The Paramount begins the post-COVID pandemic theater scene
with an exhilarating revival of Kinky Boots.
We likely won’t see a better musical comedy production the rest of this season.
The Paramount is offering area theatergoers the gift of a superlative revival of the musical Kinky Boots. This is the first staging of a major musical by a local theater in 18 virus-ridden months and the Paramount is a setting a very high bar for musicals that will follow in coming months throughout the metropolitan area.
Kinky Boots is based on a little known 2005 British movie set in a town in the English provinces that faces disaster with the looming closing of a shoe factory that is the heart of the town’s economy. Charlie Price, the young man who inherited the troubled factory from his father, is resigned to shutting down the business, to the dismay and resentment of the locals. Then an idea emerges from an improbable source that could save the day. A drag queen cabaret performer named Lola, who leads a chorus of six ”Angels,” suggests to Charlie that the young man covert his manufacturing line from traditional shoes to exotic knee length and high heeled red boots that would capture the apparently prosperous gay market.
At first Charlie is dismissive of Lola’s concept but by the intermission it’s a go for the factory to start manufacturing the revolutionary designs. Thus ends the first act, which consists of roughly 90 minutes of brilliant dancing, stunning costumes, and marvelous lighting effects. Normally a review would place the design credits near the end of the piece, but the imagination and wit and stunning visual impact of the staging earns the designers first bill, so a bow to Isaiah Silvia-Chandley and Michael George (choreography), Kevin Depinet and Christopher Rhoton (scenic design), Ryan Park (costumes), Greg Hofmann (lighting), Adam Rosenthal (sound), Katie Cordts (wig, hair, and makeup), and Joe Burke (projections). The Jeff Awards committee can shine up a passel of awards for this creative bunch even with the season barely started.
The Paramount employs a large and consistently terrific group of 34 performers who cumulatively wave the flag of ethnic, class, and racial diversity. From 1 through 34 this is a cast that seems born to flourish in this show. And they have been guided with the surest of hands by director Trent Stork, who obviously has an emotional as well as artistic stake in this vehicle.
The core character in Kinky Boots is Lola, the drag queen. Paramount has cast Michael Wordly in the role, converting what could be a stereotyped and possibly offensive characterization into a personal triumph of acting, dancing, and singing. Wordly’s Lola mixes wise guy humor with anger and despair to survive in a white world as a black gay man. Co-hero of the evening is Devin De Santis as Charlie Price, impeccably supported by Sara Reinecke, Mark David Kaplan, and Emilie Lynn, along with maybe a dozen other outstanding contributors. Mark Lancaster is especially effective as a one-dimensional blue collar bigot who eventually shoves his prejudices aside as he connects with Lola.
The music and lyrics were composed by Cyndi Lauper (Harvey Fierstein wrote the book). Lauper touches bases from rock and rhythm and blues to ABBA and Broadway with a sure touch that elevates both the comic and dramatic strengths of the show. This is singer Lauper’s first score. One hopes this isn’t a one-off effort. The American musical theater needs artists of her versatility, talent, and sensibility.
Kinky Boots is well nigh perfect in its first act as the narrative and characters are established through the wondrously high energy and visually vivid stagecraft. The second act is a bit of a fall-off, with sentimentality and soap box preaching slowing down the pace a bit. Still, it’s hard to fault a show that tries to deal honestly with themes like self awareness, tolerance of those who are different, and keeping an open mind about complex social issues. Some of the plot turns are a little old hat, but even when the second act’s obvious storytelling and character twists are over familiar, the show’s heart is in the right place. The bottom line is that the Paramount Kinky Boots reminds audiences what exhilarating joy theater can bring. Welcome back!
photos by Liz Lauren
Kinky Boots
Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Boulevard in Aurora
Wed @ 1:30 & 7:30; Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 3 & 8; Sun at 1 & 5
for tickets ($36 to $74), call 630 896 6666 or visit Paramount
Advisory note: Audiences must wear a mask and provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccine, as well as a photo ID. Children under 12 and those with exceptions must have a negative COVID test from the past 72 hours.
