Went last night. I like the new Smith Center. Las Vegas audiences are bizarre. The best part of the evening was people watching. Quite the bunch of characters.
As for the show..... Same sh*t.. different stage. The show is a serviceable fun evening. Just like on Broadway. Very generic. I missed Billy Porter. But everyone was good yet forgettable. I couldn't tell you of any differences in set or staging.. as I originally saw this show very early in its broadway run and found it forgettable then. This particular incarnation had a mechanical feel to it. You could see the work put into the energy. And it was only opening night of the tour.
I saw the tour last night. Absolutely nothing to write home about. It can best be described as a faded carbon copy of the Broadway production. The cast was great, but the sparkle and energy of the Broadway production wasn't there. The set is mainly the same with just a few very minor changes. I've never been a huge fan of the show. It's entertaining for sure, but, like Dame said, generic.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
I saw the tour 2 weeks ago. Now this was my first Kinky Boot experience, so I have nothing to compare it to. Booth and Park are giving 110% performance that leads the performance pretty strong. Booths talents are showcased the most during "Soul of a Man." Parker is just simply amazing throughout. The show really doesn't take off until Lola's entrance. The group in the show that I thought were lacking were the Angels in places. They seemed tired. Overall, it was an enjoyable time at the Theatre!
I saw Kinky Boots tonight at the Pantages Theatre here in L.A. It was beyond AMAZING!!! Kyle as Lola was so good. His 11 o'clock number made me cry. He blew me away. The whole cast puts 110 percent. The set is exactly like broadway, no downgrading.. thank god. I am going to see it as much times as possible. Tonight was the second night and it was sold out. This is not a show you want to pass. One thing I did notice that was different was that in Land of Lola (Reprise) they just basically sang Land of Lola a second time with choreography instead of like broadway where they do a magic show type skit. Other than that the show is identical. The score is fantastic. This show is definitely on my top 5's list for favorite show. GO SEE IT!
Saw it today in SF and enjoyed it. The humor is very effective, though the drama falls flat (including some very strange plot points that are glossed over and a weird change of character for the leading man 3/4 through the show). The music was super fun, though forgettable, and the physical production was pretty ugly. The man who played Lola was wonderful and had incredible stage presence. The man who played Charlie was weak, though, which was disappointing. The first act finale was wonderful and the show was uplifting and fun. It's a good time at the theatre and the best thing I've seen in SF for a while. Go see it if it interests you.
I saw it last Sunday in San Fran and Kyle was out. J Harrison Ghee was on as Lola. I thought he was good in the role, but definitely less flamboyant than Billy Porter on Broadway. The audience loved the show. Such a positive buzz as people left the theatre. For me, I kinda agree with you guys that the show is OK but not great.
@ JoseLee_"a magic show type skit." Could you describe the scene you are talking about. i am trying to figure out if you are referring to the scene that was cut out during previews or another one because i can't remember a magic show skit in the final show.
^^^ I am sure he is referring to the scene that was cut after the first few weeks of previews..so I am guessing that's when he previously saw the show.
I saw the tour last night- Had a great time! I will say that the energy level felt a little down compared to Broadway- But still fun! The two leads are strong but lack what Sark and Billy had. Darius Harper was on for Lola and was wonderful, while Steven kinda got on my nerves as Charlie- Don't quite know why. But still lacked the energy that the Broadway production has.
Well if the tour Lola lacks "what Billy had", that must mean that the tour Lolas manage to play an actual character and find their pitch when they sing.
I adore Billy Porter, my heavens, but his Lola is just him with an accent, plain and simple, and his voice just was not up to the run of the show.
haha a lot of actors are just basically themselves in the situation of the story. However, I think Billy is sensational in Kinky Boots, and did an incredible job at transforming into the character. And I don't just mean the makeup, wigs, and costumes
"Well if the tour Lola lacks "what Billy had", that must mean that the tour Lolas manage to play an actual character and find their pitch when they sing. I adore Billy Porter, my heavens, but his Lola is just him with an accent, plain and simple, and his voice just was not up to the run of the show."
I strongly disagree. When I saw the show Billy was a force of nature and blew the crowd away. I can't wait to see the tour (hopefully in Chicago), but I will always treasure seeing the original cast. It was easily one of the best nights of theatre I have ever experienced.