And that’s what I love about this show.

Kimberly Akimbo is a “small” show. With a cast of just nine and no special effects, this show relies entirely on a brilliant script, wonderful music and hysterical lyrics, sets that don’t overwhelm and performances that each received a standing ovation.

Ann Morrison is perfect as the 16-year-old Kimberly who suffers from a genetic disease that ages her at four times the normal rate and has a life expectancy of 16. As the new kid in school, she works to fit in and succeeds.

But not right? As far as I’m concerned, you gotta love a show that pokes fun at one of those $19-a-month nonprofits — in this case Make a Wish — with not one but two songs that pick the agency apart. Tell me it’s not true that they make grantees pick three wishes and then grant the cheapest.

And Kimberly, or more precisely her aunt Debra, goes down having the shortest coming out scene on record. Personally, I hate coming out stories filled with angst as much as Debra does, so I love this scene that Emily Koch executes perfectly. “Gay. Straight. Gay. Straight,” she says pointing at the four high school students that comprise the chorus. “There, I just saved you years of heartache.” Boom. Nailed it.

And the four person ensemble is as good as any 20-member, over-produced chorus weighing down lots of Broadway productions. Their production of “One Disease,” a song that has you rooting for Scurvy, is, again, perfect.

Kimberly’s parents have a wonderful relationship, even if mom is pregnant while her 16-year-old daughter went through menopause four years ago.

And while I say this is a show without special effects, the snow was enchanting. And how was the cast ice skating on a wooden stage? That was magic enough for me.

The humor’s in the music as well as the props and performances. Yes, a mailbox is funny. So is a tuba. Marcus Phillips plays it terribly with perfection.

Kimberly Akimbo deserved its five Tonys including one for best musical. It’s in Dallas at the Winspear for two weeks through Jan. 18. Go see it for an evening of laughter, high school the way I remember it and lovingly dysfunctional relationships.

— David Taffet

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