Kinky Boots at James M. Nederlander Theatre

“The hit musical returns with its heart and glittery heels intact!” – New York Theatre Guide

The boots are back, and strutting in style in your direction this season! Are you ready for the most glamorous boots you’ve ever seen? Are you ready for something flawless, fantastic, vibrant, joyous, and uplifting? Are you ready for the heaps of charisma, glamour, razzle-dazzle, and energy that is about to explode on stage the moment the shoe-box is opened? Are your boots laced up, polished, and ready to shine this summer, Chicago?

So go ahead, mark your calendar, phone up your friends, and rope in your family, because Broadway’s smash-hit musical, powerfully driven by the pop-rock energy of Cyndi Lauper’s iconic score, Kinky Boots, is coming to the James M. Nederlander Theatre! 

It’s a full-throttle, spectacular retelling of the true story of Charlie and his ailing shoe factory, touching on gender and sexuality with an exceptional warmth, tenderness, and good humour – and it’s an absolute must-see! So everybody, say yeah! 

Kinky Boots Tickets

Tickets are on sale now directly from the James M. Nederlander Theatre’s box office, and due to the exceptionally high demand, the seats are filling up fast! So slap on your shoes and strut your stuff down there and get your tickets now! The better option, however, is to just click your heels, hit the Buy Tickets button, and select your seats, process your purchase, and download your buyer-guaranteed tickets to your phone within minutes, with the courtesy of the world’s most reliable online marketplace TicketSqueeze.com! 

“From soulful to spectacular, with a healthy side of humour, each track emulates the narrative in a way that keeps audiences hanging on to every note.” – Watch That Scene

SYNOPSIS

When Charlie Price unexpectedly inherits the failing Price & Son shoe factory, he is forced to start thinking out of the shoe-box – maybe the regular, classic men’s dress shoes had to start making way for something else: something more dazzling, something more vibrant, something more sassy. 

During a scuffle in London, Charlie steps up to defend the glamorous drag queen Lola. She visits the Price & Son factory, seeking assistance with her broken heels. In an instant the idea is planted – traditional drag boots are not designed to carry the weight of a male performer, and in hiring Lola as a consultant and forming an unlikely partnership, Charlie starts designing the most gorgeous stiletto heels aimed at the drag market. 

If there’s ever been a triumphant, feel-good musical production, it’s Kinky Boots. Touching on the powerful, timeless message of acceptance, kindness, and expectations, it’s enough to turn any homophonic shoe factory worker into supporting allies.  

“You’ll come away from this production uplifted and emotional: it’s a human story that resonates whether it’s set in Liverpool, Milan or Cardiff.” – Buzz Magazine

CREATIVE TEAM

It’s no small feat for a Broadway underdog to rise up on its stilettos to multi-award-winning status. It takes a creative team with stratospheric levels of talent, skill, and expertise to make this happen – and that is exactly what the award-winning creative team at the helm of Kinky Boots are, and what they got right. 

Based on the 2005 British film of the same name, Harvey Fierstein’s book and pop-icon Cyndi Lauper’s music and lyrics exploded onto the stage, and is now stepping out for a North American tour!  

The creative team for this outing features the incredible talents of Broadway veterans, including director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, On Your Feet!, Boop! The Musical), arranger and orchestrator Stephen Oremus, scenic designer David Rockwell, costume designer Gregg Barnes, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, sound designer Gareth Owen, and hair designer Josh Marquette.  

“‘Kinky Boots’ is a beautiful cocktail of Harvey Fierstein’s book filled with humor and heartwarming moments, and dazzled with Cyndi Lauper’s blend of electric pop-funk numbers and emotional ballads.” – Broadway World

CAST

Audiences can look forward to experiencing the feathers, glitter, and glamour of an exceptionally talented cast, oozing with an almost otherworldly dazzle, going full-throttle, fully-embodied, and full-throated! 

The cast for the touring production of Kinky Boots includes the prowess of Omari Collins “Scarlett D. Von’Du” as Lola, Noah Silverman as Charlie Price, Sophia Gunter as Lauren, Jason Daniel Chacon as Don, Emma Dean as Nicola, John Anker Bow as George, Carlyn Barenholtz as Pat, Blake Du Bois as Harry, Val Moranto as Trish, Dominic Pagliaro as Mr. Price, Thomas Ed Purvis as Simon Sr., and Kyle Williamson as Richard Bailey.    

“The ensemble works together like a well-oiled machine.” – Broadway World

HISTORY & LEGACY

Following the massive success of the 2005 British film, the stage adaptation of Kinky Boots already started taking the shape of a giant musical boot. By 2010 the creative team was assembled, and in October 2012, Kinky Boots stepped out on the stage at the Bank of America Theatre, Chicago. In April 2013, the rave-reviewed musical premiered on Broadway at the Al Hirschfield Theatre. The production was an instant success, grossing over $319 million during its six-year run. 

Kinky Boots’s award-shelf carries a weight of more than just shoe-boxes – it includes a Drama League Award, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, a Drama Desk Award, six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score, an Artios Award, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, an Evening Standard Award, three Laurence Olivier Awards, and two Helpmann Awards. 

“‘Kinky Boots’ is fabulous, it’s fierce, and it’s sassy as hell!” – CentreStage

THE JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

Lace up your glittery boots, and let them do the walking on down to the iconic James M. Nederlander Theatre this summer – the magic is waiting! 

The historic and equally as iconic James M. Nederlander Theatre, situated on 24 West Randolph Street in the Loop area of downtown Chicago, is well-known and much-adored for its regular selection of Broadway productions clicking their sassy heels on its stage. Originally opening in 1926 as a movie palace and vaudeville venue, the James M. Nederlander Theatre set its sights on live theatre in the late 1990s, often hosting touring Broadway productions and premieres – and since then, nearly every blockbuster production is sold-out. 

Originally named The Oriental, the James M. Nederlander Theatre was constructed on the site of the tragic Iroquois Theatre Fire, the deadliest single-building fire in the history of the United States. The restored, refurbished, and renovated James M. Nederlander Theatre kept the original 1926 exterior as designed by architects George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp. The stunning lobby features South-Asian-inspired exotic mosaics, glazed Buddhas, and gorgeous elephant-throne light-fixtures, while the breathtaking 2,253-seat auditorium boasts a 40-foot proscenium arch stage, and Indian-themed plasterwork, architectural designs, and ceiling. 

The James M. Nederlander Theatre is also widely known for its immaculate, cutting-edge sound and lighting systems, its fantastic sight-lines from all its luxurious seats – whether the orchestra floor, dress circle, loge, or balcony, the pin-drop acoustics, and modern amenities including a full bar, a merchandise stand, and large-capacity restrooms. 

“This musical is by far the best feel-good musical!” – The Sprout