With catchy tunes by Cyndi Lauper and a touching book by Harvey Fierstein the musical Kinky Boots took top honors at the 67th annual Tony Awards and proved the girls that just want to have fun are, in fact, drag queens! It’s no wonder that the musical, based on the true story behind the 2005 film, earned a season-high 13 nominations and 6 wins because little goes together more magically than drag and musical theater. The feel good story hit home with audiences and Tony voters alike, picking up awards for Best Musical, Best Score (Cyndi Lauper), Best Chorography (Jerry Mitchell), Best Orchestrations (Stephen Oremus), Best Sound Design of a Musical (John Shivers) and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Billy Porter).
The question of whether underdog Kinky Boots would beat out Matilda for best musical was hotly contested with the overall popularity of Matilda soaring yet leaving audience members with no real emotional impact while Kinky Boots brought audiences to feet with joy and the feeling of love. The message is that we must learn to accept each other for who we are, and in that acceptance, there is healing. In today’s turbulent political and social climate this message is even more important, more impactful, and hopefully more inspiring to all of those fighting for equal rights and acceptance. Plus, isn’t the whole point of going to a musical to be entertained and leave with a smile on your face?
The synopsis is simple and perhaps that is why it has such impact. It is a story that everyone can relate to, whether you know a drag queen or not, though it certainly is more entertaining when you do! When Charlie Price (Tony nominee Stark Sands) suddenly inherits his father’s shoe factory he discovers it is on the verge of bankruptcy. While struggling to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola (Billy Porter). A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discover that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.
This high energy production is fueled by a fabulous, melodic, and memorable score and beautiful lyrics by the amazing Cyndi Lauper, who is the first woman to pick up the Tony Award for Best Score. The great Jerry Mitchell‘s inspired, fresh, joyful, and highly original choreography jumps off the stage at every turn and is the perfect complement to the award-winning book and score. The most daringly original number is when the entire cast mounts moving conveyor belts, achieving the most enthralling and stunning choreography of the decade.
Billy Porter as Lola gives one of the best performances not only of this season but of many seasons past and undoubtedly many seasons to come. Mr. Porter creates a character who immediately dances into our hearts with a generous helping of compassion and sympathy; from the time we first meet Lola, we fall in love with her. Even out of drag in the production, Mr. Porter displays all of the qualifications we expect from a superstar–charisma, charm, brilliance, and the art of stealing the stage every time he sets foot upon it. To experience Billy Porter as Lola is to catch the excitement of what Broadway is all about. When Porter beat Kinky Boots co-star Stark Sands he told him from the stage: “You are my rock, my sword, my shield. Your grace gives me presence. I share this award with you. I’m gonna keep it at my house! But I share it with you.”
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