Review by Bryna Chandler
The Carnegie’s production of Kinky Boots ended Pride Month with a bang and ushers in July with a production hotter than fireworks. Playing June 30th-August 19th in Covington’s Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, Kinky Boots is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit.
With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots is a fast-paced musical with fantastically written music and a heart-warming story. Based on the 2005 British film Kinky Boots, mostly inspired by actual events, the musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherited a dying shoe factory from his father. Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots in order to save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they are not so different after all.
Kinky Boots‘ Production Team
The opening musical number, “The Most Beautiful Thing”, sets the stage for this high-impact fast moving production centered around shoe lovers uniting and a reverence for footwear of all types. With a production based on shoes, the shoes better be top-notch, and Costume Designer Erin Donnelly rises to the occasion. Costumes, shoes, and hair all bring back the best of the 80’s fashions. As Drag consultants, Kayne O’Brien (Kora Sline) and Jaylen Turner (Nala Jones) helped create the flawless and beautiful lead Lola and her angels. Tyler Gabbard’s set design is incredibly versatile, easily switching between Northamptonshire, London, and Milan.
The creative directive team of Lindsey Augusta Mercer (Director), Steve Goers (Music Director), and Julia Schick (Choreographer) created a united ensemble and flawless cast. The creative directive team created a synergetic cast with heartwarming characters in a production where it would be easy to stereotype. The only hitch in the production was the overly loud sound with continual feedback, which hopefully is quickly fixed now that the first week of performing with a live audience has concluded.
Strong Performances
As Charlie Price, Tomi Newman is realistically naive and lost, trying to find what he wants in life while simultaneously attempting to appease everyone around him. In the 2nd act song “The Soul of a Man,” he shines and captivates the audience. Out of all the songs, you can really hear Cyndi Lauper’s 80’s inspired colorful and electric style in”The Soul of a Man,” , and Newman does the song and its songwriter justice, commanding both the stage and difficult power ballad with ease.
In contrast to Charlie’s naivety, Montez O. Jenkins Copeland’s Lola is overwhelming in the best of ways. As Simon, the pre-drag persona, Copeland does a great job of showing insecurity, yet when Simon becomes Lola, is where Copeland shines. Lola is sheer liquid in movement with a powerful voice leaving the audience applauding for encores. Accompanied by her gorgeous and talented backup Angels (Kyle Angel, Anthony Contreras, Anderson Rothwell, Zach Van Camp ), you get two shoes in one- an 80’s rock concert and a phenomenal drag show.
Lauren, Charlie’s 2nd in command and hopeful love interest played by Monique Churchill was a sleeper best actress. Hiding within the ensemble, she emerges in “The History of Wrong Guys,” stealing the stage. With an amazingly beautiful voice, she is adorable and amusing and becomes a treasure to watch.
Bottom Line
If you want a night of frivolity, fabulous songs, 80’s throwback, and a joyous musical with the optimistic message that you can change the world when you change your mind, then you must see Carnegie’s production of Kinky Boots playing Fri July 7th, 8th, 21st and August 10th, 19th (7:30 pm) with a matinee on Sunday, August 6th (3 pm).
Get Tickets to Kinky Boots
If this is your first time going to the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, arrive a bit early for free street parking, check out the artwork, and grab a Lola-inspired drink from the bar. For more information and tickets visit www.thecarnegie.com
