Billy Porter Leaving Kinky Boots...

[Markecib]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 12:08am

For a new show this spring.

According to this interview in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Porter will be leaving for a new show.

What could this be? I was thinking "Shuffle Along."

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2015/08/02/Stage-preview-Pittsburghs-Billy-Porter-comes-home-as-star-of-Kinky-Boots/stories/201508020021

[Dave13]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 12:16am

Yikes. I doubt Kinky Boots will last without him. 

It had a great run regardless. 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 12:28am

Though Porter's Lola is great, I honestly don't feel that his leaving will make or break the show regarding its chances of closing or not. There were times where he's been out on extended breaks (Opening his play earlier this year or taking a break and then doing the Pittsburgh stop of the tour for example.) I mean, I haven't kept track of the shows stats so I don't know if there's a huge likelihood of it being in danger of closing. But, I think that if it were to be in danger of doing so,it would be with or without Porter in the show I feel.

[hork]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 12:59am

Yeah, I don't know why people talk about Kinky Boots as if it's The Billy Porter Show. It's not like there's not a ton of other actors who could play that role.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:02am

yeah its shuffle along. I even made a thread about it a few weeks ago

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:16am

"Yikes. I doubt Kinky Boots will last without him."

I think people overestimate Billy Porter's popularity. I do not think he makes or breaks the show.

Updated On: 8/3/15 at 01:16 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:19am

"Yeah, I don't know why people talk about Kinky Boots as if it's The Billy Porter Show. It's not like there's not a ton of other actors who could play that role."

 In fact, of course, Billy left the show for 4 months and the revenue was actually more for those 12 frames (which included the dog days of winter) than for the 12 frames commencing with his return. 

He's great, but he is not what is or is not selling tickets.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 1:29am

glad that i got the chance to see the show with him a few years back - this was the summer after he had won the Tony.

He is an incredible talent

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 9:06am

It's without a doubt Shuffle Along!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 9:11am

Billy Porter's departure will not affect the show.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 9:25am

I guess Porter will no longer star as Katharine in Shakespeare Theatre of DC's all-male Taming of the Shrew next spring (not that I blame him for choosing a Broadway show over a regional gig).

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 10:03am

"Yikes. I doubt Kinky Boots will last without him"

I agree with the other people in that his leaving the show will not have too much of an effect. His Lola is absolutely amazing, and I doubt anyone else would be as great as he is in the role, but I think a lot of people are coming to see the show, not just him. And it is an amazing musical, with or without Billy Porter.

 

[rjm516]

Posted: 8/3/15 at 10:07am

So happy for him!