Want some funky fun? Do you believe that rainbows, butterflies and a baby’s smile are the best things man or God have created? ACT (A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut) has a few interesting ideas about that. They would love to add a novel item to your list.
Think quirky, exotic, bizarre, slightly deviant, provocative and definitely unconventional. Hold on to your shoe horns and shoe laces because “Kinky Boots” is strutting into town with all its high heeled splendor until Sunday, June 16 at Ridgefield’s ACT. And what a splendid strut it is!
With a powerhouse book by Harvey Fierstein, sensational music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and original on fire direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell, now with direction and choreography by Nathan Peck, 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 British 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 style and talents, can’t find a pair of sturdy and stylish stilettos to dance in for her/his act. Topher J. Babb as Lola is over the top magnificent in the role as he fights for his rights and freedom of fashion with the skeptical and unconvinced Andrew Cekala’s Charlie.
Lola’s problems are solved when the two conceive of a unique plan: retool Price & Sons to make a line of high heeled boots for the mature male performer parading in boas, bustiers and beads. Tucked into every tall and tapered red sequined leather boot (never make them burgundy or they will look like a rubber hot water bottle) 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 moral support Lola has her Angels: Gregory Carl Banks Jr., Tyler Keller, Ty Koeller, Kaimana Neil, Pablo Pernia and Joey Socci, while Charlie juggles the affections of Cat Campbell and Chelsea Zeno.
For tickets (almost sold out), call ACT of Connecticut, 36 Old Quarry Road, Ridgefield at 475-215-5433 or online at events/act-of-cts-kinky-boots. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.Additional performances are Sunday, June 2 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, June 12 at 7 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. Everybody say “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!"
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