Review: KINKY BOOTS Brings Some Fancy New Footwear to Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson

What do you get when you take the newest owner of his family's shoe factory that's about to go under and introduce him to a drag queen with a need for some sturdy but sexy footwear? Kinky Boots!

A part of Broadway in Jackson's 2019 season presented by Trustmark on February 6th at Thalia Mara Hall, the Kinky Boots tour is presented Troika Entertainment, LLC. Featuring a book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots the musical is based on the Miramax film by the same name.

The Kinky Boots company is extremely well-led by Connor Allston as Charlie Price, a young man determined to make a name for himself anywhere but at his family's shoe factory. Forced back into his life in Northampton by some very unfortunate circumanstances, he meets Lola, a drag queen with a problem that Charlie just may be able to solve. At this performance, Julian Malone took on the role of Lola with talent, humor, and depth, allowing the audience to experience a full range of emotions, bringing many to tears with "Not My Father's Son" and "Hold Me in Your Heart". Even Don, played by James Fairchild, the ultra-masculine factory worker who at first refuses to accept Lola, learns a thing or two from the drag queen and her Angels. While Ashley North's character Nicola may be engaged to Charlie, it's Karis Gallant in the role of Lauren that really brings about a change in Charlie's plans and livens up the show with her hilarious and fun solo "History of Wrong Guys". The Angels, a stunning group of drag queens portrayed by Jordan Archibald, Derek Brazeau, Ryan Michael James, Andrew Norlen, Jacob Paulson, and Ernest Terrelle Williams, put on an unbelievably impressive show with their high-heeled dancing, choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. The ensemble in this company is top notch and truly carry the show, especially through the larger numbers such as "Everybody Say Yeah" and "Raise You Up/Just Be". The whole cast worked together like a beautiful, well-oiled machine, making it all look easy.

Kinky Boots is a delight and brings with it a message of acceptance and love that the world so badly needs right now. The tour is headed to Riverside, California and then on to Folsom, California. Tickets can be found for each venue in the links below.

Riverside, CA: http://venue.riversidepac.com/

Folsom, CA: https://harriscenter.ticketoffices.com/