BWW Reviews: KINKY BOOTS National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center

Based on the 2005 British independent film of the same name which was inspired by a true story, this musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits a shoe factory from his father. To save the business, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen, Lola. With Lola's help, Charlie develops a plan to produce a line of high-heeled boots. In the process, he and Lola discover that they are not so different after all.

Kinky Boots which features a book by four-time Tony-Winner Harvey Fierstein and a score by Grammy-Winner Cyndi Lauper made its Broadway debut on April 4th, 2013. The musical which still runs to this day, would go on to win 6 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The national touring production currently playing through March 15th has a great Tony Award-Winning musical theatre score by Cyndi Lauper brought to life by some very infectious orchestrations by Tony-Winner Stephen Oremus. But at the center of it all is a very funny book by Harvey Fierstein that's filled with lots of heart. As Charlie Price, Steven Booth displays a whole lot of charisma playing a hero hiding under a victim's mantle. North Carolina native J. Harrison Ghee truly shines as Lola, a drag queen with winning ways. Lindsay Nicole Chambers is perfectly cast as Lauren, a strong working class girl who later develops a crush on Charlie. Other standouts include Joe Coots as Don, a burly hyper-masculine factory worker; Grace Stockdale as Nicola, Charlie's driven and uncompromising long-term girlfriend; and Craig Waletzko as George, the reserved, middle-aged factory manager.

This production is very skillfully directed (and choreographed) by Tony-Winner Jerry Mitchell who literally creates some very cinematic staging. From John Shivers' effective Tony-Winning sound designs; Kenneth Posner's brilliant lighting designs; David Rockwell's inventive scenery; and Gregg Barnes' colorful costumes.

Kinky Boots should not only have you leaving the theatre having a great time, but it will also leave you with a heart filled with joy!

For more information regarding the tour: http://kinkybootsthemusical.com/

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