Review: KINKY BOOTS at Robinson Performance Hall-The Most Beautiful Thing in the World is watching this amazing cast shine like a sequined covered stiletto!

Kinky Boots struts it's stuff right into Little Rock. The 2013 Tony winner for Best musical is a joyous, funny and timely show that entertains even the straightest of laces. It's amazing how much more important the message of the show seems right now.

Charlie Price (Lance Bordelon) is a young Brit who has no desire to work in the family shoe factory that turns out pricey men's shoes. He moves to London with his demanding girlfriend (Hayley Lampart). The sudden death of his father forces Charlie to move back and try to save the factory from closing down. Fate intervenes when he meets the outrageous Lola (Jos N. Banks). She is a drag queen, who along with her backup dancers, the "Angels", just can't find fabulous footwear with heels that support their manly weight. Charlie and Lola discover that although they make up an unlikely partnership, their passion and skills can overcome anything.

The cast is perfection in every way. Lance Bordelon brings just the right amount of innocence and energy to his part, along with a wonderful voice that hits all the right notes. He shows a quiet fear in "Charlie's Soliloquy" and then blows that away with his determination on "Step One." Jos N. Banks is stunning, flawless and powerful throughout. Whether singing the brassy "Land of Lola" or the thrilling "Sex is in the Heel" We also see his gorgeous softer side along with Charlie on "Not My Father's Son."

Another standout is Lauren, the employee crushing on Charlie played by the petite powerhouse Sydney Patrick whose blend of comic timing and knock-your-socks-off vocal chops is incredible. Don, played with devilish delight by Adam du Plessis, is exactly the kind of guy's guy we would expect to work in a factory. Another hidden gem in this production is George played by John Anker Bow. He steals several scenes with his perfectly-timed delivery. Hayley Lampart as the hoighty-toighty girlfriend is an annoying delight. The final shout-out has to go to the "Angels" played by Brandon Alberto, Eric Stanton Betts, Derek Brazeau, Tyler Jent, Tony Tillman and Ernest Terrelle Williams. They were Fantastic!

The industrial-looking yet versatile set by David Rockwell was at times harsh and cold and then suddenly alive with color. It allowed the show to move from scene to scene without a wasted second. The lighting by Kenneth Posner was the perfect blend of stark and vibrant. Gregg Barnes created costumes that were almost characters themselves. They were so fun and colorful, you couldn't wait for the next scene change to see what else was coming. Finally, Jerry Mitchell's direction and choreography was impeccable. The inventive dances made you want to jump up and join the party. The only thing that would have made this show better was if they had added a third act, not because the show wasn't complete but because we didn't want it to end.

Kinky Boots finishes in Little Rock October 15 before heading off to Michigan.

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