Kinky Boots strutting its high-heeled stuff
Sharp as a 6-inch stiletto, Kinky Boots kicked off its weekend run at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Performance Hall on Friday night.
The national touring production, presented by Celebrity Attractions, makes a strong case for why the Broadway musical was a “shoe-in” for six Tony awards — including best musical — back in 2013.
Kinky Boots’ book is by Harvey Fierstein (not to be confused with Harvey Weinstein). The music and lyrics are by ’80s pop queen Cyndi Lauper. And while the score is a definite departure from “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” its message ultimately is about, to borrow another Lauper title, embracing one’s “True Colors.”
The show, set in England, centers around the unlikely business partnership between the heir to a shoe business and a drag queen. The two men, plus a lively mix of factory workers and leggy cross-dressers, come together to produce fierce, fashionable footwear, as well as plenty of toe-tapping fun.
Uptempo disco-driven dance numbers like “Land of Lola,” “Sex Is in the Heel,” “Everybody Say Yeah” and “Raise You Up/Just Be,” delight. That’s when Kinky Boots is at its booty-shaking best.
The directionless Charlie is played with charm by Lance Bordelon. And larger-than-life Lola (given name: Simon), who is always surrounded by her alluring posse of Angels, is lovable as played by Jos N. Banks. The two men, who face similar fears and father issues, form an unlikely friendship and make some moving music (“Not My Father’s Son”).
Sydney Patrick also stands out as girlish Lauren who’s gaga for Charlie; her giddy solo “The History of Wrong Guys” hit all the right notes.
Maybe a couple of slower numbers (“Soul of a Man,” “Hold Me in Your Heart”) of the drag queen musical, well drag. As do a few plot points. A few early audio glitches caused minor kinks in this performance of Kinky Boots.
Still, it was a celebration of song, spirit and, of course, shoes, which the musical deems “The Most Beautiful Thing in The World.” Boot-iful, indeed!
The show, which lasts about 2½ hours (including a 20-minute intermission), will be onstage again at 2 and 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday at Robinson Center Performance Hall, Markham Street and Broadway. Tickets are $28-$77. Information is available at (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.