Photo Source: 680 News
I promise I didn’t see Kinky Boots just because it’s about red boots. In fact, I didn’t even wear my red shoes to the theatre. I saw Kinky Boots because it’s an award-winning show with music by Cyndi Lauper and its story about fashion and friendship is intriguing.
The story about Charlie (Graham Scott Fleming), a young professional in Northampton, England, rebuilding his late father’s shoe factory is interesting in the first act, but it loses steam in the second act, which is less eventful. The fate of Charlie’s relationship with his fiancé is as predictable as the future of his shoe business.
Charlie desperately needs inspiration to turn his shoe business around and when his loyal employee Lauren (AJ Bridel), who harbours a crush on him, inspires him to chase a niche market, Charlie promotes her and establishes a business partnership with Lola, a local drag queen.
The musical would be utterly boring if it weren’t for Lola (Alan Mingo Jr.). She adds much needed pizazz to the show and her backup dancers are talented enough to perform in Las Vegas. Considering she is really a man dressed up as a woman, her self-confidence is admirable. “No need to be embarrassed; I like to be looked at, “ she says and later adds, “There’s a room full of people waiting to feel normal by comparison.”
The magnificent thing about Lola is she doesn’t need a costume to make a bold statement; she’s got a sassy attitude that’s immediately noticeable. The costume designer also effectively juxtaposes Lola’s brightly coloured outfits with the factory workers’ drab casual attire.
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA’]
There are not many instances where the cast’s choreography stands out. However, it was stimulating to watch the ensemble move along the conveyer belt in the factory, which is similar to OK Go’s treadmill dance in their Here It Goes Again music video.
In the end, the cast redeem themselves with the Raise You Up finale. The problem is that you don’t buy a ticket for a show to fast forward to the closing number. I would’ve preferred to see a Cyndi Lauper concert, but if you love musicals and you’re hungry to see a modern story on stage about diversity, then by all means order a ticket to Kinky Boots.