Press Release
Kinky Boots, the Grammy, Olivier, and Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, struts its way onto the Dock Street Theatre stage this April. Featuring a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and a joyous, Tony-winning score by music sensation Cyndi Lauper, this high-heeled hit will bring plenty of dazzle and sparkle for Charleston Stage’s 44th season finale.
This big-hearted musical, based on the 2005 Miramax film and inspired by true events, tells the story of Charlie Price, who has reluctantly inherited his father's failing shoe factory, and Lola a fabulous cabaret entertainer who turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man that he is meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and together forge their own futures making the sturdiest and flashiest red stiletto boots the world has ever seen!
“We’re pulling out all the stops with this Broadway musical sensation,” says Director Marybeth Clark. “What a privilege this process has been for me as a director. Kinky Boots was supposed to open two years ago. We had a cast and had started design work. But then….. we all know what happened. Imagine my joy as things started back up and I realized I was surrounded by such a supportive team. Kinky Boots is a story about people trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. I am so grateful for this experience and hope you’ll join us for this magical production.”
Leading the cast as Charlie Price is Resident Actor Drew H. Wells. Wells was last seen on the Historic Dock Street Theatre stage as Michel the Conductor in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Playing alongside Wells and rotating the role of the fabulous diva, Lola, are Resident Actors K’nique Eichelberger (Matthews/Elf The Musical and Mr./Father/Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook) and Jerquintez A. Gipson (Colonel Arbuthnot/Murder On the Orient Express and The Manager/Elf The Musical).
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arleston Stage’s production of Kinky Boots also features Charleston Stage Resident Actors Logan Edris as Don (Daddy Cane/Bright Star) and Julia Kelly-Davis as Lauren (Lucy Grant/Bright Star), and Charleston actors Cherie Kaufman as Nicola (Brooke/Vicki/Noises Off) and Michael Locklair as George (Joe Stoddard/Our Town). The cast also includes an ensemble of 17 additional performers from Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company, Acting Ensemble, and the Charleston theatre community.
Charleston Stage’s Kinky Boots features set designs by Adam Jehle, who recently designed the sets for Black Pearl Sings! Associate Costume Designer and Construction Coordinator Haley O’Brien has designed over 100 colorful costumes, featuring multiple stiletto boots and representing all the beauty and glamour of drag performers. Resident Music Director Sam Henderson is leading an orchestra of 7 musicians who will play the vibrant score written by Cyndi Lauper. There's also delightful choreography and show stopping dance numbers choreographed by New York Choreographer Lauren Monteleone. Audiences may remember Monteleone as a Resident Actor who appeared on stage with the company ten years ago in productions of Legally Blonde, Nevermore, Boeing-Boeing and Anything Goes. Other spectacular production designs featured are by Resident Lighting Designer Caleb S. Garner, Resident Sound Designer Luke Walchuk, Properties Master Stefanie Darby, with stage management by Resident Stage Manager Ravyn T. Meador.
Performances of Kinky Boots run April 6th – May 1st at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Tickets sales are available online at CharlestonStage.com.
