Day Off Diary: KIMBERLY AKIMBO’S Bonnie Milligan

For many actors, after a long 8-show week, their one day off is time to rest and recharge. This week, we caught up with Bonnie Milligan, who plays Debra in Kimberly Akimbo down at the Atlantic Theater. Get to know a bit more about Bonnie in her #DayOffDiary: 

Hometown? Originally Decatur, IL and then also Bryan, OH. Essentially? The midwest. 

We spent the day at Lincoln Center. Do you have a favorite memory or show you have seen there? My favorite memory would be performing in the Lincoln Center Benefit concert of Camelot in 2019, as Sir Sagramore, directed by Bartlett Sherr, with an unbelievable cast. The stage is gorgeous, and the dressing rooms are truly the best! My favorite show that I've seen there, has got to be The Light In The Piazza, starring my brilliant costar Victoria Clark. She was magnificent!

Where might we find you on your day off? You would find me at home. I like to sleep in, stay in pjs and watch tv. Sometimes, I'll multi-task and do a little laundry or cleaning too. 

What got you into acting? I've sung my whole life, and have always enjoyed singing solos at church since I was really little, and then I got cast in the fifth grade musical, as an elf who saved Christmas, and I was kinda done for. I've wanted to act ever since.

What was your first ever role? Georganne, the elf who saved Christmas :)

If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing? Oh gosh, I have no idea. I thought a lot about this during the pandemic! I did end up cooking a lot and really enjoyed that, so maybe something culinary?

If you could describe your experience in Kimberly Akimbo so far in just one word, what would it be? Healing.

Who are you jamming to on Spotify right now? I don't actually have Spotify! But I have enjoyed listening to the new Adele album.

What are you binging on TV right now? Succession, The Sex Lives of College Girls, The Bachelorette, Pen15, and Christmas movies.

One Instagram account (besides your own, duh), that we need to be following? @megsstalter is a brilliant comedian who always has hilarious content.

In the show, the characters of Kimberly and Seth are obsessed with anagrams, so we have to ask — what is your favorite anagram? My friend told me this one, Stephen Sondheim — he pens demon hits. Sweeney Todd is definitely one of my favorite musicals.

Favorite coffee joint in Midtown? What’s your order? I don’t always drink coffee, but I do love an iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

Pickles on your burgers? No.

Pineapple on your pizza? No.

What flavor of cream cheese on your bagel? Plain on an everything bagel.

What is one show you are dying to see in New York right now? One of my best friends, Matt Doyle, is making waves in Company right now, and I can't wait to see it! 

Favorite Jeanine Tesori musical, besides Kimberly of course? Caroline, or Change.

Any Dream Role? Mama Rose, Mrs. Lovett, Pennywise.

When you think about opening night this week, what emotions come to mind? Gratitude and joy. I'm so proud of this beautiful show, and I'm so happy to share it with people.

You can catch Bonnie in Kimberly Akimbo which is now in performance at the Atlantic Theater. For tickets and more information, visit here. For more photos, visit Theatrely on Instagram. All photos by Rebecca J Michelson/Theatrely.