Millennial Notes

Lauper & Fierstein’s Musical Mixes Shoemakers & Drag Queens

by Erin Weitzman

Berkeley Playhouse invites everybody to say “Yeah” to “Kinky Boots”! This is an important story with messages of accepting others for who they are. Here’s a musical that proclaims that it’s never too late to change your ideas and become open-minded.

With songs by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, the musical transports us to Northampton, England, where Charlie Price (Seth Hanson) takes over his father’s failing shoe factory, Price & Son. Charlie is inspired by his meeting with the fabulous Lola, a champion boxer turned drag queen, played brilliantly by the captivating B Noel Thomas.

Learning from Lola, Charlie tries to save the family shoe business by creating heels that can support the weight of a man but are styled like women’s shoes. The show pits Lola’s “Angels,” her back-up dancers and singers, against the prejudices and homophobia of Price & Son’s workers–a classic match-up.

Thomas’ Lola carries herself with confidence and poise. She commands the stage in every scene, singing and strutting. Lola wears sparkling red costumes, and of course, high-heeled boots. Moving with power and grace, Lola leads her dancers, giving 110% of her energy to us. She sings with passion and emotion, enchanting even the hard-nosed factory workers.

The women in the factory finally admit to looking forward to seeing Lola’s wardrobe each day. They learn to reveal their own secret passions, too.  When Lola brings in her drag queen “Angels,” the workers transcend their fears and objections.

When a super-macho factory worker tries to bring Lola down due to his own insecurities, Lola manages to rise above the objections to her existence!

The Angels bring down the house with “Everybody Say Yeah,” a standout ensemble number, with multi-part harmonies and dance solos. I would like to see even more featured dances from the Angels, to highlight the importance of offering confidence and power to the marginalized.

Thomas commands our attention in impressive vocals like “Not My Father’s Son” and “Hold Me in Your Heart,” demonstrating incredible range and control. Her acting makes these moments emotional and powerful. As Thomas stands alone onstage, I am drawn in by her skillful musical expressions. Thomas shines in a single spotlight, or, with her supporting Angels.

In high-energy numbers like “Land of Lola” and “Sex is in the Heel,” Thomas demonstrates amazing versatility. Lola remains convincing and witty, capturing what it means to be a leader battling discrimination in the workplace.

The simple sets by Sarah Phykitt precisely emphasize the mood for each scene. Lighting designer Bo Tindell uses bright red for Lola, to transport us in and out of the Price & Son’s factory. The band, directed by Kenji Harada, does a great job bringing Lauper’s music to life.

Director William Thomas Hodgson puts the spotlight on Lola and the dynamic ensemble to bring us a thrilling story about friendship and generosity that we all need to see. Don’t miss it.

 

“Kinky Boots” –book by Harvey Fierstein, music & lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, directed & choreographed by William Thomas Hodgson, music directed by Kenji Harada, by Berkeley Playhouse. Info: BerkeleyPlayhouse.org – to October 15, 2023.

Cast: B Noel Thomas, Seth Hanson, Grace Margaret Craig, No’Eau Kahalekulu, Danny Cozart, Maia Campbell, Elena Ruggiero, CJ Smith, Billy Raphael, Kyle Herrera,

Jaron Liclican, Jose Gallentes, Markaila Dyson, Austine De Los Santos, Tosca Maltzman, Will Thompson, Summer Vance, Miles Meckling, Jesse Cortez, Malcolm Leon,

Lou Cooper, Keenan Moran, Jack Ranney, Tenzin Forder, Lillith Era, Scout Del Real, and Matt Davis.

Banner photo: Jesse Cortez, Scout Del Real, Malcolm Kozachenko-Leon, Lou Cooper, No’Eau Kahalekulu. Photos: Ben Krantz Studio