BWW Reviews: Everybody Say Yeah to the Delightful KINKY BOOTS Tour

When it comes to film-to-stage adaptations, the sassy, Tony Award-winning Best Musical KINKY BOOTS is that rare phenomenon we all wish would happen more often: a stage show that actually improves upon its cinematic source material.

Though it should be noted that, while quite a charmer itself (and features a lovely pre-Oscar nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor in the role of Lola), the 2005 independent film by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth that inspired the stage version offers just a small glimmer of what would eventually explode in its shinier, saucier Broadway reincarnation.

On stage, the sparkly KINKY BOOTS comes alive even more with colorful characters and vivid visuals. It certainly amps up the hilarity, high-jinks, and heart, thanks to Harvey Fierstein's even cheekier book that complements Cyndi Lauper's Tony-winning, pop-tastic music and lyrics (a sweet surprise from the legendary pop icon). Along with the added bonus of Jerry Mitchell's fiery choreography balanced within his even-paced direction, the stage adaptation very much deserves every accolade it has received and continues to enjoy.

Personally for me, experiencing KINKY BOOTS on Broadway with its original cast was certainly a memorable highlight of my trip to New York City in the summer of 2013, and I am ecstatic to report that the delightful, almost carbon-copy touring production---now on stage at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through January 11---retains much of the original production's endearing spirit, rousing humor, and gorgeous allure... well, for the most part.

My one minor gripe with the otherwise engaging touring show? Well... unfortunately, this production's sound mix (at least during the show's opening night performance), renders a lot of the show's witty lines and lyrics barely decipherable underneath the musical accompaniment---much of which are already pre-handicapped by affected Brit accents and too-quickly-clipped phrasing---particularly during uptempo numbers. While it doesn't quite mar the glorious experience entirely---let's face it, the show is indisputably entertaining from start to finish, even if you miss a sentence or twelve---there were lots more lines and stanzas the audience could have savored if given the clarity afforded other audiences.

But overall, though, KINKY BOOTS is, no question, one feel-good, winner of a show. It is as hilariously bawdy as it is tender and heartwarming---a strong testament of its crowd-pleasing combination of story, music, and acting performances that elevate this seemingly seen-it, heard-that musical about the struggles of the British working class into something extremely special.

Also helpful with its universal appeal? The show features extremely likable characters you grow to care for and want to root for, even if they don't particularly align with your ideology, predilection, or comfort level (and, yes, even the "villains" in the story are given the chance to have a positive change of heart/mind just in time for its tidy let's-all-love-ourselves-and-each-other finalé).

Like the movie, KINKY BOOTS is based on a remarkably true story: amiable Charlie Price (Steven Booth), soon after his father's untimely passing, reluctantly inherits "Price and Son," the aging, heavily-indebted shoe factory his family has owned for generations in Northampton, England (the town itself has also been hit hard by economic hardship). This new responsibility puts a wrench in Charlie's already laid-out plans: to permanently move away to London with his rather posh, high-minded new fiancée Nicola (Grace Stockdale) and to start their new life there with their fancy new positions in marketing.

Charlie's first instinct is, of course, to either sell or---gulp---close the nearly-bankrupt factory which has pretty much turned into a money-pit. Despite the longstanding tradition of quality and craftsmanship of its men's shoes that continues to be churned out by its hardworking staff whom he's known for most of life, there's little profit to be gained from the factory's outdated enterprise and antiquated products.

Alas, with so many factory jobs on the line, Charlie---despite not knowing a thing about the business---promises to take on a new, albeit riskier plan to rescue the company... that's inspired by the most unlikeliest of muses.

While in London, Charlie unwittingly rushes to the aid of Lola (the superb Kyle Taylor Parker), a glamorous, Amazonian-sized drag performer being accosted outside a club. In the scuffle, Lola---ably defending herself from her attackers, thank you very much---mistakenly clocks Charlie with one of her custom-made thigh-high stiletto-heeled boots, leaving Charlie unconscious and Lola's boot broken.

When Charlie finally wakes up, he is soon enchanted by the talents of Lola and her colorfully painted "Angels" (her fabulous, energetic troupe of back-up drag dancers on stage), but is also utterly perplexed with their fallible footwear. Apparently, weak shoes are a constant problem for drag performers.

"I'd give my left tit for a pair of shoes that could stand up to me!" exclaims Lola, triggering an ingenious idea for Charlie.

Eureka! A solution to save the dying factory! Why not design shoes for an "under-served niche market"---which, in this case, would be people like Lola and her bedazzled friends? Why can't Price and Son diversify and create a line of stylish high-heeled boots gorgeous enough for a woman yet built sturdy enough to hold the weight of a man?! Recruiting Lola's help in design, Charlie hopes to showcase the exciting new footwear line for fashionistas in Milan.

Thus, Price and Son's "Kinky Boots" is born... to, as expected, many a raised eyebrow and trepidation from the factory's old-fashioned employees, particularly macho lunkhead Don (Joe Coots) who vocally objects to the company's new direction and Lola's very existence. Meanwhile, Charlie is unaware of the burgeoning crush that assembly line worker Lauren (the terrific Lindsay Nicole Chambers) has been reluctantly nursing from across the factory floor. When he later enlists lovestruck Lauren for a more involved position within the company, she is, of course, over-the-moon, despite waxing nostalgic about her doomed, past dalliances with "wrong guys."

As one may have guessed, complications and disagreements arise---both personal and business-wise---as the factory busily finishes up the new line for its eventual Milan debut, testing everyone's reserve and stress levels, while at the same time, slowly opening up the hearts and minds of everyone involved. The ultimate challenge in the grand scheme of things? "Accepting another person for who they are." Yep, it's more than just the shoes.

Well, it's not much of a spoiler to say that all goes well by show's end. Should we have expected any less from a musical comedy?

Joyful and celebratory of every individual's uniqueness, KINKY BOOTS finds a nice-enough balance between sass and heart, all the while promoting a pro-tolerance stance without verging on preachy. Through humor, the show keeps things light pretty much throughout, but allows slivers of emotional gravitas to peek through every so often, making the show's narrative shortcuts forgivable in the big picture.

Alongside its self-love propaganda lies a deeper, more heartfelt theme: our inescapable need to gain our parents' approval---that longing that stretches even to adulthood for them to feel proud of us no matter what path we may end up taking with our lives. It's a commonality the two small-town boys Charlie and Simon (aka Lola) are surprised to discover in one another, despite considerably different adult paths.

That shared emotion soon helps the two entrepreneurs forge a sincere friendship and a business partnership, that is, once they accept the notion that neither of them can realistically fulfill what their fathers have predetermined for them. We all want to please our parents and their wishes, but is it worth sacrificing expressing our own wants and desires?

So as lively and smile-inducing as the upbeat music is, the real, emotional go-to's for KINKY BOOTS are its beautifully-crafted ballads that speak to one's longing for parental (and to a larger extent) societal acceptance. Lauper, I have to say, should be applauded for capturing these heart-tugging emotions so well in her music, a laudable feat for the first-time Broadway composer. One listen to the cast album, and you'll note how each song is an intriguing, memorable composition that doesn't feel at all like filler. And even on tour, the songs feel just as fresh and entertaining as the first listen (if only, at times, the sound mix in the theater would get some fine-tuning so the lyrics doesn't sound so garbled).

Adding to the show's splendor are David Rockwell's sets---ranging from drab industrial to eye-popping glam---and Gregg Barnes' costumes (yes, Lola and the Angels look spectacular from head to toe).

And, of course, KINKY BOOTS wouldn't be as enjoyable to watch without the exemplary, infectiously giddy performances of its exceptional tour cast, led by Booth as aww-shucks adorkable boy next door Charlie and the divalicious Parker as the strong-willed, vivacious, unapologetic Lola/Simon. Together, the two have a lovely, unmistakable rapport that the audience buys instantly. Parker's work in-and-out of drag is just remarkable, but really wins hearts (and earns some tear-stained eyes) during a pair of magnificent solos in "Not My Father's Son" and his Whitney-esque 11 o'clock showstopper "Hold Me In Your Heart." What a wonderful performance! (Even more joyous to see? Parker mouthing to co-star Booth "ohmigosh, that's sooo many people!" during the cast bows as he stared out to 3,000+ audience members cheering on their feet during the show's OC opening night performance).

Also worth noting... scene-stealing Chambers (a personal favorite of mine from the Submissions Only web series) easily wins our cheers and affections as Lauren, while Coots does a great job transitioning from stereotypical closed-mindedness to late-stage enlightenment without a hint of artifice. Many members of the ensemble also have their little moments to shine as individuals (particularly during the second act), and do so with great enthusiasm. Everyone clearly enjoys the musical they're in and it shows.

And let's not forget Lola's Angels---Darius Harper, Tommy Martinez, Nick McGough, Ricky Schroeder, Juan Torres-Falcon, and Hernando Umana---who all make fabulosity, flexibility, and fierceness look downright effortless.

When you watch KINKY BOOTS, its futile to resist its charms. No matter how hard you try, you're guaranteed a smile or two---and, perhaps, even a renewed feeling of optimism with the world we live in. And how can you not love a show that dares put sexy thigh-high boots on the burliest of men (extra kudos to you, Sam Zeller) and make it look completely marvelous?

But beyond that, what's truly endearing about KINKY BOOTS is that, at its true core, sparks a musical that unabashedly celebrates every kind of individuality---whether you're posh or poor, conservative or liberal, butch or feminine, cautious or an adventurer.... a lady or a gentleman... or someone yet to make up their mind.

It may seem like a hokey, clichéd message, but darn it, it's still a message worth spreading.

Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Photos from the 1st National Tour of KINKY BOOTS by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of SCFTA.

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Performances of the First National Tour of KINKY BOOTS continues at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through January 11, 2015. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.

For tickets or more information, visit SCFTA.org.

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