By Chris Heide
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Kinky Boots by now. It’s the tour-de-force musical that took Broadway by storm in 2012, winning six Tony awards during its initial climb towards commercial and critical success. The show itself is bombastic, glittery and loud- everything you want out of a Broadway musical. The Cindi Lauper penned book is full of infectious, pop-infused numbers. Tonally, Kinky Boots is about finding your passion, overcoming prejudice and transcending stereotypes. Unlike many of its counterparts, this adrenaline filled Broadway extravaganza presents an apropos and contemporary story. The 5th Avenue Press Team describes the sizzling plot:
“Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.”
Kinky Boots is show that possess both style and substance. Although many of the numbers are high octane, the show take the time to explore themes of self-discovery and self-identification. Even if an audience member has never before seen a drag queen, the aforementioned themes are accessible to everyone. The recurring motif of the natural struggles between father and son seems to be particularly hard hitting for many audience members.
Both leads in the Kinky Boots are standout performers. As Lola, J. Harrison Ghee is masterful in his delicate balancing of the drag queen’s vivacious personality and the raw vulnerability of her alter ego, Simon. Ghee is particularly powerful during the rare moments when he is not in drag. Another standout is Adam Kaplan as Charlie. While the character of Lola steals most of the scenes she is in, Charlie provides a consistent grounding to the story. Kaplan masterfully executes the ridiculously stratospheric high notes that Charlie sings throughout the show.
My review of Kinky Boots hasn’t changed much from the last time I saw it. Everything about the show is masterfully executed. The sets, the choreography, the casting; everything is on point. At times the show can be a little schmaltzy, but that is somewhat expected with a Broadway production of this caliber.
Kinky Boots is the kind of show that leaves you feeling satisfied. It’s not hard to believe in the message of the show, that to change the world, all you have to do is change your mind. Kinky Boots is definitely a show that can be enjoyed in multiple viewings. It truly never gets old.