"Kinky Boots" on PBS last night.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 11:52am

I was disappointed that an iteration wasn't preserved with Sands and Porter -- fully understanding that filmed editions come with their own timing and contractual issues -- but was pleasantly surprised by the strength of this London company. The two leads, Matt Henry, the Olivier-winning Lola, and (especially) Killian Donnelly, the Charlie, were wonderful. I early on warmed to Donnelly, an entirely different type of actor than the boyish Sands, with his almost Meatloaf vocals. He made the character's turns into intolerance believable and so his "woke" epiphany in his call to Lola was all the more memorable. He seemed closer to the Edgerton type in the film. The show also benefits, logically, from Brits playing Brits, but this was a lovely filmed performance. Mitchell's choreography was well (enough) filmed. It was a straightforward take, but I appreciated the many full-proscenium angles to get the sense of the show being, well, a show. The Lauper score (which I seldom listen to), especially the first act, is a model of how to use uptempo numbers to keep a show moving. I was reminded that it seldom slows, unstopped by the kind of power ballads that often weigh down less successful pieces (though I'm not as big a fan of the 2nd act).

It has seemed under the radar. So glad I didn't miss it.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 12:47pm

I watched last night too! While I had some minor quibbles with some of the performances, those fell away (as even those performances deepened) into gratitude (to be seeing it again) and bliss.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 2:27pm

I'm hoping to catch it this weekend. I've seen some "footage" of Henry's Lola and was amazed with him. I always hoped he'd come over and do the Broadway production for a short run but it never happened.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 5:07pm

I watched it last night in my North Carolina hotel room after a very full day of driving down from WV to take care of my dad. I loved the infectious atmosphere of live theatre when I saw it this March on Broadway. The end of Kinky Boots on PBS still had me on my feet all ear-to-ear smiles and clapping my hands. Such a joyous show.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 12:09am

I never got the chance to see this when it was in movie theatres. But, for those that didn't catch it on PBS it's on BroadwayHD as well (which was how I saw it.) And, it was a very well filmed performance indeed. 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 12:18am

Pro tip - if you login to your cable account online at PBS, you can watch it for free

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 12:29pm

Watched this this morning and was very nice to revisit this show. Henry and Killian were amazing and the cast was giving it 100%. Having the British accents already there helped compared to anytime I saw it on Broadway. Henry wasn't the strongest Lola vocally, but he added his own twist to the role. This was probably the best group of Angels I've seen since the closing Broadway group.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 4:48pm

I enjoyed it also. It was wonderful to revisit the show, though it was slightly weird to see actors others than those I knew so well on Broadway. It was so familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time.

I really appreciate that each November PBS pays homage to the Broadway musical...however, it would be extra special to actual show a Broadway cast, instead of the London casts as they continue to do. I’m guessing it’s for financial reasons? And it’s not like I have not enjoyed seeing many of the London productions I wouldn’t be able to see. I just wish that the celebration of “Broadway” would be actually that.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 12/4/19 at 1:11am

I'm loving this on streaming. Playing it again (middle of the boxing match right now, love Mitchell's using the Angel for the ring ropes) and I listen to the audio at work! KB is really one of my favorite recent musicals. Saw it once on tour in San Francisco, and three times in NYC including the final performance this past April. How the Hirschfeld mezzanine is still standing is beyond me. It was rocking during the finale. Native Californian, I've been through countless earthquakes, but this sort of freaked me out. 

Anyway, what an outside filmed version. Nothing can replace the electricity in the theater, but the closeups are great, and I appreciate how they often just have a static camera on lots of scenes. Too many filmed versions use jump cuts and rapid editing. 

Oh, such great memories despite my continued quibble with Charlie's out-of-nowhere turning on Lola and getting angry in Act 2. His sole purpose was to save the factory. Lola did that. Why be pissed at her? 

But most importantly, who is this Sean Needham (Don) fellow? Super handsome man. Daniel was good but this 'Don' was nice to watch. 

[TBone]

Posted: 12/4/19 at 11:09am

PatrickDC said: "But most importantly, who is this Sean Needham (Don) fellow? Super handsome man. Daniel was good but this 'Don' was nice to watch."

I had a similar reaction to Jordan Fox. Bless those pants. 

Updated On: 12/4/19 at 11:09 AM

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 1:34pm

I enjoyed the PBS version more than I did the OBC.  I thought Charlie was spot on and Lola didn't annoy me like Billy Porter's portrayal of him.  The choreography seemed a bit simplistic in parts, especially in the finale, which I don't recall from my first experience.  I also found the guys much hotter in this version than the OBC.