Live local musical theater in Kansas City opens for 2023 with a delightful, surprising and unexpected production of the 2013 six-time Tony Award winner “Kinky Boots”. The premise of ‘Kinky Boots’ takes the audience back in time to Northampton in the North Midlands area of the United Kingdom just before the turn of the twenty-first century.
The more or less true story of “Kinky Boots” takes place in the unlikely setting of the White Theater inside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. The show teaches life lessons about finding your passion and finding value in people who are different from us. Despite the rather bold logo, the show isn’t about what you might fear. The show has a clever book by Harvey Fierstein and a sparkling score by rock star Cindy Lauper.
Charlie Price (Zane Champie) is the fourth generation scion of a manufacturer of fine men’s shoes, which is a major employer in Northampton. It is expected that one day he will take over the business. Charlie is engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Nicola (Ashton Botts), who longs for the bright lights and exciting lifestyle of London.
Much to his father’s dismay, men’s shoes bored Charlie. He takes Nicola to that more exciting lifestyle. No sooner has the couple fixed up their new apartment than the phone rings with the news that Elder Price has died. Charlie is needed at home.
Meanwhile, we are introduced to Simon/Lola (Robert Vardiman), the son of a professional boxer, who has a fascination for performing in women’s clothing. She grows up to be a drag queen. Charlie Price and Lola/Simon in the White Theater’s production of ‘Kinky Boots’ Photo by Luke Harbur
Charlie returns to Northampton only to deal with yet another crisis. The shoe factory’s major customer has just canceled orders and The Warehouse is full of unsold high quality men’s shoes. Just like in the US, much of the manufacturing was outsourced to cheap labor overseas. Charlie’s father borrowed his own assets rather than lay off the people who have worked in the family business for generations. What to do?
Charlie returns to London and leans on an old friend at a local pub to buy the excess Lola/Simon (Robert Vardiman) in full performance mode in the White Theater production of Kinky Boots Photo by Luke Harbur
inventory. Leaving the pub, Charlie notices two drunks harassing a “woman”. He intervenes and is knocked out for the disturbance. The “woman,” the Lola/Simon character, whom Charlie tried to save, turns out to be a local drag performer and former professional boxer. She takes care of her abusers with her fists, and she takes care of Charlie, the “would be savior”.
This is a new world for Charlie. Note that these male performers struggle with high-heeled shoes designed for women. It turns out that Lola/Simon, his backup singers (The Angels), prove to be excellent performers.
Charlie returns to Northampton to close the business and lay off staff. A worker, Lauren (Maryann Traxler) is upset about being fired. As part of her rant about her, she helps Charlie birth an outrageous idea. Maybe Charlie can save the Price and Sons factory by trying to serve a “niche market”.
Charlie brings together Lauren’s idea and his drag club experience. He wonders if making “Kinky Boots” might just be his “underserved niche market” needed to save the company. Charlie contacts Lola/Simon and convinces him to come work at Price and Sons and help achieve his goal.
Charlie and Lola/Simon create a line of “Kinky Boots”. Charlie is running out of money to market his creations at the Milanese equivalent of fashion week. He feels desperate, but the combination of his factory staff and Lola/Simon plus backup singers save the day by repaying their salaries and acting as models.
The Factory Set by Kinky BootsPhoto by Luke Harbor
The show is extremely entertaining and makes some major points. Tim Bair director and choreographer Liz Ernst did an amazing job with a community cast. Musically, the cast and orchestra led by Marsha Canaday pulled off a great performance from a super cast and ensemble. These folks produced top-notch venues and production numbers.
All the support staff including production designer Jeremy Smith, lighting designer Justin Dudzik and sound designer Jonathan Robertson deserve credit for an excellent production.
“Kinky Boots” continues at the White Theater until February 19th. Tickets are available at www.thejkc.org or by phone at 913-327-8054.
