"KINKY BOOTS:" HIGH STEPPING AND HIGH KICKING FUN

                   CAST OF "KINKY BOOTS"    PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

Think quirky, exotic, bizarre, slightly deviant, provocative and definitely unconventional.  Hold on to your shoe horns and show laces because “Kinky Boots” is strutting into town with all its high heeled splendor from Tuesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 28.  the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts will be decked out in red sequined glamor and open for business, kinky business that is.

With a powerhouse book by Harvey Fierstein, sensational music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and on fire direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell, this winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical is based on the motion picture of the same name written by Geoff Deane and Tom Firth.  come meet Charlie Price who is less than thrilled by the inheritance he receives when his father dies:  a shoe factory on the verge of bankruptcy.

As Charlie walks on wobbly feet trying to rescue the family business Price & Sons, he quickly realizes that the old standby oxfords and loafers are now passe. Gentlemen’s shoes are the footwear of the past and Charlie needs an infusion of new life if he is to succeed.  Based on a true story, “Kinky Boots” follows the miraculous transformation that happens when Charlie meets Lola.  Lola, a cross dressing performer of spectacular height and talents, can’t find a pair of sturdy and stylish stilettos to dance in for her/his act.

Lola’s problems are solved when the two conceive of a unique plan: retool Price & Sons to make a line of high heels for the mature male performer parading in boas, bustiers and beads.  Tucked into every tall and tapered red patent leather boot is a tale of friendship, of stamping down hard on stereotypes and giving a firm kick to prejudices.  This eye-opening, pop-up celebration of life, through extraordinary music and dance, is uplifting and super energized and packed with the spirit of joy.  Put on your mile thigh high boots and practice moving to the magnetizing beat. 

For tickets ($20-99), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.org.  Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Watch how Charlie, with a lot of help from his new best bud Lola, reinvents his business and sends it into the stratosphere of shoe heaven.