The hit musical “Kinky Boots,” winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical, has finally been checked off our must-see list. Its easy-to-follow story, flashy dancing, and eye-catching costumes kept us utterly absorbed – why does it draw you in so hard, make you forget time, and let you enjoy it from the heart? I’ll report the reasons I felt in detail. And yes, we also did stage door duty again and met the two leads plus the heroine, so I will cover that thoroughly too!
Table of Contents
About Kinky Boots
The musical is adapted from the 2005 British-American film of the same name. it is based on the true story of Steve Pateman of the long-established shoe maker W. J. Brookes Limited. A rundown shoe factory is reborn after meeting a troupe of drag queens, and the show comically portrays how they confront and overcome prejudice and discrimination.
Plans for a stage adaptation surfaced the year after the movie released. The creative team came together in 2010, a Chicago tryout followed in 2012, and the show debuted on Broadway in 2013, where it still enjoys love today. One key reason for its continued popularity is that pop icon Cyndi Lauper – who helped define the American 80s pop-rock scene – wrote the entire score for this musical.
In Japan, a 2016 summer production starring Haruma Miura and Teppei Koike brought the title to many people’s attention. Those 44 Osaka and Tokyo performances sold out quickly, and thanks to that popularity the show was scheduled to return in April-May 2019 in Japan.
We have gathered the must-know info – the show’s appeal, synopsis, highlights, and more – on the detail page. Be sure to check it out before you go.
Enjoyment starts before curtain at the Kinky Boots venue
With our long-awaited Kinky Boots outing finally here, we headed to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre trying to keep our excitement in check. Unlike most houses clustered between 6th and 8th Avenues in the Theater District, this one sits slightly to the west – but Times Square is just steps away, so it is a safe, lively area even late at night (fun fact: there is a strip club next door…).
The building itself has stood for nearly 95 years and its facade alone can stop you in your tracks. There are things to see both before you enter and after you are inside, so let’s highlight them.
Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Address: 302 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
For seating charts, architectural design notes, and history of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre – which has hosted many classics since 1924 – see the page below if you are planning to attend.
Must-see moments before you enter
On the right side of the main doors is the stage door area; the column by that staff-only entrance bears the name of builder Martin Beck. This is where the cast exits after the show, so scout it in advance.
Panels near the entrance introduce the show in multiple languages, although some languages may be a little bit unnatural in wording or spelling.
Must-see! A theater interior with museum-level elegance
The interior of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre is far more refined and ornate than you might expect from the outside – it genuinely feels like being in an art museum.
Since its 1924 opening, the venue hasn’t undergone large-scale renovation. Highlights include the graceful, weighty decor and the theater-wide series of golden, grand arch-shaped dome lights: a trio of domes right above the lobby entrance, a stained-glass-style dome above the orchestra ceiling, and the largest dome above the mezzanine.
These are artworks you can see only here. Even if you’re seated on the orchestra level, it is worth walking up to the mezzanine to appreciate them.
*Click the images to enlarge
Also, don’t miss the original pieces on the second floor by the theater’s namesake, artist Albert Hirschfeld. They are all authentic, making this genuinely feel like a miniature museum visit.
Our seats for this performance
We were lucky to be invited – and luckier still to get fantastic seats. Three together on the aisle near center orchestra was perfect. At that moment we had no idea that being on the aisle would make this musical even more fun…
How to read the ticket: ORCHR S 6
Row S (17th from the front), seat number 6
Being on the aisle gave us a clean sightline across to the opposite wing. The mezzanine does overhang here, so the very top of tall set pieces can be slightly hidden, but Kinky Boots doesn’t rely on vertical staging, so you won’t miss anything important.
How to spend time before curtain and at intermission
The merch is incredibly cute
Half the fun of Broadway is browsing the merch. With its signature red boots, Kinky Boots offers an especially wide and adorable selection compared to other shows.
If you miss your chance during intermission because of restroom lines, you can also order from the official online store. The adjacent bar sells beer in Kinky Boots logo cups (from $12).
Take a close look at the set before you sit
As you enter, the stage greets you with the “PRICE AND SON” sign for the long-standing family shoe factory run by Charlie Price.
From the very front row we realized something: the stage here is fairly high, so the true front row might be a neck-stretcher. You can also see the orchestra in the pit getting into place – a fun, rare peek behind the scenes.
Post-show fun! First-time stage door experience
Every Kinky Boots cast member was wonderfully gracious
The fun doesn’t end with the curtain call. At the stage door you can talk to the cast face to face and get autographs – one of Broadway’s unique joys. For Kinky Boots the spot is the staff entrance we mentioned earlier. The cast and crew file out here, so head straight out after the show to claim your place.
We have done a few stage doors, and Kinky Boots ranks near the top for cast friendliness. Despite the long show, Broadway actors are disarmingly approachable. Crowds vary, but they usually greet people one by one, pose for photos, and sign. Share your thoughts on the show and they’ll respond. This cast went the extra mile – handing over phones to do selfies, jumping onto a fan’s live Instagram Story, even saying “I’m on a video call with my friend, say hi!” and pointing the camera at us. Absolute stars.
After about an hour, we scored autographs and photos with Lola’s J. Harrison Ghee, limited-engagement Charlie David Cook, and scene-stealing Lauren Carrie St. Louis, among others. Don’t miss this quintessential Broadway experience.
*Click the images to enlarge
Watch for Angels dancer John Jeffrey Martin
A quick check of the Playbill revealed him as John Jeffrey Martin, who plays Richard, one of Lola’s six Angels.
Hungry afterward? Hit Shake Shack
Late-night burger guilt aside, we inhaled our usual Shroom Burger and an Arnold Palmer (half iced tea, half lemonade). Pro tip: the ever-busy Shack has short lines near closing, so you can order quickly and even find a seat.
Kinky Boots – post-show impressions
Why it works even if you don’t know the story or songs
Compared to other musicals, this one embraces big expressions and bold, readable gestures in the best way. The premise is simple: a failing shoe factory meets drag queens and decides to make boots men can wear. With such clear acting, you’re never hung up on English dialogue.
Plus, Cyndi Lauper’s upbeat score is so catchy that your body starts moving by the second chorus the first time you hear it – the melodies sit right in for me personally. Before you can analyze “good lyrics” or “good melody,” the queens deliver mind-blowing, circus-level dance spectacle that hits with childlike wonder.
So if you’re thinking “my English is shaky, I should stick to Disney staples like Aladdin or The Lion King,” hold up – we strongly recommend giving Kinky Boots a shot.
If you want razor-sharp dancing, this is your show
Watch for “The Sex is in the Heel.” it is a Lola-led number with an undeniable groove, and the Angels are the focus for killer choreography.
“Everybody Say Yeah” also turns into a call-and-response party. Forget you’re an audience member and just shout “Yeah!” with everyone.
A Human Story Beyond Discrimination And Labels
At first glance it looks like a straightforward underdog comeback tale, but the show packs deeper elements.
Both leads grew up under heavy parental expectations. Charlie rebels against taking over the family business, but his father’s sudden passing forces his hand – and he struggles mightily. Lola, who loved women’s clothes and shoes as a boy, couldn’t openly express her identity in that era’s England, was cut off by the father who raised her alone, and chose life as a drag queen.
Late in the story everything crashes: Charlie’s relationship with his fiancee falls apart and he clashes fiercely with Lola. it is one of the rawest onstage fights we’ve ever seen in a musical. Charlie’s unresolved biases explode from all angles, and the torrent of insults he hurls at Lola freezes the room. The whiplash from the earlier bright numbers drops us to rock bottom. In a silence so deep you could hear a swallow, the plot turns – and I found myself thinking, “They’re really going to play the dynamics at this level…”
If there were an intermission here, it would break the spell. Instead, the entire rise from that nadir is packed into the final hour, a bold structural choice. Without cooling, the show accelerates straight through the finale. Kinky Boots grips its audience to the end.
By opening yourself to different perspectives, you open new worlds. The show reminds us of the importance of acceptance. it is a rare musical that lets you laugh a ton while also reflecting on how to live.
Broadway Musical Discount Tickets – On Sale Now!
Find the best Broadway ticket deals right here – faster, cheaper, and backed by local expertise. Get ready to experience the magic of Broadway!
- Get discount tickets easily with instant booking
- The most detailed musical guides and reviews
- Dedicated support throughout your Broadway experience
