No trip to New York is complete without a visit to see a stage show. But, with as many as 45 new productions taking to the stage every year, it’s not always easy deciding on what to see. Do you get tickets for the latest thing or go for something tried and tested – a Broadway classic?
In 2013 the curtain rose for the first time on the Broadway run of Kinky Boots the Musical. Since then the show has been reproduced around the globe, from London to Tokyo.
Here are a few reasons why it’s caught on around the world and why you should make this the show you see whilst in NYC.
The real-life story
Featuring everything from singing animals and sorcery to genies and dancing cats, New York shows aren’t always very realistic. Kinky Boots is different. The musical is based on a 2005 film that was inspired by the real-life events that took place at a struggling British shoe factory called W.J Brooks Ltd.
The plot revolves around a young man called Charlie Price after he inherits a failing footwear factory from his father. He never wanted to take on the business. In fact, just before his father died, Charlie had moved to London to live the big city life with his fiancé, Nicola, who dreams of being a high flyer.
Charlie is on the verge of closing the business when he meets flamboyant Lola – a drag queen who talks Charlie into manufacturing a range of heeled shoes and boots for men.
A cast of colourful characters surrounds Charlie and Lola during their time on stage. Lola is accompanied by an entourage of drag queens called Lola’s Angels. Then there is the character of Lauren. Lauren works at the factory and is a champion and cheerleader for the new range of men’s heels. She’s feisty and peppy and during the show, she starts developing feelings for her boss.
The plot may seem simplistic and, yes it’s easy to follow. However, there’s more to the show than shoes. One of the overriding themes of the production is acceptance. Lola has always faced discrimination, first from his father, then from the wider world, and next from some of the male workers at Charlie’s factory. The worst offender is Don, a burly and narrow-minded man who Lola tries to win round. The tag line for the show is ‘You change the world when you change your mind’.
Cyndi Lauper
Eighties pop icon and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Cyndi Lauper wrote 16 songs for Kinky Boots, and it shows. By Land of Lola – the third musical number in this show – the audience is already dying to get out of their seats to dance. There’s a concert atmosphere in the theatre and pretty much every performance ends with a standing ovation. The playlist for the production brings together disco, funk and pop with some tonsil-quaking power ballads. Numbers of particular note include The History of Wrong Guys. Sung by Lauren, it’s an ode to bad relationship choices. Then there’s The Sex Is In The Heel – a song about making the best kind of boots.
The wardrobe
A man called Gregg Barnes is the brains behind the costumes in Kinky Boots. The drag queen costumes are eye-popping. There are hot pants, crop tops, waistcoats, corsets, tutus and – of course – thigh-high stilettos in everything from patent red leather to pink and purple tartan. Sequins, sparkle and gloss are in abundance, too. The best bit is that Lola and her Angels look immaculate in everything they put on.
The dancing
The dancers in Kinky Boots, Broadway give the cast of Fame a run for their money. Lola’s Angels high kick split jump and twirl their way around the stage as easily as if they had sneakers and not six-inch stilettos on their feet. Some clever set design allows for the choreography to be even more interesting and playful.
The comedy
The Kinky Boots, Broadway script is full of giggles and quirky puns such as Lola’s quotes ‘there’s a difference between a drag queen and a transvestite; a transvestite puts on a frock and looks like Churchill in his mother’s knickers.’ and ‘Ladies, gentlemen and those who have yet to make up their mind’.
Kinky Boots The Musical is playing at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre at 302 West 45th Street.
For tips on how to get into the shows for less, check out our guide on getting cheap Broadway tickets
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