If you have never seen Les Mis before, then you should definitely see Les Mis. It's a Hall of Fame show. Kinky Boots was lots of fun, so sure, go see it if you haven't seen Les Mis. It's more in the All Star category than Hall of Fame. Sorry for the sports analogy.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
i saw Kinky Boots last week and Les Mis last night. Without a doubt see Kinky Boots. Without a doubt. It is worlds better than Les Mis as a production.
The sheer energy and commitment of the whole company of Kinky Boots was through the roof. Honestly it was perhaps the best experience I've had at any Broadway show.
Les Mis last night was just ok. It was good but not great. And personally I love Les Mis as a musical; it's one of my all time favorites. But I did not think the whole cast was giving it their all. In fact many of them seemed to be giving 70 to 80% of their energy onstage and somewhat phoning in their performances. Whereas at Kinky Boots that did not appear to be the case at all. Every one of them was having a blast on that stage and it sure showed.
Plus Billy Porter is still in the show and you just can't beat him!
"The sheer energy and commitment of the whole company of Kinky Boots was through the roof. Honestly it was perhaps the best experience I've had at any Broadway show. Les Mis last night was just ok. It was good but not great. And personally I love Les Mis as a musical; it's one of my all time favorites. But I did not think the whole cast was giving it their all. In fact many of them seemed to be giving 70 to 80% of their energy onstage and somewhat phoning in their performances. Whereas at Kinky Boots that did not appear to be the case at all. Every one of them was having a blast on that stage and it sure showed.
Plus Billy Porter is still in the show and you just can't beat him!"
I COMPLETELY agree with this. I love Les Mis, but when I saw it 3 weeks ago, I also felt it was lacking energy. The new fantine's voice was kinda raspy. On the plus side, the new eponine is better than Nikki. Ramins voice is still amazing, but I felt like sometimes he half assed it a little bit. I still cried though since i ****ing love les mis!!! Both great shows!!!
I would recommend Kinky Boots without question. It's an ok production of Les Mis and you still have Billy Porter at Kinky Boots. Plus I think if you are talking revival vs original, I would always catch the original - because revivals come and go but originals are only original once.
That said.. Billy will not be there for one week in early August and though I love Kyle, his replacement - you probably should aim for Billy if you have the opportunity. Billy and Kyle, who is the star of the tour Kinky Boots, are switching places for one week so Billy can perform in his home town of Pittsburgh (which is an extremely gracious thing for Jujamcyn to allow Billy to do IMO).
I have seen both shows already so this would be my second time. I saw Ramin and I kinda want to see Chris and the other replacements but I also got the understudy for Billy when I saw Kinky Boots. Would this change your suggestions or no?