The Fabulous Fox now until April 6. Tickets are available through Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or visit The Fox box office. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Photos: Kimberly’s 16th birthday party; she and her good friend , Seth on the couch in one of several times where they talk about their lives, and photo of Kim’s dad takes the two teens on a wild fantasy car ride to the many places she’s dreamed about visiting