Kinky Boots portrays the decline of traditional industries in the 20th century and how it affected workers, but it was exceptional for musicals derived from different filmmakers.
Kinky Boots, performed at Al Hirschfield Theatre on October 8th, has to be one of the most underrated and misjudged Broadway plays in New York. When a Broadway show makes you both laugh and cry, then you know it is worth seeing… which ‘Kinky Boots’ does in a heartbeat. Cyndi Lauper, Lyricist and Harvey Fierstein, playright did a phenomenal job putting together a play that can change someone’s mind and open up a new perspective.
The musical is based on true events and the 2005 British Film, directed by Julian Jarrold, with a screenplay by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. It entails two people- Charlie, who is a factory owner under pressure to save his family business and Lola, who is a tremendous entertainer with great ideas. Charlie urges Lola to become a business woman by creating custom footwear fit for a drag queen, rather than the business shoes that his company is known for.
During the whole play, both Charlie and Lola clash over pretty much everything. Charlie is a sophisticated businessman, while Lola is a free-spirited, outspoken drag queen. When Charlie calls Lola “not a man” when she doesn’t want to be a part of the shoe business is exactly when Charlie realizes that Lola is more of a man than ever.
When arriving at the theatre there wasn’t a large audience, but everyone seemed enthusiastic to be there. At the beginning of the play, the whole audience seemed to be laughing at all the puns and the jokes in the crowd.
The end was by far touching and so magical that the audience were brought to tears. It is all about acceptance and learning to be who you are in a world that wants to mold you into someone you’re not. ‘Kinky Boots’ takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery and inspires you to be who you want to be.
For more information on Kinky Boots, including where to buy tickets, check out their official site.