The multi-Olivier Award-winning actress and director Maria Friedman has returned to the London stage to lead the European premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo. The production is currently running at the Hampstead Theatre, where it is scheduled to perform until 7 November 2026.
Friedman takes on the title role of Kimberly Levaco, a 16-year-old girl living with a rare genetic condition that causes her body to age four to five times faster than normal. The narrative follows Kimberly as she navigates the complexities of a dysfunctional family, a new secondary school, and her first teenage crush, all while grappling with her own mortality.
From Broadway to London
The production arrives in London following a highly successful run on Broadway, where it secured five Tony Awards in 2023, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. This European premiere is directed by Michael Longhurst.
Friedman’s return to performing follows a major professional milestone as a director; in 2024, she won a Tony Award for her direction of the Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along. In Kimberly Akimbo, she leads a cast that includes Alice Fearn as Debra, Peter Hannah as Buddy, and Niamh Perry as Pattie.
Visitor Information and Tickets
The musical is staged at the Hampstead Theatre, located on Eton Avenue in Swiss Cottage (NW3 3EU).
Ticket prices for the London run range from approximately £40 to £90. The production is confirmed to remain at the Swiss Cottage venue until its closing date in early November.