KINKY BOOTS Hits 1,000 - 10 High-Stepping Moments to Say 'Yeah!' About

By: Aug. 26, 2015
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With Kinky Boots celebrating 1,000 performances tonight, gaining a new 'Lola' this fall (we're ready for you Wayne Brady!), kicking it on tour and abroad, plus Tony winner Cyndi Lauper's secret new project for Broadway, we've got a lot to say "Yeah!" about. To mark the hit musical's milestone today, we're bringing you 10 of our favorite moments from high-kicking sensation's run!

KINKY BOOTS opened on Broadway on April 4, 2013 and went on to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. KINKY BOOTS features a Tony Award-winning score by Lauper, a book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.

Now in its third year, the musical tells the uplifting and heartwarming tale of Charlie Price (currently played by Andy Kelso), a young man reluctantly taking over his family's struggling business. Charlie meets and finds inspiration in Lola (currently played by Billy Porter) and together, the unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible... and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

1. Opening Night

From the performance to the curtain call to the after-party, KINKY BOOTS strutted onto Broadway in style in 2013. Scroll down for highlights (photos by Walter McBride) from the big night!

2. The Tonys

KINKY BOOTS took home six Tony Awards in 2013, including Best Musical. See what Cyndi and Billy had to say about their wins, plus watch their high-energy performance during the ceremony below!

3. Rising Above the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Controversy

After the cast's performance (watch it below!) of "Raise You Up/Just Be" at the parade, Twitter erupted with both messages of love and some not-so-accepting comments. But both KINKY BOOTS and Macy's responded with class, with help from book writer Harvey Fierstein.

4. Hitting the Recording Studio

The Original Cast Recording of KINKY BOOTS, produced by Cyndi Lauper, William Wittman and Stephen Oremus, was captured courtesy Masterworks Broadway for all of us to re-live the musical as often as we please. See the cast in the recording studio below (photo by Monica Simoes)!

5. Making It Big at the Box Office

KINKY BOOTS recouped its costs in just 30 weeks. Capitalized at $13.5 million, the show achieved this milestone faster than any big budget musical in recent history. Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig said in a statement, "We're so happy that audiences have embraced Kinky Boots in such an overwhelming way. We're proud that this show offers people such great joy, Tony Award-winning talent, and financial success." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

6. Andy Kelso's Onstage Proposal

With a little help from his castmates and a very popular Michael Jackson tune, Andy Kelso serenaded and then popped the question to Sheila Coyle on stage right after a performance of KINKY BOOTS in 2013. Check out his full proposal below!

7. Being Immortalized in Sardi's Portraits (plus Ken Fallin's recent illustration)

Sardi's unveiled signature caricatures of KINKY BOOTS' composer & lyricist Cyndi Lauper, as well as the show's stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands and Annaleigh Ashford, and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Check some of them out below (courtesy Walter McBride), plus take a look at Ken Fallin's amazing artwork from earlier this month!

8. Reaching One, Then Two Years on the Great White Way

On April 6, 2014, the cast and creative team of KINKY BOOTS celebrated the show's one-year anniversary (photos by Jenny Anderson) with a celebratory curtain call and cake. This year, the musical marked its second year treading the legendary boards (photos by Jennifer Broski). BroadwayWorld was there to capture both moments - check it out below!

9. Going on Tour, Trekking to Canada, Flying to Korea and Landing in London!

KINKY BOOTS has become a worldwide phenomenon since its opening two years ago. A production -- retooled for the UK -- just started performances in London. And the U.S. National Tour has been going strong since last year. Below, see photos (by Matthew Murphy) and watch highlights from KINKY BOOTS across the country, plus a peek behind the scenes across the pond!

10. Getting to Celebrate the Supreme Court's Decision on Marriage Equality

KINKY BOOTS posted a colorful, witty social media image -- along with the caption "Everybody say EQUALITY!" -- to celebrate this year's momentous Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Lauper Tweeted, "Thank you Supreme Court for ruling in favor of love." And Fierstein commented, "You never realize how heavy your burden's been until you lay it down in the promised land," followed by, "We stand in the sunlight of a new day, the clouds of inequity r in retreat & in their stead American's rainbow 'equal justice for all'."

What are some of our favorite KINKY BOOTS memories? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!


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