As we kick our way through the holiday season, you may find yourself looking for something a bit different from the rest—a palate cleanser, perhaps, something that will dilute the ultra sugar while yet remaining sweet. The Theatre League in Wichita just might have what you are looking for—Kinky Boots, the story of Charlie Price, a shoe factory owner, and Lola, the drag queen who helps save his business. Ultimately, these two people from completely different worlds find that they do have something in common, after all.
Kinky Boots is based on a 2005 British film that was inspired by a true story, told in an episode of the documentary television series Trouble at the Top, broadcast on BBC2 in 1999. The initial critical reception was tepid, and the musical was not expected to perform well in the 2013 Tony Awards season. However, the show proved so popular at the box office that critics took a second look. Kinky Boots went on to win six Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Score for Cyndi Lauper. This was Lauper's first attempt at writing music for Broadway, and not only did she win, she was the first woman to win solo in the category. With choreography by Jerry Mitchell and book by Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots is, at heart, a story of kindness, friendship, and finding common ground.
You can see Kinky Boots onstage at Century II Concert Hall from January 9th through January 11th.
