Broadway's 'Kinky Boots' - My Review

Kinky Boots is currently running at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City. Harvey Fierstein wrote the very funny book that was inspired by a true story of a struggling English shoe factory owner who turns his business around in a most unlikely way with the help of a very unlikely person. The two characters become a fierce team and discover that they have more in common than they ever dreamed was possible. I found the story very similar to the 2005 British-American Miramax comedy-drama film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, although the musical version was less gritty and much funnier. The production lived up the term "exhilarating" and was certainly uplifting to a high-heeled level.

The original score won a Tony for the incomparable Cyndi Lauper and includes a wide range of musical numbers singing the praises of shoes ("The Most Beautiful Thing in the World") bemoaning falling in love ("The History of Wrong Guys") and narrating a boxing match ("In This Corner.") The first act closer is a joyous "Everybody Say Yeah" and the musical ends with a no holds barred production number to "Raise You Up/Just Be." Expertly played by the pit orchestra under the direction of Brian Usifer, I loved them all. The show is the winner of six Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL and proved  that "when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world."

The show is under the direction of Jerry Mitchell and he also won a  Tony for his  choreography of the show. Mr. Mitchell has been involved in more than 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End and touring productions in the last 33 years. David Rockwell served as the scenic designer of the pretty impressive and appropriate set, which was wonderfully lit by Kenneth Posner. Special mention to the costumes designed by Gregg Barnes for both the variety and the beauty of the drag queen pieces, not to mention not one broken heel.

Billy Porter is still playing the role of Lola/Simon on Broadway, but at the matinee I attended with my aunt and my son his understudy Timothy Ware covered the roles. This young actor rose to the challenge and looked fine in the amazing costumes. Andy Kelso was terrific in the lead role of the reluctant factory owner; he sang and danced and brought the needed heart to Charlie Price. Haven Burton played the role of factory worker Lauren with great comic ability and David Stewart Sherman was just as good as very manly factory worker who just doesn't "get" Lola.

Cortney Wolfson played Charlie's stylish girlfriend Nicola and Marcus Neville rounds out the leads in the role of shop supervisor George. Lola's "Angels" were played by six very talented dancers who wore the elaborate ensembles so very well. Jennifer Perry, that we all agreed is a Marianna Vagnini-Dadamo lookalike, was very funny as factory worker Trish.

I really enjoyed this uplifting musical with a message and hope to see it again when the touring company comes to CT and audiences can discovered why sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out.