Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- "Kimberly Akimbo," by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 18-20 in East Stadium's Purple Masque Theatre at Kansas State University.

A comedy, the play is about Kimberly, a 16-year-old girl whose problems go far beyond what others her age might ever experience. She must cope with a very out-of-the-ordinary physical disorder that causes her to age four and one-half times faster than normal. The humor comes in the antics of Kimberly's zany, dysfunctional suburban New Jersey family: a hypochondriac mother, a rarely sober father and a scam-artist aunt -- all mixed with Kimberly's own mortality and, most terrifying of all, the possibility of first love. The play puts a new spin on family dysfunction and redefines the term "young at heart."

The K-State Theatre production is directed by LeAnn Meyer, master's student in theatre, Topeka. Lighting design is by John Uthoff, assistant professor of theatre, and the university's Introduction to Lighting Design class.

Tickets cost $4-$7, plus applicable taxes and fees. Discounts are available for students, faculty, staff, seniors and military families. Tickets can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by calling 785-532-6428 during box office hours. Tickets also may be purchased at the Little Theater box office at the K-State Student Union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday or online at http://www.k-state.edu/theatre.

Students in the cast and crew of "Kimberly Akimbo" include:

Derrick Weishaar, junior in fine arts, Lawrence, scenic design; Nahshon Ruffin, senior in theatre, Manhattan, as Debra; Briana Koczan, senior in theatre, Olathe, costume design; Olivia Sieck, senior in theatre, Overland Park, assistant stage manager; Victoria Ptacek, freshman in theatre, Russell, stage manager; Joey Boos, junior in theatre, Salina, as Jeff; Dillon Artzer, master's student in theatre, as Buddy, and Emily White, junior in theatre, scenic design, both from Topeka; and Sarah Boatman, sophomore in theatre, Tyro, as Pattie.

From out of state: Tracena Marie, master's student in theatre, Slidell, La., as Kimberly.