By Chris Heide

The nationally acclaimed tour of Kinky Boots arrives at the 5th Avenue Theatre this week! Chosen Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with cast member, Joseph Anthony Byrd, to get his thoughts on the show!

Chosen: What inspired you to begin a career in live theater?

Joseph Anthony Byrd: I began theatre for the chance to attend an all-you-can-eat pizza party. On the way to the bus after school one day I noticed boxes upon boxes of pizza in the cafeteria. The woman standing guard informed me that it was only for those students who participated in the school play. I assured her that next year I would be one of them. I kept my promise!

Chosen: What inspired you to join the cast of Kinky Boots?

JAB: Kinky Boots is such a great story! I wanted to have the chance to help tell it and to spread the message! With all the glitter, heels, and heart who WOULDN'T want to spread all that joy?!

Chosen: Tell us more about your role. What is your favorite aspect of the role?

JAB: In Kinky Boots I get to play one of Lola's Angels. They are a very colorful group of fabulous drag performers. The amount of fun the six of us have is crazy not to mention how inspired I am by all of their talent.

Chosen: What is your favorite number in the show and why?

My favorite number in the show is THE SEX IS IN THE HEEL. It's the first time the Angels get to interact with the factory workers. We the Angels get to be silly. The factory workers get to be confused and/or intrigued...you can imagine the kind of moment it creates!!!!!!

Chosen: Why do you think Kinky Boots is an important piece of theater? How do you think it resonates with the audience?

JAB: Kinky Boots delivers a universal message of love, and self-acceptance. It also deals with father and son dynamics of expectation and disappointment. That is what is at the heart of Kinky. That is what speaks to conservatives and liberals alike.

Chosen: If the audience walks away from the show with only one thing in mind, what would you hope that would be?

JAB: At the end of the day Kinky Boots wants everyone to leave with the belief that "you change the world when you change your mind."

Chosen: What is something that most people do not know about Kinky Boots?

JAB: Many people may not realize that Kinky Boots is based on a true story of a man who began selling women's shoes in men's sizes to save his factory!