The new musical “Kimberly Akimbo” will make you laugh out loud and break your heart. The Tony Award-winning production features a small cast with a big message and hilarious characters who navigate their world the only way they know how: singing, dreaming and a little grand larceny.

Broadway veteran and three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello takes the lead role in the production, playing a 16-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition that makes her age rapidly. As Kimberly Levaco, the 62-year-old Carmello portrays the character perfectly, mingling cringy teenage angst with the existential dread of an early death. 

While the topic could be heavy and maudlin, the show never falls into a “woe is me” sentiment, choosing instead the bigness and brightness of life. 

Kimberly’s parents have their own issues and dark secrets. Her mom Pattie (Dana Steingold) is attention-seeking and selfish, while her dad Buddy (Brandon Springman) battles his demons with alcohol and regret. Their relationship ebbs and flows as Kimberly wants a normal family she can rely on. 

Making his national tour debut, Miguel Gil plays Seth, a high school dork and sweet kid who just wants to do the right thing. Seth becomes friends with Kimberly as they bond over messed-up families, anagrams, loss and a biology assignment. Gil portrays the character with ease and humor, a complete contrast to Seth’s awkward insecurity. 

When Kimberly’s charismatic (and criminal) aunt Debra shows up (Emily Koch), she embroils Kimberly in a money-making scheme that could end terribly. Koch easily steals each scene with her powerhouse vocals and New Jersey attitude. 

Kimberly’s friends Delia (Grace Capeless), Martin (Darron Hayes), Teresa (Skye Alyssa Friedman) and Aaron (Pierce Wheeler) are uneasily navigating sexuality and a show choir competition.

Clever staging, fast-changing set designs, memorable lyrics and defined characters make this show soar as Kimberly finds her way through life, love and one last adventure. The show is recommended for ages 10 and up, but it contains strong language, crude humor and alcohol use.

Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek) and Best Score by Jeanine Tesori, the musical is choreographed by Danny Mefford and directed by Tony-nominee Jessica Stone. 

“Kimberly Akimbo” plays at Eccles Theater through Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are available at SaltLakeCity.Broadway.com.