Kimberly Akimbo was the big winner at the 2023 Tony Awards, taking home five trophies — including Best Musical — thanks in large part to Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Best Original Score-winning work. Beginning next week, Nashville audiences can experience this heartwarming hit for themselves as Kimberly Akimbo arrives at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on April 8. Based on Lindsay-Abaire’s charming 2001 comedy of the same name, the story follows a teenage girl struggling to navigate life at a new high school, a wildly dysfunctional family and a rare genetic condition that accelerates the aging process. It might seem to be a rather unlikely setup for musical comedy, but Kimberly Akimbo offers plenty of quirky characters, offbeat humor and a surprisingly tender reminder to approach life as the “great adventure” it is. Directed by Tony nominee Jessica Stone (Water for Elephants), Kimberly Akimbo features choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen), and the cast of this national touring production includes three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello in the title role, along with several actors from the original Broadway company. AMY STUMPFL