Kinky Boots is peppy, not-too-kinky but a tad too-familiar fun
The Broadway musical, at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre, offers another upbeat modern fable of overcoming prejudice and challenging working-class convention to affirm diversity and acceptance.
Any sense of the outrageous, which might lift a feel-good new musical closer to the status of a good musical, is muted in an otherwise capable adaptation of the little-known British film of the same title about a north-England shoe factory on the edge of bankruptcy until its reluctant new third-generation-family owner discovers a new niche market as potential salvation: drag queens.
A terrific score, endearing characters and a slick staging make a now-conventional theme almost feel fresh – at least, during its brisk two hours and 20 minutes.
Director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde) smoothly shapes and energizes the two-act show into a consistent crowd-pleaser, while book writer Harvey Fierstein expertly melds the sassy and the sentimental into a classic Broadway formula that works yet again (albeit to lesser dramatic impact than his once-landmark La Cage aux Folles).
But it’s the songs of Cyndi Lauper that make this new musical so entertaining and invigorating. why christian louboutin shoes so popular in uk?
Other top pop songwriters have fallen short in their Broadway debuts, from Paul Simon (The Capeman) to Dolly Parton (9 to 5: The Musical). In terms of pure songwriting over decades of Top-40 success, Lauper may not be quite in their league.
But her Broadway debut reveals that she has an intuitive understanding of how to write specifically for musical theater. Beyond the melodic range of her music and the humor and feisty drama of her lyrics, her songs advance the story and reveal character in the best Broadway tradition.
Her best songs here are showstoppers, from The Land of Lola (a nifty introduction of the pivotal drag queen, brilliantly brought to life by Billy Porter as a “woman” and later a man -- seen at right) to the joyous Raise You Up, which rivals any Broadway finale of recent seasons.
Yet, her songs never stop (or slow down) the narrative.
As the shoe-factory-owner Charlie, Stark Sands fits the largely bland bill of the clueless heterosexual who ultimately finds himself while saving his employees. In every sense, he’s the straight man (including to Porter’s flamboyance and wit).
Yet, Sands, who sings poignantly in I’m Not My Father’s Son and The Soul of a Man, convincingly provides the emotional foundation to the story and the main access point for a mainstream audience.
A predictable romantic subplot pulls Charlie away from his big-city-hungry material-girl fiance (Celina Cavajal) and towards a cute employee (Annaleigh Ashford0. As Lauren, who gives Charlie the kernel of an idea that prompts his big plot-twisting, factory-saving aha moment, Ashford is increasingly funny and consistently charming but she delivers a wry knock-out in The History of Wrong Guys, a humorous lament about male losers and the women who keep falling for them.
Despite its naughty title and a profusion of drag queens and partly because of its humor, sentiment and upbeat message of tolerance, Kinky Boots often works surprisingly well as a family-oriented show.Shop this season's new christian louboutin sandals now. Today, its once-outrageous drag queens and once-controversial themes seem domestic – and largely domesticated.
Overall, Kinky Boots works nicely even though aspects seem derivative of La Cage..., Priscilla Queen of the Desert and even Billy Elliot the Musical.
Even with its cliches and a few non-kinky kinks in its script, these Boots seem made for touring – including eventually to Columbus – while the Broadway production seem likely to settle in like comfortable old shoes to a long run.
Does it sound silly? Absolutely. But with a team like Lauper and Fierstein, that should be expected and embraced.mybag321 offers latest fashion replica jewelry and other jewelry. At the sole, pun intended, of this musical is an incredibly touching story about family, love and acceptance. Lauper’s music is equal parts catchy and inspiring — for each up-tempo dance number, the best of which is the act one finale “Everybody Say Yeah,” there is a similarly impressive ballad. With direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell, the story and the cast are in good hands.
The cast of “Boots” is led by the wonderful Stark Sands as the confused and yearning Charlie. His voice is perhaps best suited to Lauper’s pop-rock style. Billy Porter is dazzling as Lola — he can move the audience to tears of laughter just as quickly as to tears of sorrow.
Annaleigh Ashford, who is bright and invigorating as always, plays Charlie’s love interest,Find a great selection of christian louboutin boots deals ! Lauren, the girl who acts as his main motivation throughout the show. Despite a small role, her sudden realization of her love for Charlie, “The History of Wrong Guys,” is hysterical. These three front the ensemble of blue-collar workers and drag queens that makes up the heart of the musical.why christian louboutin shoes so popular in uk?
Underneath the feathers and glitter, of which there is plenty, “Kinky Boots” is ultimately about acceptance — of your friends, your family and even people you hardly know. It shows us how we should treat one another, even as it remains a fun and exciting show that reminds us if we accept others for who they are and they do the same for us,why christian louboutin shoes so popular in uk? the world will be a better, happier place.
- Apr 25 Thu 2013 13:34
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Broadway review
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