Original Broadway Cast Member Kyle Taylor Parker to Join Toronto's KINKY BOOTS

Producers Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig and David Mirvish announced today that original Broadway cast member Kyle Taylor Parker will join the Toronto company as 'Lola' in the Tony Award-winning musical KINKY BOOTS at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Parker, who played 'Lola' on Broadway and on tour, will take over the role in Toronto, beginning March 15, 2016.

KINKY BOOTS opened in Toronto on June 16, 2015, and was originally scheduled to play a 12-week run. Popular demand has extended the run five times, now playing through May 15, 2016.

Alan Mingo Jr, who originated the role of 'Lola' in Toronto and received unanimous rave reviews, will join the Broadway company of KINKY BOOTS at the Al Hirschfield Theatre on March 29, 2016. Mingo succeeds Emmy Award-winner Wayne Brady in the role of 'Lola'. Mingo will play his final performance in Toronto on March 13, 2016.

Kyle Taylor Parker will take over the role of 'Lola' on March 15, 2016. Parker was as a member of the original Broadway Company of KINKY BOOTS. He launched the national tour of the show as 'Lola' and received accolades from critics across the United States:

"Parker is a dazzler of a female illusionist. Lola doesn't just command the stage, she rules it with the beauty of Beyoncé and the authority of a four-star general." - Chicago Sun Times

"Kyle Taylor Parker endows Lola with swagger and charisma, leavened with vulnerability, particularly in Parker's powerful, show-stopping performance of "Hold Me In Your Heart,' sung to Lola's elderly and ailing father. " - Boston Globe

"Kyle Taylor Parker is a ravishing & supremely self-confident." - Hartford Courant

Graham Scott Fleming, who plays Charlie Price in the Toronto production of Kinky Boots told BroadwayWorld exclusively this morning: "When I first met Alan Mjngo Jr, I knew right from the beginning that I was in store for something special. He was so gracious, kind and a complete sweetheart who was as over the moon to work on this project as I was. Not only is he an incredible person on and off stage, he is one of the most stunning performers I have ever watched/ performed with.

The elegance, the sex, the fierce persona that Alan brings to Lola is not just something that is fun to watch, but it is inspiring to see. The way he brings Lola and Simon to life, allows audience members to connect so easily with his genuine comedic approach. Working with Alan has taught me more than I could ever wish for on and off stage.

I am so sad to lose him, but so happy that is bringing his passionate performance to the Broadway stage in NYC! I love him with all my heart. We created a forever friendship and I will remain a huge fan of his no doubt. I can't wait to work with him again one day! When doing my research for the role of Charlie in Kinky Boots, I was lucky enough to see Kyle perform as Lola on Broadway. I was instantly drawn to his performance. Audiences in Toronto are in for a treat with Kyle's performance! I can't wait to work and play with him!"

Parker is a graduate of the prestigious American Musical Dramatic Academy in NY. His other Broadway credits include Lin Manuel Miranda's first Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights. This will be his Canadian debut.

About KINKY BOOTS

KINKY BOOTS brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for Kinky Boots).

With songs by Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen's shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father's expectations and continue the family business of Price & Sons. With the factory's future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray) and a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), KINKY BOOTS is the winner of 6 Broadway Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography.

The design team for KINKY BOOTS includes Tony Award nominee David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes (Costume Design), Tony Award-winner Kenneth Posner (Lighting Design), Tony Award-winner John Shivers (Sound Design), Josh Marquette (Hair Design), Stephanie Gorin and Telsey + Company/Justin Huff, CSA (Casting), with Musical Supervision and Arrangements and Orchestrations by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Stephen Oremus.

KINKY BOOTS is produced by Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig, James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Independent Presenters Network, Jayne Baron Sherman, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Judith Ann Abrams, Yasuhiro Kawana, Jane Bergere, Allan S. Gordon & Adam S. Gordon, Ken Davenport, Hunter Arnold, Lucy and Phil Suarez, Bryan Bantry, Jim Kierstead/Gregory Rae, BB Group/Christina Papagjika, Michael DeSantis/Patrick Baugh, Brian Smith/Tom and Connie Walsh, Warren Trepp and Jujamcyn Theaters in association with David Mirvish.

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