By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
“It’s like something you’d see in Las Vegas!”
That was the post-show reaction of my father, who accompanied me to opening night of “Kinky Boots” at the Providence Performing Arts Center. I wasn’t sure if he would like it, and he didn’t – he loved it. So did I.
“Kinky Boots” has everything a Broadway musical should have: heart, soul, a good message, fantastic talent, a foot-tapping score, laughs, tears, terrific dancing and electrifying visuals.
It’s not a surprise this Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein creation walked away with the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2013.
The story of “Kinky Boots” follows Charlie Price, the son of a British shoemaker who finds himself suddenly at the helm of the failing family company. A chance meeting with Lola, a drag queen with an eye for design and need for a stronger heel, gives Charlie an idea for a product that could turn his business around. Through his new relationship with Lola, Charlie and his co-workers learn about acceptance, identity and what it means to be comfortable in your own skin.
Kyle Taylor Parker plays Lola and said it’s invigorating to tell the story every night.
“I think the show is about changing the world when you change your mind,” he said. “And having a big old dance party.”
It’s true: the message, though central, isn’t beaten into the audience, and the show is jam-packed with humor, show-stopping dance numbers and lots of glitz and glam. The six “angels” – Lola’s gender-bending crew of backup dancers – perform some of the best ensemble dance numbers I’ve seen, all in six-inch heels. Combined with rhinestone encrusted costumes, gorgeous hair and makeup and electrifying lights and sets, it truly is like a Las Vegas experience right in Providence.
Some of the best numbers in the show include “The History of Wrong Guys,” “Everybody Say Yeah” and “Raise You Up.”
“It’s a really wonderful story to tell every night, the audience has this wonderful journey with us,” said Anne Tolpegin, a member of the ensemble. “At the end everyone’s on their feet and dancing and laughing.”
Some of the biggest laughs comes when Joe Coots’ character, Don – a burly, he-man that challenges Lola to boxing match to prove he’s the “real” man of the two – sports his own pair of “kinky boots.”
“Don has the best arc in the whole show, he goes from A to Z,” Coots said. “A lot of the audience members relate to you.”
He said getting the audience’s feedback and support is “exhilarating.”
At Tuesday night’s performance of the show, the audience was with the cast the entire time. Once you see the show, it’s easy to understand why: each member of the cast delivers a powerhouse performance that’s filled with intensity from curtain up to curtain down.
I was lucky enough to get a backstage tour and try on the infamous “kinky boots” myself. After putting on the thigh-high, red patent leather beauties I had even more respect for the actors on stage. Mikey Piscitelli, who serves as the Lola dresser, took me to see the colorful angel costumes and shoes, which he said have to be mended and touched up every couple of days to compensate for the wear and tear of the dancing. The attention to detail and care for the costumes really makes all the difference.
So if your high-heels allow, run, don’t walk, to see the “Kinky Boots” national tour, on stage now through June 14 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Click here for show times and tickets.
