Interview: Kyle Taylor Parker Steps Back Into Lola's Heels in KINKY BOOTS on Broadway!
By: Nicole Rosky Feb. 07, 2015
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Kyle Taylor Parker, who has been starring as 'Lola' in the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, just stepped into the role on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street), where he'll remain for three months, taking over for Tony Award-winner Billy Porter.
Parker made his Broadway debut as an 'Angel' in the original company of Kinky Boots and has been playing the role of 'Lola' in the First National Touring Production since it opened to rave reviews in Las Vegas in September 2014. Other credits include In the Heights (National Tour), Hair (ATC) and more.
Parker just chatted with BroadwayWorld about rejoining the Broadway cast, and you can check out the full interview below!
Welcome back! What has it been like to return to the Al Hirschfeld?
Thank you! I've been overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and excitement my first week back at the Hirschfeld. Like that feeling you get when you come home for the holidays you know? JOY! Being on the road has really given me a chance to make the part my own, and this return is like a fabulous show and tell of that time.
Have you noticed a difference in audience reaction to the character/material in NYC vs. on tour?
Not really. Its a good story with great songs and big heart, it was incredible to see audiences leap to their feet across the country and an honor to experience it my first show back on Broadway last week.
Is it odd to be performing the same part with a different cast?
It's more fun than odd because of the history I have with the show and the cast. Luckily I know everybody like family so it's like a big party where everyone uses a British Accent. It also helps that Andy Kelso is so brilliant and generous as Charlie, he'll get anyones groove back!
What's your favorite Lola moment onstage?
I LOVE singing "Land of Lola"! Its a killer song that immediately puts me in a great mood but also I'm stomping it out with some of my best friends on a Broadway stage! What an incredible way to start my night eight times a week. I have a talent crush on every cast member in Kinky Boots so really the entire show is ... Heaven!
Having now performed both as Lola and an Angel, have you found that one of the tracks is more challenging for you?
Kinky Boots is no joke, no matter what track you're doing. High energy, High notes and high HEELS!
What are you most excited about in being back on Broadway with this show?
All of it really! I'm excited to tell a very special story at a very special theatre. I saw my first broadway show at the Hirschfeld, made my broadway debut there years later and now I'm leading the show in this magical role at the same theatre. It's a full circle moment and I'm excited for every second of it.
KINKY BOOTS tells the uplifting and heartwarming tale of Charlie Price, a young man reluctantly taking over his family's struggling business. Charlie meets and finds inspiration in Lola and together, the unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible... and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. The winner of six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots features a Tony Award-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.