Charlie Price has a dilemma after his father who owns a shoe manufacturing company unexpectedly leaves it to him. The campy production is packed with song, dance, and plenty of star power. The production, directed by Stephen Santa, is a fabulous tale about showing what happens when you make lemonade out of lemons. With the book by Harvey Fierstein, it’s a comeback story bedazzled with feel good fun.
A shoe is “the most beautiful thing in the world,” and probably the sexiest as well. According to a bevy of drag queen performers and one in particular, its star Lola, (Roderick Cotton), the sex is in the heel. Most of the women in the factory can attest to Lola’s sentiment that sexy boots equal sex appeal, vavavoom, and so much more.
With sultry choreography by Michelle Garrity, the energy of “Kinky Boots” is infectious and inspiring. Songs like “Beautiful Thing in the World?” “The History of Wrong Guys,” and “The Sex Is in the Heel,” these numbers transition smoothly with energy from a talented ensemble that never misses a beat, making it a very fluid production. The score is by Cyndi Lauper, and her musical influence resonates throughout with poppy, funky, upbeat, and catchy choruses and unforgettable diva-esque ballads. A stellar cast rounds out with Roderick’s over the top performances as theatrical drag queen Lola who convinces Charlie that the market for sky high red patent leather boots lies within the drag queen community. The demand is high, and it this business move will ultimately save the factory.
Megan Kelly as Lauren is comical with her portrayal of the girl who is smitten with Charlie. “The History of Wrong Guys,” is a showstopper, and perfectly executed with drama and candid expression. Kelly singing into a banana as her mic adds the perfect touch to the number. Billy Ferguson plays a not-so-sure-of-himself Charlie with a beautiful tenor tone in the soaring, soul-searching “Soul of A Man.”
It should be noted that the men cast as “Angels”-drag queen backup dancers in the show have all the moves and do it in heels, a quite remarkable feat indeed. Cameo parts from the ensemble further highlight the talent of the cast and what they really have to offer.
Costumes by Lindsay Pape dazzle and light up the stage, especially the glittering, glamorous diva gowns of Lola’s larger than life persona.
A very entertaining production throughout, “Kinky Boots,” is a high-volume spectacle at the Howard Drew. Catch the last performance Sunday, June 26th.
