The Tony Award-winning musical ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ is traveling the country on its first national tour and making a highly anticipated stop at the Academy of Music from Oct. 21 to Nov. 22. The show tells the story of Kimberly, a teenager who recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. Her rare genetic condition makes her look decades older than she is, but that doesn’t stop her from navigating family drama, first crushes, and the challenges of growing up.
Abington native Jim Hogan, who plays Kimberly’s dad, Buddy, is a familiar face to local audiences with roles in ‘The Secret Garden’ and ‘Ragtime’ at the Arden Theatre Company. He’s also toured nationally with ‘Waitress,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Spring Awakening,’ and later made his Broadway debut as the original standby for Buddy in ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’ Outside of the show, Hogan is part of the vocal group T.3 which went viral over the last few years following an appearance on ‘America’s Got Talent.’
Hogan talked to Metro more about his Philly roots, his favorite moments from ‘Kimberly Akimbo,’ and where you might spot him between performances.
Growing up in Abington, what was your earliest Philly-theater memory?
My earliest memory was actually the Archdiocesan Boys Choir of Philadelphia’s production of ‘Oliver!’ I was in the ensemble and couldn’t get enough of it. Then, when I was in 8th grade, my sister’s high school production of ‘Cinderella’ was going to be canceled if more boys didn’t sign up. I asked if I, as an eighth grader, could do the show, and they said yes. That’s when I was really bit by the bug.
How did performing at the Arden and other local theaters influence your path to Broadway?
The Arden was instrumental in my path to Broadway. It is my absolute favorite theater. They gave me my first professional job that started the day after I graduated from college, my equity card, and my most treasured and artistically fulfilling moments have all been within their doors. They are so encouraging and smart, and demand an excellence from you that is so inspiring.
Your vocal group, T.3, went viral after appearing on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ How do you balance performing in a Broadway show while recording and touring with T.3?
‘Kimberly’ as a company has been so incredible and lovely working with T.3. Over the three years I’ve been doing ‘Kimberly,’ they have graciously given me the time I need to tour and make T.3 work. Without their kindness, I don’t know what would be happening with T.3, so I really owe them a lot for helping me make both happen.
For those unfamiliar with ‘Kimberly Akimbo,’ who is Buddy and what is his significance to the story?
Buddy is Kimberly’s dad who is just trying his best to be a good father, but falters often. He is fun, he is kind, but alcohol and the troubles of life have gotten to him. He is significant in the story because while he loves Kimberly more than anything, he can’t always show it correctly, and that catapults her into finding her own path forward.
Between Broadway and the tour, you’ve been a part of ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ for a while — what have you noticed about the way audiences connect and respond to the show?
I love our audiences here at ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’ It’s been really interesting to bring this around the country. I feel like the biggest differences we feel are the reactions to the New Jersey jokes, and that makes me really excited for Philly because everyone will understand them here.
Do you have a favorite song or moment in the show?
My favorite has always been ‘Our Disease.’ I think it does perfectly what only musical theatre can do — it tells us so much about something so small that we all understand while we watch people give a class presentation and all the nervousness and adolescence that brings up. Then we get to see the greater metaphorical meaning of what “disease” means when we enter Kim’s mind. Movies can’t do that, only musical theater can bring us to those places.
‘Kimberly Akimbo’ is also about teen friendships — any favorite memories or hangout spots from your high school days?
My favorite teen hangout is still my favorite hang out today — WAWA!
Since your girlfriend Emily Koch plays Debra, Kimberly’s aunt, do the two of you have any traditions on the road or go-to ways to spend time together offstage?
Emily and I have both toured a lot before, so our favorite thing to do is to go back to restaurants and coffee shops that we loved from our other tours. It makes you feel at home in a place that isn’t even your home. You will definitely catch us at Double Knot when we get to Philly.
With this being ‘Kimberly Akimbo’s first national tour, why do you hope Philly audiences come see the show?
I hope Philly comes to witness a truly human story. Philly is filled with the most salt-of-the-earth people, and that’s what this story is about — real people in difficult circumstances doing the best they can. That’s how I think of Philly too. And of course they come to poke fun at New Jersey with us.
‘Kimberly Akimbo’ will be at Ensemble Arts Philly’s Academy of Music from Oct. 21 through Nov. 2. Additional ticket information is available at ensembleartsphilly.org.
