Broadway Review: Kinky Boots - "The best feel-good show since Legally Blonde"

Andy Kelso & Billy Porter / Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

Kinky Boots

The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 9th April 2014 (matinee)

Billy Porter & Daniel Stewart Sherman
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

Kinky Boots is an empowering, inspiring, uplifting and fun musical which hit me with a breath of fresh air. Based on the 2005 movie (which I have never seen), the show follows Charlie Price as he inherits his father's shoe factory which is on the verge of bankruptcy. 

Determined to live up to his father's legacy and to provide job security for his employees, Charlie realises he has to come up with something new. After finding inspiration in the form of Lola (whose birth name is Simon), Charlie discovers his niche market - creating sturdy stilettos for drag queens. 

It's fascinating to watch the unlikely friendship between Charlie and Lola unfold; the pair have a strange connection which is quite endearing. Of course love troubles are also thrown into the mix, with Charlie's relationship in crisis and factory worker Lauren discovering she has a huge crush on her boss…

I haven't had so much fun in a theatre for a very long time. Cyndi Lauper's score is an absolute revelation - it's hit after hit after hit. It's a new, edgy sound for musical theatre but works a treat. The show features some of the most catchy musical theatre songs ever written as well as a handful of big ballads with touching lyrical content. I have been listening to the cast album on repeat.

It was nothing short of a privilege to see original cast member Billy Porter give the performance of a lifetime as Lola. There is a difference between playing a character and becoming another human being; it's not every day you see a performance that comes even close to Porter's.

Not only does he have impeccable comic timing and impressive, note-perfect vocal ability, but Porter portrays the role three dimensionally, breaking stereotypes. Behind the glamour and the colour, Kinky Boots is written with such heart. You could feel that Porter's performance had moved many audience members, with some jumping to their feet after his heartfelt rendition of 'Hold Me in Your Heart'. 

Stark Sands, Billy Porter & The Angels / Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

I don't want to reveal the ending, but Lola makes a spectacular entrance and I haven’t felt such an excitable buzz since the last time I saw Elle Woods burst out of the supply closet, all guns blazing in her pink dress in Legally Blonde The Musical. As well as providing a wild night out, Kinky Boots raises some important issues. It's great to see a piece of theatre challenging stereotypes, the mid-week matinee audience were very vocal and totally caught up in the show.

Having now seen Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Kinky Boots I can safely say that Jerry Mitchell is the most consistent director/choreographer we have working on both sides of the pond. He is a genius! Mitchell clearly had a ball choreographing the drag numbers which are fabulous. His choreography is smart and his direction is focused, with the piece running smoothly from scene to scene.

Jeanna de Waal & Andy Kelso
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

I forgave the dodgy, inconsistent British accents because I was having so much fun. The ensemble is bursting with energy whilst all the leads give knock-out performances. Andy Kelso is great as Charlie Price. He acts the part well although seemed to sacrifice his vocals slightly during the first act. Everything fell into place in act two, with Kelso giving a tremendous rendition of 'Soul of a Man'.

Jeanna de Waal is terrific as Lauren, her rendition of 'The History of Wrong Guys' provides one of the funniest moments. The character suddenly steps into the spotlight and Waal completely lets go, giving everything she has and belting her heart out. As I sat there I couldn't help but think that, if/when the show transfers to the West End, Carley Stenson would make a great Lauren.

The best feel-good show since Legally Blonde, I am already itching to see Kinky Boots again. This is Billy Porter’s show and it would be incredible to see him reprise his Tony-Award winning performance in London. It's a total must-see during any Broadway trip, as long as you are open minded and prepared to invest you will have a great time. 

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Please visit www.kinkybootsthemusical.com for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

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