Interview: KINKY BOOTS Tour's Tiffany Engen is Goofy On Stage and Off

The word "kinky" doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about family-friendly entertainment. However, with the Tony-winning musical KINKY BOOTS, playing at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts through Sunday, February 28th, that's exactly what you've got. Based on a 2005 British comedy of the same name, KINKY BOOTS tells the story of a shoe factory teetering on the brink of bankruptcy that is brought back to life when they begin making a certain style of fabulous boots.

"Obviously the name is super flashy," admitted Tiffany Engen, who plays KINKY BOOTS leading lady, Lauren. "(But there's) nothing kinky, nothing debaucherous about our show. I can understand why some people might think, 'Well wait a minute, is this not a family show?' It's absolutely a family show. This is a show for everyone."

With music and lyrics by legendary pop star Cyndi Lauper, and a book by theatre icon Harvey Fierstein, the show won six Tonys in 2013, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Choreography for director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell.

In addition, the show won the 2014 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, which Engen believes highlights one of the show's strongest draws.

"I think the thing that really brings a lot of (people) in, or really gets them once they're there, is Cyndi Lauper has written a musical theatre score that is unlike anything you've ever heard in a show," Engen said. "She pulled from all of her influences as a recording artist; so you can totally hear rock 'n' roll influences, you can hear the pop influences, there's some great disco influences, and then she can write these absolutely beautiful, beautiful ballads that really tell the story."

That story, which has been winning over audiences on Broadway, in London, and around the world for the past three years, focuses on themes of accepting others while also learning to accept yourself. Charlie Price (played on tour by Adam Kaplan) is forced to take over his family's failing factory after his father's death, and his only hope to turn it around is in a pair of red, sequined thigh-high boots designed for men. With the help of local drag-queen Lola (J. Harrison Ghee), the two come to grips with the fact that they can be proud of who they are without ever being all that their fathers wanted them to be.

"It is definitely a show about fathers and sons," Engen said, "(but) this show resonates with everyone on a different level. It's a show about patience and tolerance and acceptance. However, it's done in a way that's not very preachy, you're not being hit over the head with the message. You're really enjoying the show, and you're rocking out with us, and you're feeling this unbridled joy."

Engen, who appeared both on Broadway and on tour in LEGALLY BLONDE, Mitchell's first musical as both director and choreographer, feels a connection to her character Lauren, especially in her first act anthem, "The History of Wrong Guys." In the song, Lauren realizes that there might be more going on between her and Charlie than she imagined.

"She's a goofball, and she kind of gets awkward and uncomfortable when she realizes that she has some real romantic feelings for Charlie. I totally identify with that," Engen said. "She's very bold and sassy. If she thinks it, she says it; she has no filter. I love that part of her. (Lauren) is a super fun, truly unique character. I've never played a character like this before. I don't think there's been many characters like this in a show, so I feel really lucky."

Despite Lauren's innate goofiness, she plays a major role in helping Charlie get the factory back on its feet.

"She's the one that gives this light bulb-moment to Charlie," Engen said. "She has the idea that what they really need to do is find a niche market to be catering their shoes to. Design a shoe, or design a boot, or design something catering specifically to a niche market, because that's how they could save the company."

In addition to her time in LEGALLY BLONDE and KINKY BOOTS, Engen also appeared with her twin sister Brooke in the HAIRSPRAY movie, and as Regina in the Las Vegas production of ROCK OF AGES, a role which Brooke eventually took over. Together, the twins and their "honorary third sister," Tony-nominee Laura Bell Bundy, created the online video channel Skits-O-Frenic.

The channel features a whole host of eclectic videos from comedy sketches, parody songs, dance routines, and more. Bundy and both Engens are featured in many of the videos, and are often joined by their Broadway friends. The team is already working on Season 2, and is currently re-releasing Season 1 on their Facebook page.

"We've got some great stuff done for Season 2," Engen teased. "Some really polished, higher production value stuff. So, I'm really excited for that."

Engen did ensure me that my favorite Season 1 sketch, "Namastacy," in which she stars, will return in the new season. The channel also features new and classic episodes from the trio's previous collaborations in the COOTER COUNTY universe.

Fortunately for her, while on the road, Engen has found that her KINKY BOOTS colleagues are always up for creating something goofy of their own, like their airport holiday choreography rehearsal.

"The good thing is that everyone in this show is so funny and creative and lovely, that we can't help but come up with ideas for different videos at the drop of the hat," Engen said. "Certainly working on SKITS-O-FRENIC and COOTER COUNTY stuff, that keeps me busy, and keeps the creative juices flowing, but we have so many funny characters in this show that even on a Monday morning, travel day at 7:30am, they're doing two minutes of a stand-up act. They're just funny all the time."

That humor and energy translates directly to their performances on stage, according to Engen.

"I think KINKY BOOTS, in a word or two, is just 'pure joy,'" she said. "If you need some pure joy in your life, come and see this show. The overall message of this show is, 'You change the world when you change your mind.' And, hopefully we are changing minds and hearts across the country as we share this story."

You can purchase tickets to see KINKY BOOTS at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando on their website or by calling 844-513-2014.

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Are you excited to get "kinky" with this creative cast? Let me know what you thought in the comments below, or by "Liking" and following BWW Orlando on Facebook and Twitter by using the buttons below. You can also chat with me about the show on Twitter @BWWMatt. If you want to follow along with my "366 in 366" articles, you can check out #BWW366in366 on Twitter.

Banner Image: Tiffany Engen and Adam Kaplan. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy