KINKY BOOTS Preps for Opening at Ogunquit Playhouse

Join us in High-heeled heaven!! The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots hits the Ogunquit Playhouse stage September 18 through October 27. Featuring a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein and a joyous, Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, the Ogunquit Playhouse production is staged by Nathan Peck, and stars Graham Scott Fleming as Charlie Price, and Kyle Taylor Parker as Lola, with Tony-nominated Scenic Design by David Rockwell and Tony-nominated Costume Design is by Gregg Barnes.

The hit musical is based on the 2005 Miramax film written by Geoff Dean and Tim Firth, and tells the heartwarming story of Charlie Price who has reluctantly inherited his father's shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father's legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola. As it turns out, Lola is the one person who can help Charlie become the man that he is meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible... and discover that, when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. This joyous show is sure to have audiences dancing in the aisle and discovering, sometimes, the best way to fit in... is to stand out!

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances start at $36 and economy seats start at $51 each. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511

Leading the cast as Charlie Price is Graham Scott Fleming. He portrayed Charlie at the Muny in St. Louis earlier this year, and was nominated for a Dora Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Charlie Price in the Canadian production of Kinky Boots. On Broadway he performed in Miss Saigon, and at Papermill Playhouse in My Very Own British Invasion. In addition to Kinky Boots, Mr. Fleming starred in the Canadian premieres of Ghost and Jukebox Hero.

Kyle Taylor Parker returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse as the fabulous diva, Lola. Last season he performed in the Ogunquit production of Smokey Joe's Cafe that transferred to New York City, and he continued to perform in the production through its Off-Broadway run. Mr. Parker was in the original Broadway cast, as well as the National Tour of Kinky Boots for which he won an IRNE Award for Best Visiting Actor for his performance. In addition, he performed in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway and the National Tour of In the Heights. He was recently featured in NBC's smash hit Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. At regional theatres he has performed in Dreamgirls, Hair, and the world premiere of My Very Own British Invasion.

The Ogunquit Playhouse production of Kinky Boots features Joe Coots as Don, Maggie McDowell as Lauren, Ashley North as Nicola, and John Scherer as George. Joe Coots performed in the Ogunquit Playhouse productions of The Full Monty, Crazy for You, and South Pacific. His most recent theater credits include the world premiere of Human Error and the First National Tour of Kinky Boots. Maggie McDowell returns to Ogunquit Playhouse after performing as Marty in 2014's Grease. She has performed in Kinky Boots on Broadway, in the First National Tour, and at The Muny earlier this year. On Broadway she performed in Disaster!, and Off Broadway in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Pinklacious. Ashley North joins the cast after recently performing in the National Tour of Kinky Boots. Her many regional theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hair, and Les Miserables. John Scherer returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse stage where he last appeared in 2001's 42nd Street as Billy Lawlor. On Broadway he has performed in Lovemusik, By Jeeves, and Sunset Boulevard. His Off-Broadway shows include Olympus On My Mind, Dames At Sea, and Preppies.

The cast also includes Meryn Beckett, Lindsay Braverman, Peter Ermides, Taylor Galvin, Danny Grumich, Arnold Harper II, Chris Kane, Hayley Lampart, Ian Laudano, Julia Malone, Rebecca Mason-Wygal, Mitchell Matyas, Andrew Norlen, Michael Prescott McClure, Robert Pendilla, Devin Price, and Sam Rohloff.

Helming the Playhouse production of Kinky Boots as Director and Choreographer is Nathan Peck. He was the Dance Captain for the entire Broadway run of Kinky Boots, during which he coached Wayne Brady, Brendon Urie, Todrick Hall, Tiki Barber, and Mark Ballas, among others. He recently choreographed the PBS special Live from Lincoln Center: Stars in Concert starring Annaleigh Ashford. Mr. Peck was the dance/movement consultant on the Brodway productions of You Can't Take It With You, Sylvia, and Our Mother's Brief Affair. He also choreographed Broadway Bares XXVIII for BC Beat, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ridgefield Playhouse, and served as the Director of Soul Sessions starring Kyle Taylor Parker at Greenroom 42 in NYC. As a performer, he has appeared on Broadway in Wicked, La Cage aux Folles, Taboo, The Boy From Oz, and Dance of the Vampires. Michael Milkanin joins the creative team as Associate Director and Choreographer. Mr. Milkanin was the Dance Captain and Swing for the Broadway production and National Tours of Kinky Boots. Additionally he has performed at regional theatres in Beauty and the Beast at Papermill Playhouse, Paint Your Wagon at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, and The Little Mermaid at the Muny.

Music Director and Conductor of Kinky Boots is Andrew Bourgoin, returning to the Playhouse after working on the 2018 production of Elf the Musical. On Broadway he has served as Music Director for Aladdin and Mean Girls, and was the touring keyboard for The Little Mermaid, and Something Rotten!. Arrangements and Orchestrations for Kinky Boots are by Stephen Oremus.

Lighting Design for Kinky Boots is by Richard Latta. Mr. Latta is the resident lighting designer for Ogunquit Playhouse and recently was nominated for an IRNE Award for Best Lighting Design for his work on the 2018 production of An American in Paris. Kevin Heard joins the creative team as Sound Designer. Mr. Heard won an IRNE Award for Best Sound Design for his work on the 2017 production of Ragtime. Wig Design for Kinky Boots is by John Marquette. Casting for the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Kinky Boots is by Anthony C. Daniel. Production Stage Manager is Daniel Everett.

The Ogunquit Playhouse season will stretch to the holidays once again with the the timeless classic, Annie produced for The Music Hall stage in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 27 through December 22.