Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots isn't necessarily a musical I would have thought that I would get particularly excited about. Not for any particular reason except that I tend to lean more towards the epic period dramas like Scarlet Pimpernel, Elisabeth, or Les Miserables. However, Summer of 2013 I went on a trip to New York for a graduate class on Multicultural Counseling in Schools (I am currently a graduate student in a school counseling program). It was an amazing trip (aside from being a bajillion degrees the entire week) and I managed to squeeze in five plays that week (four of which were musicals). It's tradition that the entire class goes to see one show together and the show they chose that year was Kinky Boots.

I was particularly excited to go once I found out two things: 1) Cyndi Lauper was involved and 2) my boss's high school friend was one of the dancers in the show.

This picture is from the talk back our group got to attend after the performance. My boss's friend is in the red shirt, fourth from the left. He did a back flip in six inch heels. I can't even walk in six inch heels. So much respect. P.S. Here is that back flip on The View.

Introduction

Based on a movie which is, in turn, based on true events, Kinky Boots is about Charlie, a young man who inherits the family shoe business after the death of his father. He discovers that the business has been failing and that his father was in the process of selling the business before his death. He enlists the help of Lola, a drag performer he meets in London, to help him design a series of stiletto heels for men. 

Soundtrack

I bought the soundtrack as soon as I got home from New York and haven't regretted it since! The songs are catchy and fun and the entire cast is extremely talented. I generally get a soundtrack and end up setting my playlist to skip some of the songs that don't catch my attention as much. While there are several songs that have definitely been played over and over more than the others, this one is unique in that there are no songs I have set to skip. That means a lot to me about how much I enjoy the music.

On another note, I am also picky with the chorus songs I enjoy. What can I say; I don't like boring chorus songs. In Kinky Boots, some of my favorite songs feature the entire cast: "The Most Beautiful Thing in the World" and "Raise You Up" for example (the latter definitely showing its Lauper roots big time!).

It also has some beautiful soul stirring ballads, such as "Hold Me in Your Heart" which is song by Lola/Simon to his father. It's beautiful on so many levels and reminds me of something straight from Dreamgirls or Donna Summers. Billie Porter has a gorgeous voice (and is a tremendous actor as well, but we'll get to that).

Favorite Song

My favorite song varies on my mood between "Hold Me in Your Heart" and "History of Wrong Guys." One is beautiful, lyrical, and gets me a little teary eyed during certain points of the month. The other is hilarious and full of energy and personality. Since I already posted "Hold Me in Your Heart," I'll set you up here with "History of Wrong Guys." Seeing "History of Wrong Guys" performed live really makes the entire song pop and I highly recommend searching Youtube for a recording of a live performance. But they keep getting taken down, so here's just the audio.

The Show

I didn't have any opinion about the show, really, before going in except that I was excited about seeing my boss's friend on stage and knowing that I like Cyndi Lauper. The first number had me hooked right away, though the theater remained bloody hot throughout the entire show. I can't imagine how hot it must have been onstage. Ugh!

I really liked the versatility of the set. I always like when a certain large piece of the set is changed up to serve different purposes. The conveyor belts are used as part of the assembly line making shoes as well as being featured in an impressive dance number, people swinging all over them. Other pieces were used multiple ways as well. 

Lots of fun, but, honestly, nothing big and ground breaking. It was cute and fun. I loved it and from what I saw it fully deserved the Tony's it won.

Favorite Part

I'm torn between "History of Wrong Guys" and the final number, "Raise You Up/Just Be," which was everything a Broadway finale should be: bright lights, flashy costumes, clapping. It was just fun.

Have any of you seen the show on Broadway or on tour? One of the professors from my trip to New York said it was the best show she had ever seen after living in New York for over 20 years. What are your thoughts?