Just Wanna Have Fun? Say Yeah to ‘Kinky Boots’ at NSMT

October 30, 2022October 31, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The cast of KINKY BOOTS at North Shore Music Theatre thru Photo © Paul Lyden

Kinky Boots – Kevin P. Hill, director and choreographer, Dan Rodriguez, musical director, Kyle Dixon, scenic designer, Gregg Barnes, original costume design, Kelly Baker, costume coordinator/additional costume design, Jose Santiago, lighting designer, Adam Bates, sound designer, Josh Marquette, original wig design, Rachel Padua-Shufelt, additional hair and wig design. At North Shore Music Theatre, October 25 – November 6.

by Linda Chin

With pop icon Cyndi Lauper’s triumphant “Raise You Up/Just Be” as its grand finale, NSMT’s Kinky Boots ends on a high note – and not just because everyone on stage is singing and dancing in glittery 4 to 5-inch heels. Rather, the characters we have come to adore have stories with happy endings, and inspire the audience to celebrate themselves and make their own.

Theatre by the Sea Closes Season with Triumphant ‘Kinky Boots’

August 1, 2022November 29, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Tony Annicone

Theatre by the Sea’s closing musical of their 89th season is the 6 Time Tony Award winning musical “Kinky Boots” with book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Cyndi Lauper. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense in bringing the incredible musical to this historic Rhode Island Theatre. This show is based on true events in Northampton, England. After inheriting the shoe factory from his father, Charlie Price struggles to keep his family business open. He isn’t really interested in the family business due to his fiancée Nicola but in order to keep it afloat has to lay off 15 employees. Lola, a fabulous, sassy and popular female impersonator comes up with a wild and crazy way to save Charlie’s shoe business but also teaches people about love and acceptance of people who are different. Charlie and Lola create a partnership but also learn important lessons from each other. And with a little bit of understanding this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and create a line of stilettos unlike any the world has seen. Director/choreographer Kevin Hill casts this show marvelously and elicits brilliant performances from the entire cast while musical director Jacob Priddy brings out incredible vocals from them, as their voices soar off the charts. What sets this show about from others is the group choreography, with the drag performers doing their routines with everyone in perfect unison. Lola and the group steal many a scene with their breathtaking dance moves (in kinky boots) throughout the show. The singing, dancing and acting in this show is spectacular and wins the cast a thunderous and prolonged standing ovation.

Get Your Kicks at ‘KINKY BOOTS’ at Ogunquit Playhouse

October 12, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Cast of ‘Kinky Boots’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photos by Gary Ng)

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Two-act, popular Broadway musical hit, appearing at Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main St. Route 1N, Ogunquit, Maine, through October 27. Tickets start at $36; economy seats, $51. ogunquitplayhouse.org, 207-646-5511.

Kick up your heels, stride proudly, walk tall, and enjoy every minute of Ogunquit Playhouse’s spectacular production of “Kinky Boots,” Harvey Fierstein and Cindy Lauper’s popular Broadway musical hit. This is one show you don’t want to miss.

Don’t let the name of the play be off-putting. The musical isn’t about sexual kinkiness. It’s about two contrasting males who share what they perceive as the same shortcoming. They can’t live up to their fathers’ expectations. The main theme, though, is a clarion call for tolerance, love, and accepting people for who they are. The story is based on fact, writes Director-Choreographer Nathan Peck, former dance captain for the Broadway run. Thirty-something Steve Pateman of Northampton, England reluctantly took over his dad’s failing shoe business in the early 2000s. A woman who specialized in the sale of transgender women’s footwear saved Pateman’s business, by joining him and creating glamorous shoes. Their story was highlighted on BBC, and provided the heart of 2005 British film “Kinky Boots,” starring Joel Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.