Kinky Boots
Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell
Composer and Lyricist – Cyndi Lauper
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Al Hirchfeld Theatre
March 24, 2018
Production website
💉💉💉 out of 5

Kinky Boots lived up to everything I expected!  It was fun and silly and didn’t pretend to be anything that it couldn’t deliver.  I felt like a was watching a bit of Billy Elliot, Hairspray, and La Cage,   Kinky Boots shared the same themes of individuality, love, and fierceness that connect all the shows above – but I did NOT get bored.  Never once did I look at my watch.  It kept me involved the entire time.  Speaking of fierceness, Wayne Brady rocks.  He is so potent on stage that you simply cannot take your eyes off of him- whether he is singing or not – dressed as a woman or not, you find yourself right in the palm of his hand.  Further I loved that he did not use this drag performance to make fun of drag queens or women.  He joyously chose to celebrate both groups.  And, man, could he sing.

The rest of the show moved along toward its rather expected climax – but that didn’t matter.  I cared less about the destination of the musical and rather fully enjoyed the journey getting there.  Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters was a sweet touch to the play.  It is clear this  is his first foray onto the stage – but that actually worked FOR him and not against him.  His natural sweetness and naivety was quite intoxicating.

I did have a bit of trouble in Act 2 when our shoemaker suddenly looses it with Lola and attacks her for essentially being a freak.  This really did come out of nowhere.  I know that it was needed structurally to have a sweet accord struck in the final moments – but someone could have taken a bit more care with this moment.

I had fun.  Just fun.  A bit pricy ticket for fun – but what hell – I am a theatre addict.