The upbeat 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical "Kinky Boots" celebrates its LA premiere at the Hollywood Pantages for three weeks only, now through Nov. 30. The show took home six Tonys, winning Best Musical, Best Score (Cyndi Lauper), Best Choreography (Jerry Mitchell), Best Orchestrations and Best Sound Design. It also received the Grammy for Best Musical Album and many other accolades. Four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein wrote the Book for the show, based on the British film of the same name, and although the title may sound 'kinky,' the vibrant musical has a tender heart.
The story revolves around Charlie Price (Steven Booth) who has reluctantly inherited his father's shoe factory, which is about to go bankrupt. Charlie doesn't really want to carry on in the family's business, but he's also reluctant to let the factory close since the workers have been like family to him.
Not knowing just what to do, he finds himself inspired by a flamboyant drag queen entertainer named Lola (Kyle Taylor Parker) who, it turns out, is in desperate need of sturdy stilettos that won't collapse under his weight.
They meet by chance one night when Charlie tries to protect Lola from a group of rowdy guys outside the theater where Lola performs. Charlie gets knocked down in his attempt to be a hero, but Lola puts up a truly professional fistfight.
Later, when Lola finds out what Charlie does, she asks if can make her a pair of fancy boots—and they must be RED. In his attempt to make Lola a perfect pair of flashy boots a unique friendship develops and the two discover that when you are able to change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.
The song "Not My Father's Son," sung by Charlie and Lola, in Act I reveals how both men feel about their relationship with their fathers. It is one of the best songs in the show. On the upbeat side there is the exuberant "Everybody Say Yeah' at the end of the act that leaves the audience eagerly awaiting Act II.
While the show is primarily upbeat, filled with song and dance, it also cleverly reveals how people can change their attitudes. A fine example is Don (Joe Coots) who evolves from a bigoted factory worker into a more tolerant individual who is able to accept Lola for the person inside.
His character growth adds a lot to the story as the workers, Charlie, Lola and her "girls" design new, colorful and outlandish footwear. Will they save the factory and find true love and social acceptance in the process? As the song in Act I says, "Everybody Say Yeah."
"Kinky Boots" is a rousing, jolly-good night of theater set in England. And the finale takes place at a high-tone Italian Fashion Show where Kinky Boots make their debut on the runway to the song "Raise You Up/Just Be" belted out by the full company.
For tickets or more information about the Los Angeles engagement of "Kinky Boots," go to HYPERLINK "www.HollywoodPantages.com"www.HollywoodPantages.com.
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The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents Israel's Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company for three performances only, Nov. 19-21 in the Bram Goldsmith Theatre. The Kibbutz Dance Company (KCDC) is widely identified with the works of artistic director Rani Be'er, whose singular choreographic character and style has become the company's trademark both in Israel and abroad.
The technically strong and physically eclectic dancers epitomize Israeli dance at its best. The company performs regularly in esteemed theaters and at leading festivals around the world. The KCDC will be performing "If At All," a work that, according to the choreographer, "deals with the issues of our existence…and our connection to life in the here and now."
December 2-21, just in time for family holiday fun, the Wallis Annenberg Center will showcase the delightful fairytale confection "Into the Woods" with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.
Dec. 5-21 "Love Noel: The Letters and Songs of Noel Coward" will be on view, starring Harry Groener and Sharon Lawrence.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 North Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills.
