Kinky Boots Kicks High In Mile High
By Ann Marie Figueroa
The Tony Award-winning best musical, Kinky Boots is a colorful story made more vibrant by ‘80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper and based on a true story about an Englishman’s attempt to save his family-run shoe factory. In this vibrant musical the character, Charlie Price is based off of the Englishman. Handsome and gentle-voiced Steven Booth does a great job capturing Charlie’s quirks as well as his pure and tenacious soul. Initially Charlie abandons the shoe factory to start a life with his fiancé until his father dies. Charlie then feels like it is his responsibility to return to the factory. We follow Charlie’s attempt to keep the family-run business alive. We follow his struggles to accept the fact that he is not his father and he cannot seem to extract even the slightest bit of excitement when it comes to shoes. Charlie then meets Lola, a drag queen distressed about the quality of her high heels. Kyle Taylor Parker, the amazing and charismatic prodigy who has the voice of an angel, plays Lola’s character—the talent is seriously goose-bump inducing. Suddenly, a strange idea with the capability to change everything arises—women’s shoes in men’s sizes! Lola and Charlie then work together to save the factory. The two experience ups and downs, successes and obstacles together and through them, realize that they really aren’t that different. Cyndi Lauper said herself, “It’s a story about love and acceptance and friendship and overcoming obstacles… and everyone can relate to that.”
Kinky Boots is just that, a sexy, entertaining, vibrant and touching show, with bright red lipstick, sparkles, fishnets and good music connecting personally to every audience member.
Kinky Boots played at the Buell Theater in Denver Oct. 29 through Nov. 9.
