Originally published in The Mace and Crown
Kinky Boots: If The Shoe Fits
Or
Kinky Does Chrysler
George Plank
Staff Writer
From Wednesday, December 16 to Sunday, December 20 Chrysler Hall was more than just another theatre. It was a factory, it was a drag show, it was a fashion show in Milan, but most of all it was the home to the Tony award winning musical, Kinky Boots.
Kinky Boots focuses on Charlie Price, of the Price and Son shoe manufacturers, a generations old company with a reputation for selling high quality men’s shoes. After his father dies he his dragged away from his life and sent headfirst into the company mix. He quickly learns that the company has been falling on hard times lately and without a miracle the company will soon be shut down. While trying to unload some sunk inventory Charlie happens across Lola, a cross dresser who laments on the fact that the heels on all of his boots keep breaking. Charlie Realizes that this is an unrecognized niche market that could potentially save Price and Son. Charlie Brings Lola on as a designer and together they set out to make the best shoes for men that like to wear women’s shoes, or kinky boots, and have them shown during a fashion show in Milan. A whirlwind of emotions and toe tapping musical numbers follow for the duration of the musical.
When audience members enter the theatre they were greeted by the façade of the front of Price and Son on stage. As the show begins the front slides away to reveal the interior of the factory where a majority of the action of the show takes place. The show makes use of minimalist lighting and set pieces to convey other locations with the exception of one major set change towards the end of the show. The set pieces, for the most part, are built into the backs of other set pieces used in the factory, or on sliding panels, so that they could be turned around at a moment’s notice. The actors change very little about the set but can take you one moment from a workday in the Price and Son factory to front row center of Lola’s drag show. Also impressive is the use of stage sleight of hand to convey complicated processes in a very short time.
In 2013 Kinky Boots won six Tony awards including best musical and it’s clear to see why. The music and lyrics were written by Grammy award winning singer Cyndi Lauper and at times that is extremely clear. A good portion of the songs carry that rock opera vibe to them, yet others are subtle and are unafraid to pull at your heart strings. For the most part the songs are upbeat and brought with equally impressive footwork to match.
While the musical has its serious moments it still doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t afraid to have a laugh. Most of the wit and humor is delivered directly by Lola with Charlie acting as the straight man.
The supporting cast is extremely diverse when it comes to personality types. Everyone has their own character motivations and very few are static characters with most showing substantial development over the course of events. That said, some of their character developments are very predictable and that tends to sell the otherwise superb writing short in some aspects.
The main moral of the musical is you should not be bound by what people expect of you. You are your own person; don’t be afraid to be yourself, even if others may not agree with it. The play emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and friendship over all else and shows how a simple shift in paradigm can change your life forever. Who is this play for then? To paraphrase something repeated multiple times in the production, this play is for ladies, gentlemen, and those that have yet to make up their mind.
Kinky Boots: If The Shoe Fits
Or
Kinky Does Chrysler
George Plank
Staff Writer
From Wednesday, December 16 to Sunday, December 20 Chrysler Hall was more than just another theatre. It was a factory, it was a drag show, it was a fashion show in Milan, but most of all it was the home to the Tony award winning musical, Kinky Boots.
Kinky Boots focuses on Charlie Price, of the Price and Son shoe manufacturers, a generations old company with a reputation for selling high quality men’s shoes. After his father dies he his dragged away from his life and sent headfirst into the company mix. He quickly learns that the company has been falling on hard times lately and without a miracle the company will soon be shut down. While trying to unload some sunk inventory Charlie happens across Lola, a cross dresser who laments on the fact that the heels on all of his boots keep breaking. Charlie Realizes that this is an unrecognized niche market that could potentially save Price and Son. Charlie Brings Lola on as a designer and together they set out to make the best shoes for men that like to wear women’s shoes, or kinky boots, and have them shown during a fashion show in Milan. A whirlwind of emotions and toe tapping musical numbers follow for the duration of the musical.
When audience members enter the theatre they were greeted by the façade of the front of Price and Son on stage. As the show begins the front slides away to reveal the interior of the factory where a majority of the action of the show takes place. The show makes use of minimalist lighting and set pieces to convey other locations with the exception of one major set change towards the end of the show. The set pieces, for the most part, are built into the backs of other set pieces used in the factory, or on sliding panels, so that they could be turned around at a moment’s notice. The actors change very little about the set but can take you one moment from a workday in the Price and Son factory to front row center of Lola’s drag show. Also impressive is the use of stage sleight of hand to convey complicated processes in a very short time.
In 2013 Kinky Boots won six Tony awards including best musical and it’s clear to see why. The music and lyrics were written by Grammy award winning singer Cyndi Lauper and at times that is extremely clear. A good portion of the songs carry that rock opera vibe to them, yet others are subtle and are unafraid to pull at your heart strings. For the most part the songs are upbeat and brought with equally impressive footwork to match.
While the musical has its serious moments it still doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t afraid to have a laugh. Most of the wit and humor is delivered directly by Lola with Charlie acting as the straight man.
The supporting cast is extremely diverse when it comes to personality types. Everyone has their own character motivations and very few are static characters with most showing substantial development over the course of events. That said, some of their character developments are very predictable and that tends to sell the otherwise superb writing short in some aspects.
The main moral of the musical is you should not be bound by what people expect of you. You are your own person; don’t be afraid to be yourself, even if others may not agree with it. The play emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and friendship over all else and shows how a simple shift in paradigm can change your life forever. Who is this play for then? To paraphrase something repeated multiple times in the production, this play is for ladies, gentlemen, and those that have yet to make up their mind.
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