Get kinky in a Good Way With "Kinky Boots"

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“Kinky Boots” Even Better on Second Viewing

By Skip Sheffield

Sometimes the second time around is better.

The “Kinky Boots” company, appearing onstage through March 13 at Broward Center for the Arts, is essentially the same as I saw a year ago at Arsht Center in Miami. Maybe it’s because the Broward Center is a more pleasant venue. More likely it was because our seats were so much better (Orchestra, Row F). Whatever the reason, I loved this production even more on a second viewing. On the surface this show, with book by actor, playwright and gay activist Harvey Fierstein and music by “unusual girl” Cyndi Lauper, is a bit “kinky’ in the sense of unconventional.

The main star is a transvestite born Simon who calls himself Lola (J. Harrison Ghee). Lola is the star of an elaborate drag show with an all-male cast decked out in fancy ladies’ frocks and makeup. The “straight man” in more senses than one is Charlie Price (Adam Kaplan), whose family shoe business has been in operation for four generations in Northampton, England.

Both the business and Charlie’s father are failing. Cheap import shoes have ruined the market for fancy, hand-made British men’s shoes.

Charlie is engaged to marry Nicola (Charissa Hogeland), a bossy young woman who wants Charlie to move to London with her. Then Mr. Price (Tom Souhrada) dies, leaving Charlie as the last heir to Price & Sons Shoes.

Charlie soon learns the future for Price & Sons is even worse than he thought. On a chance meeting with Lola, who complains bitterly about the shoddy quality of the woman’s high-heeled boots he wears as his costume, Charlie gets a brainstorm: How about Price making fancy but sturdy boots catering to the male transvestite market?

Nicola is not keen on this idea, but Charlie perseveres, and in true musical theater tradition, he finds a sympathetic ally and love interest in factory worker Lauren (Tiffany Engen), who is much better suited to him than self-centered Nicola.

Cyndi Lauper’s songs are not exactly Rodgers & Hart or Hammerstein quality, but they are catchy and serviceable, with an instant anthem in the uplifting “Raise You Up/Just Be.” J. Harrison Ghee has a way with power ballads, including “Land of Lola,” “What a Woman Wants” and “Hold Me in Your Heart.”

Some people resist “Kinky Boots” because of its all-embracing moral stance. I think resistance is futile. This is the 21^st century after all.

Tickets are $35 and up. Call 954-462-0222 or go to www.browardcenter.org.