Kinky Boots - a Musical with a heart & a bit of sass

It has taken me too long to get around to seeing the long-running Broadway musical Kinky Boots,  a situation I finally remedied this weekend when the traveling show stopped by the lovely Lincoln Center in Fort Collins. While I knew something about the show being connected to the music of Cyndi Lauper, I had literally no idea what the story was about, and that made it quite a treat. What a wonderful, engaging, entertaining, and heartwarming show, one that will have you practically dancing in your chair during the show's finale.

I didn't know this, but the musical, which won numerous Tony awards in 2013, is based on a film from 2005, which was seen and adapted for the stage by the esteemed Harvey Fierstein. And, Lauper came on to write the music, a score for which she won the Tony. I'd originally thought the story was based on the songs of Cyndi Lauper, ... so I was waiting for some story about "Girls [who] Wanna Have Fun." But, alas, no. It's an entire musical score, and it features some really great new Broadway hits. 

Kinky Boots is the story of two people looking for their place in the world, a place where they can be who the truly want to be. Based on a true story (a BBC documentary inspired the original film screenwriter), KB is the story of Charlie who reluctantly takes over his father's struggling shoe business after his father passes, and his relationship with Lola, a flamboyant drag queen who could benefit from a new product -- obviously, the "kinky boots" of the title.

Not to give too much away, but the great message of the musical -- a message that is both timely and timeless -- can be found in Lola's six steps to success:  

1. Pursue the truth
2. Learn something new
3. Accept yourself and you'll accept others too 
4. Let love shine
5. Let pride be your guide 
6. Change the world when you change your mind