by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.
When “Kinky Boots” comes to Pittsburgh, Broadway comes to the ‘Burgh. They even brought home their star player for the National tour, our own tour de force, Billy Porter.
“Kinky Boots” is based on a story of a real life shoe factory owner, Steve Pateman, who, in an attempt to save his struggling, family business, a shoe factory, began developing a line of ‘kinky boots’ in men’s sizes. The BBC documentary became a movie, which, in turn, became a Broadway musical.
When Charlie Price (Steve Booth) is about to lose his father’s factory, he realizes he has to do something drastic (dragstic?). When he meets a flamboyant drag diva, who breaks a heel (and almost breaks Charlie’s nose) in a back alley brawl, you can almost see the light bulb go off above his head. Plot A is established. Charlie plans to fill a niche market and turn Price and Son into a purveyor of “Kinky Boots.”
Let’s pause a moment and discuss our drag diva:
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl, with a yellow wig masquerading as her hair, and a dress cut down to there, she stole every scene that she was in; I will declare her act a win. Lola/Simon (Billy Porter) sparkles in her/his opening number, “Land of Lola” (and not because her dress is bedazzled with a billion sequins). Porter channels Tina Turner, shimmying, shimmering and strutting on the stage. It’s no accident that this local man became a Broadway star. He’s loaded with charisma, shining through a sea of spangled drag dancers (his chorus of colorful queens, the Angels).
Things get dicey when Lola visits Charlie at his factory (note: the only chocolate at Charlie’s factory is the boring brown men’s shoe his family has been manufacturing for a century). Lola encounters Don (Joe Coots) who, at first, is unaware that Lola is wolf in sheep’s clothing. Lola reveals her identity to the burly factory worker and Don moves quickly from shock to anger, which sets up a B plot.
There are a few additional plot threads about Charlie’s cold fish fiancée, Nicola (Grace Stockdale) and the lovelorn Lauren (Lindsay Nicole Chambers), but it’s really the story of two young boys who dream of bigger things. Both boys want to break free of their father’s expectations.
Technically, it’s really about big, showy Broadway numbers, full of pomp and circumstance, littered with a few breezy quips (every possible iteration of a shoe joke is made, including a soul/soul song but, hey, that’s shoe biz). I feel like a real heel for mentioning it, but Broadway musicals always have a painful pun or two, but some of those jokes are flatter than a pair of sandals.
Our love-struck Lauren does get one shining moment of her own, when she sings about her crush, Charlie, in “The History of Wrong Guys.” It’s a comical and fun song, and Chambers does a superb job.
Act One closes with a literal show-stopper, “Everybody Say Yeah,” where Charlie, Lola, the Angels and the ensemble strut around the factory and dance on conveyor belts. It seemed like an oddly upbeat spot to break for intermission, but wine and beer must be sold.
In Act Two, the plot lines start to tie up, like a size seven loafer. Lola/Simon goes into a boxing ring with Don. She’s in her satin tights, fighting for her rights and the red, white and blue (in this case, the Union Jack, not Old Glory). Charlie breaks it off with his fiancée. Everyone frets about the big shoe show in Italy.
The show culminates at the aforementioned fashion show in Milan, “Raise You Up/Just Be” is a glorious anthem to letting your freak flag fly, with lovable lyrics like, “The ones you love, are gonna set you free! Feed your fire, to take you higher. We’ll light you up like a live wire. Celebrate you, to elevate you, when you struggle to step, we’ll take a helping hand.” It’s a joyous, momentous number that lifts the audience to their feet.
Who better than Harvey Fierstein (who wrote the book) and Cyndi Lauper (who wrote the music and lyrics) to remind you of your own uniqueness? They are no strangers to strange.
David Rockwell’s scenic design is a marvel. The warehouse set is a masterpiece of interlocking parts and swiveling pieces, complete with working conveyor belts.
The circus has come to town; it’s flashy, colorful, showy and spectacular. It’s a must-see show for any musical theater fan.
One last word about Porter, he enlivens every scene he’s in (especially when dressed in a dress), he plays a big, ballsy (ironically?) drag queen, with loud clothes and a loud mouth, who has a softer, quieter side (in men’s wear). Every scene is perfection. He really is a star.
“Kinky Boots” runs through the week, till August 9 at the Benedum Center, 7th Street, between Penn and Liberty, Downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For tickets and additional information, go here.
-MB.
