‘Kinky Boots’ dances its way to Omaha’s Orpheum Oct. 20-25
When Lisa told me she wanted to see the musical “ Kinky Boots,” I thought I knew what it was about. I thought it was about a group of drag queens who are proud of who they are and willing to live their lives regardless of what others think.
Well, I got part of it right. It is a story of accepting who you are…but, also, accepting others for who they are. And being happy with yourself.
The reason for my initial thought was some promotion given to the show during Omaha’s Pride Parade last summer. Some drag queens helped promote the musical. The crowd loved them, as the performers walked the parade route and posed for photos with parade goers.
Anyway, the show follows the stories of Charlie and Lola. Charlie is forced to take over his family’s shoe factory, even though he wanted nothing to do with it. Lola has to overcome hatred for her life.
“ Kinky Boots ” runs at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater Oct. 20-25 as part of the theater’s Broadway Series. The show won six Tony Awards in 2013 after opening earlier that year. Pegged an underdog when it opened, the show recouped its investment in a little more than six months.
Charlie wants to save his father’s factory from certain failure. As Charlie leaves a late night meeting with a shoes salesman who pushes him to move on from the business, he sees a woman being assaulted by some men. He intervenes and is knocked unconscious.
When he wakes, he finds himself in a seedy night club. Lola and her back-up singers – the Angels – are performing on stage. Charlie is uncomfortable there, but he notices the knee-high boots the drag queens are wearing. They are not constructed for men. But, Lola tells Charlie the boots are a necessary evil for their gigs.
Charlie later returns to the factory and starts to tell workers he has to let them go. One of the employees, Lauren, tells him he could save the factory by focusing on an underserved market. That makes Charlie think about Lola’s boots. He invites her and her friends to the factory to discuss creating a new boot style for drag queens.
When Lola and her singers arrive, they are met with disdain by some of the employees. She quickly gains the trust of female employees. The factory manager figures a practical way to produce the boots. But, Don, the foreman, and some of the male employees mock Lola and the others.
The production explores the hostility and resolution of the situation. In the end, people learn to accept themselves and others. “ Kinky Boots ” is a story of happiness. It inspires people.
The show offers spectators some great award-winning music penned by Cyndi Lauper. Yes, that Cyndi Lauper. The “Girls Just Want to have Fun” Cyndi Lauper.
We recommend checking out the musical at the Orpheum (409 S. 16th St.). We will be there opening night.
For tickets, please visit www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Kinky-Boots.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Omaha Performing Arts for the complimentary tickets in exchange for the promotional post. However, all opinions and views are ours.
