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‘Kinky Boots’ steps up
By John Benson
22Exactly 30 years after Lauper won a Grammy Award for her debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” the talented songwriter returned to the same theme of not judging people who are different with the musical “Kinky Boots.” She ended up winning the Tony Award for Best Score.
The production, which won a total of six Tonys, including Best Musical — makes its Northeast Ohio debut Tuesday through April 19 at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace.
The plot — inspired by true events — revolves around a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton, where Charlie Price is watching his family business falter while dealing with his father’s high expectations.
When Lola, a cabaret performer and drag queen, arrives in Price’s life searching for sturdy stilettos, nothing is the same again.
For Lauper, an Emmy Award-winning actress who has appeared on Broadway, the notion of writing “Kinky Boots” with Tony Award-winning Harvey Fierstein was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“‘Kinky Boots’ is a great story,” wrote Lauper via email last year. “One of Broadway’s greatest gifts, Harvey Fierstein, wrote the book. One of Broadway’s great directors [Jerry Mitchell,] who happens to be a world-class choreographer, directed and choreographed the show. And I wrote the songs. How lucky was I to make my Broadway debut with these great creative geniuses?”
“Kinky Boots” opened on Broadway two years ago to standing-room-only crowds nightly. The show, which has broken all box-office records at the Hirschfeld Theatre, recouped its costs in October 2013, after just 30 weeks on Broadway.
Further, the musical won an unprecedented six 2013 Tony Awards, which is the most of any show in the season. The production also received the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Broadway.com Awards for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album.
It’s been quite the unusual career for Lauper, who is one short accolade away from being in rare air as an EGOT winner. That’s Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. The “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” singer would join the likes of Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks and Whoopi Goldberg.
When asked if she thought about the EGOT nod, Lauper said she really wanted to go for it. Even though she’s also known for her acting, the 61-year-old said she was interested in writing music for films.
Considering her unlikely — if not unexpected — success, which began three decades ago hanging around with professional wrestlers on MTV, haters should be warned about betting against Lauper.
As for “Kinky Boots,” what is it about the production that has touched a nerve with audiences?
“It tells a universal story about love and acceptance,” Lauper said. “It’s a show with a big heart, and people respond to that. To love your family and your friends and your co-workers for who they are. For not judging someone that is not like you because guess what, you will find you have more in common than not.
“I hope when people leave the show, they feel compelled to call some- one they love and tell them. That moms and dads call their kids and say, ‘I love you just the way you are.’”