BWW Reviews: Everybody Say 'Yeah' to KINKY BOOTS at the 5th Avenue

As you know, Dear Readers, I have no love for the constant turning of movies into Broadway shows but I'm afraid that it's a trend that is not going away any time soon and sometimes results in some good shows (a certain blonde lawyer springs to mind). And the latest of those movie to stage conversions, "Kinky Boots" has hit the 5th Avenue Theatre with its tour and while the show's lack of songs that move the story along should kill it for me, somehow they've made it a raucous good time and I think I know why. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Based on the 2005 movie of the same name (which is totally worth a viewing if you haven't seen it) we meet Charlie (Steven Booth) who has inherited his father's dying shoe factory. For over a hundred years Price and Sons has made high quality men's shoes but the demand is no longer there. By chance Charlie meets Lola (Kyle Taylor Parker), an outrageous drag queen with a broken heel. In a desperate attempt to save the factory Charlie gets the idea that they could switch the line to make specialty, steel reinforced heels that could withstand the weight of men who want to dress as women. But will this small town and the factory workers accept this new line, not to mention their fabulous new shoe designer?

As I said, the music and lyrics by pop diva Cyndi Lauper don't always move the story along. In fact most of them are major pauses in the story just to accentuate a feeling or a bit of exposition. So why does it work? It's the direction and choreography from Jerry Mitchell and book from Harvey Fierstein that saves the storytelling. Yes, some of Lauper's more ballad-y, introspective numbers are lovely and elicit much emotion but it's her larger spectacle numbers that just lean towards repetitious pop songs. The big act one closer is not much more that repeating of the phrase "Everybody say yeah". But in those moments Mitchell has stepped in with some killer staging and choreography and conveys tons of story and Fierstein's dialog is his usual quick, fresh and rich and completely works. So while the show in pieces might not work (I admit to being less than whelmed just listening to the cast album) the pieces put together form a perfect storm of fun. It's a show that needs to be seen to really be appreciated. Although, I must add, they need to adjust the sound mix for the 5th Avenue so they don't have to pump up the performers microphones to distortion levels to try and out-volume the band. Just sayin'.

The cast is superb. Parker doesn't own but commands the stage at every moment even when not in drag and conveys a lovely backstory for Lola. Booth has one of those voices that overwhelms your ears making you wonder how something that powerful and clear is coming from him and manages a sweet and loveable demeanor throughout. And the members of the ensemble each manage some great characterizations as well especially the unforgettable Joe Coots as the close-minded Don. But of the ensemble (and really of the show in general) it was Lindsay Nicole Chambers who grabbed my attention. She's got a killer voice and the comedic chops and facial expressions to back up the character making her an absolute joy to watch.

So is it a perfect show? No. Is it one hell of a lot of fun? Totally! And so much more engaging than the last drag movie turned musical "Priscilla" that we got last year. With my three letter rating system ... well ... Everybody say YAY!

"Kinky Boots" performs at the 5th Avenue Theatre through October 26th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue box office at 206-625-1900 or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org.

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