ACT-CT Production of Kinky Boots
Dragnet on Stage
By: Karen Isaacs - Jun 02, 2024
Perhaps the only people who won’t walk out of the ACT-CT production of Kinky Boots with a smile on their faces are those who view drag shows as evil. The rest of us will have had a terrific time.
Cyndi Lauper made her Broadway debut as the composer and lyricist for the show, with Harvey Fierstein adapting the book from the original film.
If very successful movies are difficult to turn into successful musicals (think Pretty Woman, Groundhog Day, Tootsie, and numerous others), smaller, often independent films have proven fertile ground — Billy Elliot, The Full Monty, and Once.
Kinky Boots was just that type of film. A quirky British film about how a failing, antiquated shoe factory found a way to survive by successfully making specific types of shoes for an unconventional market.
It is a high-energy, feel-good romp about people reconciling with their past and gaining acceptance for who they are.
Charlie Price is heading to a high-powered job in London, much to the dismay of his father, who now runs the family shoe manufacturing business. When he suddenly dies, Charlie feels he must stay and try to save the jobs of the employees; the business is being destroyed by low-priced imports. By chance, he meets Simon, who performs as Lola. Lola complains that drag performers have a major problem: they pay exorbitant amounts for stiletto shoes and boots that fit their man-size feet, but the quality is so poor that they fall apart quickly.
Thus, Charlie’s idea is born: Specialize in making sturdy but sexy shoes for man size feet and weight or kinky boots.
With some hiccups along the way, both Lola and Charlie develop the idea. Lola designs the shoes, and Charlie figures out how to engineer them, so they last. The factory makes them, though some male employees are not happy about that or about Lola.
Conflicts are minor—Charlie breaks up with his London-based, success-obsessed fiancée; Lola feels disrespected; the Milan shoe fashion show that will debut the line is almost a disaster, but all ends happily. Even the male factory workers come around to appreciate Lola and the product.
Nathan Peck directed and choreographed the show, marvelously using Topher J. Babb’s talent as Lola and the other cast members. The treadmill number in the second act will amaze you.
The show’s success hinges on the performances of three characters: Charlie, Lola, and Lauren, an employee who is in love with Charlie.
Topher J. Babb (Lola) is terrific. Babb has played the role before, and it shows in his self-assurance. His performance is polished, particularly in the rousing (and exhausting) “Sex Is in the Heel.” But he also brings vulnerability, particularly in his last number, “Hold Me in Your Heart.”
As Lauren, Chelsea Zeno has a harder time making the character both appealing and wistful without going overboard. She does not always manage it. Of course, I have a very high standard for the role since I remember the great Annaleigh Ashford playing the role.
Both Jeff Williams, as the company accountant, and Nickolaus Colón, as Don, the worker most uncomfortable with Lola, bring humor and depth to their roles.
The production features outstanding costumes by Kurt Alger; I applaud sound designer Sarah Goodman for not blasting us out of our seats and keeping performers and musicians in balance. The scenic design by Daniel C. Levine makes good use of industrial materials. Charlie Morrison’s lighting design is effective.
Kudos to ACT-CT for using a 12-piece ensemble for the live music.
Tickets are available at ACTofCT.org