Three years after it was originally set to dazzle audiences in Cambridge, Tony Award winning international smash hit Kinky Boots is primed and ready to take to the stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre for a three-week run starting Aug. 3.
Better late than never, says Drayton Entertainment's artistic director Alex Mustakas.
“Kinky Boots is undoubtedly a worldwide phenomenon,” Mustakas says. “It’s energetic, fun, and packed with great music that will appeal to all types of theatregoers. Originally scheduled for the 2020 season, the run was cut short by the pandemic after only three performances. We’re excited to finally bring this show back to Cambridge.”
Winner of six Tony Awards, London's Olivier Award, and a Grammy Award, the huge-hearted, high-heeled hit features a score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
Based on a true story, the musical follows Charlie Price, who is struggling to save the men's shoe factory inherited from his father in Northampton, England.
When all seems lost, a chance encounter with the dazzling drag queen Lola spurs an outrageous idea catering to an underserved niche market by creating "women's boots for women who are men."
With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this mismatched pair eventually embrace their differences and outfit themselves for success by creating a sparkling line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen.
Director and choreographer David Connolly is at the helm of this blockbuster and has directed past hit productions including Disney’s Newsies, Mamma Mia!, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella, and this season’s production of Wizard of Oz: The Panto and The Prom.
The cast features Jos N. Banks in the role of Lola, who helps Charlie save the factory while battling his own demons.
Banks, a native of Chicago, has performed the role of Lola in the North American and Asian Tours of Kinky Boots. He has also appeared in the National Tours of HAIR and The Color Purple and in Choir Boy at Steppenwolf Theater.
Sayer Roberts is Charlie Price, a young man who is trying to save the nearly bankrupt men’s shoe factory left to him by his late father. Roberts appeared in the role of Johnny B. in Drayton Entertainment’s 2016 production of Red Rock Diner, starred as Brad in the Stratford Festival production of The Rocky Horror Show, and performed in the role of Marius in Les Misérables at both the Vancouver Arts Club and Chemainus Theatre Festival.
The large cast also includes AJ Bridel, a Drayton veteran who appeared in the role of Lauren in Mirvish’s production of Kinky Boots.
Based on the 2005 film, Kinky Boots premiered at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago in 2012, then made its Broadway debut at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in 2013. Since its premiere, the show has achieved tremendous success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Broadway productions of all time.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online.
