‘Fab’ musical puts the boots to bigotry
Timing couldn’t be better for show that starts social conversation about acceptance and understanding
If ever there was a time for a Kinky Boots the musical to be loud and proud, it's right now.
A celebration of acceptance and understanding, the award-winning musical written by Cyndi Lauper (music and lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book) tells the story of Charlie Price, who has inherited a failing family shoe business.
To save the business, Price finds an unlikely soulmate in a drag queen named Lola. Together the pair create a line of high-heeled boots that manage to kick-start business success.
A raucous, fun, camp affair, Kinky Boots (which is based on a 2005 film) entertains while still putting a sparkly heel squarely on the neck of bigotry.
“I am even more charged to tell this message and share it now,” said J. Harrison Ghee, who has been starring as Lola in the touring production since 2015.
"It's amazing how pertinent this show is, and how it shows up at the right time. We've been in Tulsa, Okla., when they were having LGBT legislation happening. We've gone back to North Carolina with the whole bathroom situation (where a law was passed that transgender people must use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates). We've been in these states, and in these cities, at such important times.
“We call the show big, fab, fun,” said Ghee, a seasoned drag queen who goes by the name Crystal Demure when he performs in New York.
"It's a fun, fabulous show, but it also makes you think and feel. I think that's what catches people off guard. They're like 'wait, this drag queen is making me feel things, what's happening?' It's just starting a conversation that people aren't having.”
Those conversations often carry on long after the curtain has fallen and cast members have swapped stilettos for sneakers and called it a night.
“We have had so many youth, kids that come up to us at stage doors and say that, because of this show today, I'm ready to come out to my parents. Or vice versa. We've had parents who say ‘I know my child is different, I know my child is special. I know this and I accept them now and I understand it. I can move forward and start this conversation.' ”
Ghee says that, night after night, he sees light bulbs go on for audience members, and sees unsuspecting theatregoers realize this is a fun show with a serious message.
"Our favourite people to see are the couples who we know are season ticket holders and the husband was dragged along,” said Ghee, who when done up in full Lola regalia is about seven feet tall.
“When the drag queens come out he's confused, but by the end of the show, he's up clapping and singing and smiling because he gets the message and the heart of the show — which is to accept each other as individuals.
"It warms my heart. That's why I do what I do — to affect change and to make people think and feel. It's why I love to do this.”
American actor Curt Hansen took over the role of Price in December. He said the power of musicals can be a sneaky affair.
“I've done mostly musicals. I think musicals get a bad rap because they're wrapped up in this fluffy medium, but within that, because of the fluff, it gets people to dive in deeper,” said Hansen, who is excited about the Vancouver dates, as he's a huge Canucks fan.
"I've always been a part of shows that have a deeper message underneath all of the fun.”
A native of Hartford, Wis., and a seasoned musical veteran with credits including the Broadway productions of Wicked, Hairspray and Next to Normal, Hansen is proud to be delivering the Kinky Boots message, just like Ghee.
“There's a lyric that says: ‘You can change the world when you change your mind.' I think that's an important thing to keep in mind, no matter what side you're on.
“People can be closeminded in different ways. You need to keep an open mind with everyone, no matter what side of the fence you're on,” said Hansen.
While Ghee sees the effect the show has on audience members, he's quick to point out that it's benefitted him far beyond a pay cheque.
"I say the show is my therapy,” said Ghee. “I get to put my mess into the show every night and just get it out.”
It's also helped him build a stronger relationship with his father.
"My father is a pastor in North Carolina, so that father-son struggle of being accepted and understood as an individual is definitely something I connect with,” said Ghee.
"This show has definitely helped us grow even more. He didn't know I was doing drag until I got this show. We had to sit down and have a conversation and I had to express to him that it's just pure entertainment and I enjoy being creative in the medium of drag and it's a part of my work, and he gets that and respects it now. He's seen the show four times and can't get enough of it,” said Ghee.
For the record, Ghee's favourite shoes are a pair of patent leather Doc Marten boots, while Hansen was excited about his recent purchase of some brown leather Red Wing boots.