Two David Lindsay-Abaire shows on local stages: ‘Ripcord’ at Open Book, ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ at the Fisher

 

Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award-winning American playwright, lyricist and screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire will have shows on two local stages in March: “Ripcord” at the Open Book Theater in Trenton and the musical “Kimberly Akimbo” at the Fisher Theater in Detroit.

OPEN BOOK THEATRE PRESENTS ‘RIPCORD’

Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Ripcord,” a comedy with heart, March 14 to April 6 at the theater, 1621 West Road.

The show, which has both humor and warmth, follows prickly Abby, who is forced to share a room with upbeat Marilyn at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility.

Abby has managed to avoid having a roommate through the sheer force of her rude personality, which has no impact on bubbly and cheerful Marilyn. The two engage in a bet: If Abby can break through Marilyn’s patience and make her angry, she’ll move out, and if Marilyn can successfully frighten Abby, who claims to never become scared, Marilyn will get the bed by the window.

As the two embark on increasingly emotional and physically dangerous tricks to “break” each other, the two enemies find their way to becoming friends.

Director Kevin Keller said that after hearing a comment from a fellow actor that most plays never have more than one older leading lady, he was challenged to find shows that defied the notion, and discovered “Ripcord.”

“The script stood out because it’s absolutely bonkers, and I could not believe the places that this show goes to and the jokes coming out of the characters’ mouths,” he said. “But mostly I fell in love with the women at its center as they explode beyond the archetypes and have some genuinely touching moments beyond the humor.”

Keller said society tends to overlook or avoid thinking about characters’ later years, so the layered humor of the show humanizes two women that society would otherwise overlook.

“People are going to love this show,” he said. It takes ‘The Odd Couple’ and flips it on its head while amping the comedy up.”

Linda Rabin Hammell, who plays Marilyn, said that while it is challenging to play a character so different from herself, their personalities are rubbing off on each other.

“I’m going to miss her when the show closes,” she said. “And she, that hussy, will blithely go on to the next actor who plays her!”

Hammell said “Ripcord” is a great antidote to current troubling times.

“It presents hard moments of reality to ground our feet of clay, and adds a satisfying wallop of zaniness to keep our spirits soaring,” she said. “This is a show for everyone.”

Connie Cowper, who plays Abby, said squaring off against Hammell has been “pure joy.”

“Her character is the yin to my yang, and I think audiences will enjoy our antics as we square off to get what we want,” she said. “The script gives us all opportunities to be zany and silly, yet our story includes themes of friendship, the love of family, and in discovering hope and joy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.”

Jordan Climie, who plays Derek, said the script brilliantly combines both the comic and heartfelt scenes.

“People will enjoy this show because it’s silly, and they’ll be roaring with laughter, and then the heart will hit you,” he said. “It will be a complete 180, with the dramatic tension suddenly filling the space.”

Amy Schumacher, who plays Colleen, said audiences will enjoy the show because they can relate to the characters.

“They may be a little more extreme and quirkier than most, but I know I can see people I know in all of these characters,” she said. “This cast of characters gets into the wackiest situations, but there is so much heart buried beneath the shenanigans.”

Also in the cast are Camden Maccagnone, who plays Scotty, and Foster Johns, who plays Benjamin, Lewis and a clown.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 3 to 5, with 2 p.m. March 16, 23 and 30 and April 6 matinees.

Opening night tickets are $37, which includes an afterglow, with all other performances $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors and $17 for students.

To order, call the box office at 734-288-7753 or go to openbooktc.com.

 

MUSICAL ‘KIMBERLY AKIMBO’ MAKES ITS DETROIT PREMIERE AT THE FISHER

“Kimberly Akimbo – a new musical” makes its Detroit debut March 11 to 23 at the Fisher Theater.

The show, the winner of multiple awards, including five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, features book and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori, and is based on the non-musical play by Lindsay-Abaire.

Kimberly Akimbo is a 16-year-old girl who has a genetic disorder that causes premature aging, causing her to look like a woman in her 70s. As she deals with her unique condition with humor and resiliency, she also copes with family dysfunction and her first crush.

Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness and embark on adventure against all odds.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 11 to 15, and 18 to 22, and 6:30 p.m. March 16 and 23, with 2 p.m. March 15 and 22 and 1 p.m. March 16 and 23 matinees.

Tickets start at $35, and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com.