'Kinky Boots' musical to bring lessons of community, authenticity to Columbus

Short North Stage is kicking up its heels to bring “Kinky Boots” to life in an intimate setting.

The production of the Broadway musical will open Friday at the Garden Theater.

“It’s a really fun musical, but also really moving,” director Chari Arespacochaga said. “Part of the emotional appeal is seeing a community that’s been brought down, to the brink of failing or giving up, coming together and choosing the most out-of-the-box solution to their problem,” she said.

More: Short North Stage's new season to offer fresh take on women-centric works

What inspired the musical?

Composer-lyricist Cyndi Lauper, author Harvey Fierstein and choreographer-director Jerry Mitchell adapted the musical from the 2005 British film. Inspired by a true story, the film and musical focus on a young man (Charlie) struggling to save his fourth-generation-family-run shoe factory from closure, who enlists a drag queen (Lola) to produce high-heeled footwear for men.

“Charlie never thought he could run the factory, or would want to, and Lola never thought she could be a designer,” Arespacochaga said.

The Broadway musical, which ran 2,505 performances (2013-2019), was nominated for 13 Tony awards and won six, including best musical, choreography and score.

“There’s something joyful and resonant in seeing the factory workers work alongside people they never thought they would interact with, ever in their lives, in order to save their livelihood,” Arespacochaga said.

What prompted this production?

When Short North Stage asked patrons on audience surveys what shows they want in upcoming seasons, “Kinky Boots” was their top choice, according to Dionysia Williams, the company’s associate artistic director.

“We love when we can offer big, new and popular dance musicals that tell interesting stories. And we love promoting shows that celebrate being your authentic self and generating a sense of community. ‘Kinky Boots’ does all that,” Williams said.

“Maybe people have seen such musicals in a big touring production at the Ohio or Palace theaters, but now they can see them in more intimate productions at the Garden Theater,” Williams added.

The family-friendly show fills the holiday-season slot.

“’Kinky Boots’ might seem strange at Christmastime, but we think its found-family themes of celebrating one another, no matter how different we are, are relevant for the season,” Williams said.

Who plays Charlie?

New-York-based Corbin Payne plays Charlie.

“Ambitious and impatient but caring, Charlie is hitting the cusp of life. ... It’s a very endearing role, going from someone who’s lost to a guy who discovers his direction in life,” Payne said. “In lots of ways, he falls short, but can understand when he’s done wrong. ,,, At first, Charlie doesn’t have a sense of purpose, wanting nothing to do with the shoe factory or blindly following his fiancé to London."

Payne auditioned frequently to play Charlie in regional productions, but Short North Stage gave him his first opportunity to tackle the musical. (This is his fifth production here, after leading roles in Short North Stage’s “Pippin,” “West Side Story,” “Beautiful” and “Sondheim on Sondheim.”)

“It’s a great story, with really great songs, about accepting people for who they are,” Payne said. “This show unites people in a working-class factory and drag queens, not something that necessarily blends. Together, they create a high-octane, full-throttle spectacle.”

Who's Lola?

New-York-based Omari Collins plays Lola, a drag queen performing at a London cabaret.

“Quick-witted and steadfast, Lola is sure of herself, but sometimes that gets in her way. She knows what she wants from the start, but she’s also finding her way to be OK with herself,” Collins said.

Lola and Charlie’s lives are changed when she’s accosted by two men outside her club and Charlie, a stranger, steps in to help her. After kicking Charlie in the face accidentally and losing the heel of her expensive but poorly made stiletto boots, Lola takes him inside to recuperate.

Trying to fix Lola’s heel, Charlie realizes his factory could improve the sturdiness of such boots at a profit while serving a new market: drag queens. But when Charlie invites Lola to design the boots, she’s skeptical.

“She thinks its crazy at first, but once they go through the logistics, she’s on board,” Collins said.

More: Plan your holiday season with these 10 winter arts events coming to Columbus this year

How challenging are those boots?

Ultimately, everyone puts on the boots to strut and dance.

“The key is where you place your balance. I like to stay on my toes so I have more of a grasp on the floor,” Collins said.

Payne, who’s thrown on high heels to perform improv, still finds the prospect daunting.

“These boots are going to be beasts ... a challenge I’m terrified of,” Payne said.

With boots so pivotal to the show, Arespacochaga and choreographer Chaz Wolcott asked cast members to rehearse with stiletto-heeled shoes even before the actual boots arrived.

“It’s not at all easy ... getting used to the heels and height,” Arespacochaga said.

The stiletto heels, and how drag queens and others employ them, help define the musical’s feisty spirit.

“They’re confidence-bringers ... loud and in charge, bringing that confident energy into the room,” Collins said.

Without its flamboyant boots and costumes, “Kinky Boots” wouldn’t be so high-spirited, Collins said.

“The more they glitter and sparkle,” she said, “the better.”

How do Lauper's songs enhance the show?

Both Payne and Collins praise Lauper’s Tony-winning score.

“I can’t imagine taking the leap Lauper, one of our pop sweethearts, took to go from a pop writer-singer to actually write a Broadway musical,” said Payne, who grew up listening to “True Colours,” “Time After Time” and Lauper’s other Top-40 hits.

Payne’s favorite song: “Step One,” in which Charlie develops how his factory will make the boots.

“Charlie is saying this is the next step, which will solve all his problems. ... An anthem to optimism and purpose, it’s the catchiest song, contemporary pop, with drums, guitar and power chords driving the idea forward,” Payne said.

Collins’ favorite song, meanwhile, is “Land of Lola.” Performing at her nightclub, Lola introduces the crowd to who she is.

“It’s her time to shine. That fun, high-energy song is pure showmanship. Lola is saying: ‘This is me! Get used to it.’”

mgrossberg1@gmail.com

@mgrossberg1

At a glance

Short North Stage will present “Kinky Boots” Friday through Dec. 31 at the following times: 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays (except Dec. 24) at the Garden Theater, 1187 N. High St. Tickets cost $40 to $55. (614-469-0939, cbusarts.com)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Short North Stage brings 'Kinky Boots' to Columbus