Kinky Boots is a Broadway musical that premiered in 2013 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City. Based on the 2005 British film of the same name, Kinky Boots features a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. The musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his father’s failing shoe factory. To save the business, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots for drag queens. Kinky Boots explores themes of acceptance, tolerance, and being true to oneself.
Background on Kinky Boots the Musical
Kinky Boots opened on Broadway in April 2013 after a five week out-of-town tryout in Chicago. The production was directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. It received rave reviews from critics and quickly established itself as one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. Kinky Boots received 13 Tony Award nominations in 2013 and won 6 awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score (Lauper), and Best Actor in a Musical (Billy Porter).
The musical has grossed over $300 million on Broadway since opening. A national tour launched in 2014 along with productions in Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. The West End production opened in 2015 and won 3 Laurence Olivier Awards. Overall, Kinky Boots has won over 20 major international awards.
Synopsis of Kinky Boots
Charlie Price grows up dreaming of leaving his small English factory town and taking over his father’s shoe business, Price & Son. However, Price & Son is on the verge of bankruptcy due to trends toward cheap foreign labor. When Charlie’s father dies suddenly, Charlie inherits the company but has no idea how to turn things around.
On a trip to London, Charlie has a chance encounter with Lola, a fabulous drag queen. Lola complains that it’s impossible to find men’s shoes that fit her size 13 feet and are sturdy enough to withstand her dance routine. Charlie is inspired to develop a niche market selling custom fetish boots for drag queens.
Charlie and Lola design a prototype knee-high boot in shiny red patent leather. Charlie must fight to re-energize the factory and overcome his own discomfort with the new Kinky Boots product. Meanwhile, Lola reconnects with her father, who rejects her.
Things come to a head when the red boots are stolen before an important fashion show. The factory employees rally to recreate the boots and get them to the show on time. On the runway, Lolamodels the boots herself and introduces Charlie as her business partner. The Kinky Boots are a huge hit.
Notable Songs
Some of the popular musical numbers from Kinky Boots include:
– “Price & Son” – Opening number where Charlie sings of his ambivalence taking over the family business
– “The Most Beautiful Thing” – Lola recalls her risky decision to pursue her dream of being a drag queen performer
– “Everybody Say Yeah” – Upbeat company number celebrating acceptance and diversity
– “I’m Not My Father’s Son” – Charlie struggles with self-doubt and living up to expectations
– “Hold Me in Your Heart” – Lola asks her father to reconcile their differences and accept her
– “Raise You Up/Just Be” – Joyous finale as Lola and Charlie celebrate making Kinky Boots a success
Is Kinky Boots still running on Broadway?
Yes, Kinky Boots is still running at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, over 10 years after its Broadway debut.
In June 2022, Kinky Boots surpassed a major milestone, celebrating its 3000th performance on Broadway. It remains the 70th longest running Broadway show in history.
The current Broadway cast is led by Callum Francis as Lola and Christian Douglas as Charlie Price. The director is still Jerry Mitchell.
While a few cast members have come and gone, Kinky Boots has managed to keep its core creative team intact all these years. Billy Porter played Lola for the first 1,000 performances but departed in 2014. Stark Sands, who originated the role of Charlie Price, exited in 2015.
In the competitive Broadway landscape, it’s quite rare these days for a show to run for over 10 years continuously. Unlike some long-running hits such as Chicago or The Lion King, Kinky Boots has never taken a break or temporarily closed. Its longevity is a testament to its uplifting story, fan favorite songs, and themes of acceptance that still resonate today.
Kinky Boots Broadway Awards and Milestones
Here are some of the major awards and milestones from Kinky Boot’s historic Broadway run:
– 6 Tony Awards in 2013 including Best Musical
– Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2014
– Surpassed 1,000 performances in 2016
– Cyndi Lauper’s score became the first by a solo female to win the Tony for Best Score
– Lauper also became the first female to win alone for Best Score
– 2,507 performances in June 2019 makes Kinky Boots the 25th longest running show in Broadway history
– Hit 2,500 performances in September 2019
– Celebrated 3,000th Broadway performance in June 2022
What makes Kinky Boots so special and successful?
There are several factors that explain the staying power of Kinky Boots on Broadway:
Uplifting Story and Message
Kinky Boots has an incredibly positive, feel-good storyline about accepting differences and chasing your dreams. Musicals with big heart and underdog characters often resonate strongly with audiences. During tough times, enjoyable escapist entertainment tends to thrive.
Critical Acclaim
The show received great reviews from the outset, even from notoriously tough critics. This critical buzz helped drive interest and establish Kinky Boots as a must-see show. Being awarded 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical further boosted its reputation.
Catchy Pop Score
Cyndi Lauper’s pop songs are infectious and perfectly suited for a musical. The soundtrack works well as a cohesive album. Hits like “Sex is in the Heel” and “Just Be” are performed frequently at concerts and events outside the musical.
Strong Word of Mouth
Thanks to its feel-good story, Kinky Boots has generated excellent word of mouth from audiences. Many ticket buyers attend at the recommendation of friends and return to see it again. Positive word of mouth helps sells tickets.
Production Values
The set, costumes, choreography, and lighting create an eye-popping visual spectacle. Kinky Boots feels like a fresh, exciting production that holds up year after year. The flashy drag costumes keep the musical timely and relevant.
Talented Cast
Billy Porter and Stark Sands were perfectly cast in the original lead roles. Their successors have kept the show energized. Having former Broadway stars like J. Harrison Ghee as Lola ensures box office sales.
How has Kinky Boots managed to defy the odds and stay open so long?
For a hit musical to run over 10 years straight is incredibly rare these days. Kinky Boots has defied the odds thanks to several smart decisions:
Maintaining the Same Theatre
Kinky Boots has played its entire run in the intimate, 1,435 seat Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Having a consistent home helps keep productions costs low compared to moving to different venues.
Special Deals for New Audiences
The producers offer special discounts on select tickets for first time theatergoers along with student rush tickets starting at $39. This helps continually introduce new fans to the show.
International Productions
Profitable tours and overseas productions of Kinky Boots enables the Broadway production to stay afloat as those generate additional revenue.
Costume Rentals
Renting out the iconic costumes to high schools and regional productions provides another income stream. The Kinky Boots brand stays relevant.
Recasting Leads
While a few ensemble members have stayed long-term, the producers have regularly recast the lead roles. This infusion of fresh stars like J. Harrison Ghee keeps attracting audiences.
Social Media Engagement
The cast actively promotes the show on Instagram and TikTok. Using current social media platforms allows Kinky Boots to reach younger audiences.
Special Events
Things like anniversary celebrations and guest performers help make Kinky Boots feel like a unique experience for repeat attendees rather than just another show.
What does the future hold for Kinky Boots?
Kinky Boots seems poised to continue its run for the foreseeable future. Here is what might be next:
National Tour
The first national tour concluded in 2020 after a 6 year run. A revamped tour could attract new audiences who didn’t catch the show on Broadway.
International Productions
The London production closed in 2019, so opening Kinky Boots in new overseas markets such as Australia could boost profits.
Anniversary Revival
It’s possible Kinky Boots could take a brief hiatus and return to Broadway for a 15th or 20th anniversary revival with a refreshed take.
Amateur Licensing
Releasing the rights for more amateur and regional productions could keep the Kinky Boots brand alive for decades like other hit shows.
Movie Adaptation
A new film version for streaming or movie theaters would expose the story and music to wider pop culture audiences.
COVID-19 Interruption
The biggest threat is if rising COVID cases or a new variant forces Broadway shows to close temporarily again. This would put Kinky Boots’ future at risk.
Conclusion
Thanks to its uplifting story, pop score, and powerful themes of acceptance, Kinky Boots has defied the odds to become an unlikely Broadway institution. After over 3,000 performances at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, the musical continues to thrill audiences night after night.
Kinky Boots has carved out an enduring niche thanks to smart marketing and creative producing decisions. With continued community engagement and potentially new productions, it’s easy to imagine those red boots strutting their way across the Broadway stage for many more years. Kinky Boots serves as an inspirational example that a show can still flourish far beyond its expected lifespan.