Vincent Kempski as Charlie and Solomon Parker III as Lola with the Angels in “Kinky Boots” at Olney Theatre Center. Photo Credit: DJ Corey Photography
“Kinky Boots,” with a Tony® and Grammy®-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Tony®-winner Harvey Fierstein, is currently playing at the Olney Theatre Center. The musical is based on the 2005 British film of the same name, written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. The musical opened in Chicago in 2012 and then on Broadway in 2013. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and one six, including Best Actor in a Musical for the magnificent Billy Porter (who played Lola) and Best Musical.
From the time Parker enters, his Lola is hot, sexy, and sassy…Much of the spectacle is due to the fine direction of Jason Loewith, along with the choreography of Tara Jeanne Vallee.
Charlie Price (Vincent Kempski) inherits his family’s shoe factory after moving to London with his present girlfriend, Nicola (Candice Shedd-Thompson). Unfortunately, the factory is now almost bankrupt. Fatefully, he meets Lola (Solomon Parker III), a drag queen, and discovers that this type of entertainer is in need of kinky, high-heeled boots made to support a man’s foot and stature. Charlie gets the idea to fill this niche and save his factory with the help of Lola. He also has to deal with some disgruntled and bigoted workers along the way while Lola confronts prejudice and family issues. There is also a romance between Charlie and Lauren (Alex De Bard), an employee in his factory.
When you come right down to it, this musical is about Lola. From the time Parker enters, his Lola is hot, sexy, and sassy. He sizzles as he performs “Land of Lola” with the Angels (Daniel Powers, Malachi Alexander, Quadry Brown, Robbie Duncan, Shane Hall (also Associate Choreographer), Connor James Riley (after 3/12), and David Singleton. As confident as Lola is about herself, that’s how little confidence Simon (Lola’s real name) has. Parker gives us this insight in the number “I’m Not My Father’s Son” which I think is the most memorable of this production. Lola’s torch song, “Hold Me in Your Hearts” is also a show-stopper.
Kempski’s character, Charlie, may seem pale next to Lola, but the performer brings substance and humanity to the role. We see this in “Charlie’s Sad Soliloquy/Soul of a Man” where the factory executive bares his soul to the audience and his workers, Stephen F. Schmidt (Mr. Price), Karl Kippola (George), Sarah Anee Sillers (Trish), Kaiyla Gross (Pat), Ricardo Blagrove, Calvin McCullough (George), and Stephen Russell Murray (Richard).
De Bard’s Lauren is very British, working class and seems just right as the factory line gal who catches herself falling for Charlie as she sings “The History of Wrong Guys.” Chris Genebach gives another standout performance as Don, a macho factory worker trying to deal with the changes of his company and the appearance of Lola into his workplace.
The rest of the ensemble is high energy, and the Angels are especially delightful as Lola’s girls from the drag club. The numbers “Sex is in the Heel,” “Everybody Say Yeah!” and the two show closers, “Raise You Up” and “Just Be,” are worth the price of admission alone.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the two, wonderful young performers who play Young Charlie (Grayden Goldman, alternating with Dustin Sardella) and Young Simon (Zach Cook, alternating with Henry Harleston). Also, the swings and understudies have done so much to help keep theatre alive these past few years, so a big cheer goes to Catrina Brenae, Alexis Krey, and Tyrell Stanley.
Much of the spectacle is due to the fine direction of Jason Loewith, along with the choreography of Tara Jeanne Vallee. The production numbers are as sensual and visually delightful as one could imagine. I particular like the scene when the dancers performing on the conveyor belts. It’s an image I will carry with me for a long while.
Milagros Ponce de León creates a creative and practical set as it goes from factory floor to drag club and to the fashion stage of Milan. The set is award-worthy. Max Doolittle’s lighting design and Matt Rowe’s sound design highlight this beautiful set and the musical production under Music Director, Christopher Youstra.
Since the show is called “Kinky Boots,” the footwear is very important. Kendra Rai’s costume design is spectacular. I can imagine the painstaking time it took to put all those boots together. The costumes of Lola and the Angels are also striking and provocative. I usually don’t mention wig and makeup design, but in this show, they are very important to the success of the production. Larry Peterson created those marvelous wigs and Devon Vaow designed the sparkling makeup.
You cannot write about this production without talking about its relevance in our political world. As Jason Loewith pointed out, there are states in this country that might not allow a production of “Kinky Boots” which is really just a story about accepting others for who they are. It also marks Loewith’s 10th Anniversary with Olney Theatre Center as the Artistic Director. We would also like to congratulate him for his successful tenure and thank him for all the thought-provoking productions he has brought to our area.
Running time: Two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
Advisory: Recommended for mature audiences due to sexual topics and language.
“Kinky Boots” runs through March 16, 2023 at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. For more information and tickets, go online or call the Box Office, 301.924.3400 on Wednesday – Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00 pm.
There will be an audio-described performance on March 22 at 8:00 pm and a sign-interpreted performance on March 2 at 8:00 pm. On February 25 at 5:30 PM there will be a program, “Beyond the Stage – Sip n (Face) Paint “(BYOM) and “Not-Your-Typical-Singles Mixer” on March 9 at 6:00 pm. For more information, go to this link. Olney Theatre Center requires mask be worn Sundays and Wednesdays. For other days, masks are optional but recommended.
