Kinky Boots - Fri. Nov. 25, 2022 at 5pm

"Kinky Boots" the film was released in 2005, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as the feisty character of Lola, a drag queen that works the London cabaret circuit. Lola inevitably helps save the Price Shoe Factory with her designs and collaboration with eager factory owner Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton). The musical burst onto Broadway on April 4, 2013 with stunning choreography by Jerry Mitchell (La Cage Au Folles), a witty book by Harvey Fierstein (Newsies), and catchy music by 80's pop sensation Cyndi Lauper. Featuring a talented cast, "Kinky Boots the Musical" went on to win the Tony for Best Musical. Now the musical makes its debut in Irvine, opening the 2022-23 season.

The tour will be headed by the talented Kyle Taylor Parker as Lola. Parker graduated from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. The school also produced his understudy, J. Harrison Ghee. In addition to being phenomenally talented, these actors have an extraordinary work ethic. They understand what it means to work towards their dreams; qualities that undoubtedly shape their performances as Lola. They have been up at two in the morning to put their name on a list with hundreds of other actors, they have gathered funds to attend classes to perfect their craft, they have danced until their feet blistered, they have studied every nuance of their songs, and they have painstakingly gone through every detail and action that each character requires.

Their training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy was intense. Their first class could start as early as 7am and their last class could go as late as 10pm. This doesn't include the rehearsal time needed in order to pass those classes. After graduation comes the audition process. The audition process in New York can be exhausting both mentally and physically. Often, actors need to be awake and on the train by 2 am in order to get to the audition location and put their name on a list. After their name is on the list they must wait until the audition starts, usually at around 10am.

Kyle Taylor Parker

Before the audition, it is essential that the actors warm-up. This means a series of vocal and physical exercises - not the easiest of tasks in a small, crowded New York City apartment at three in the morning. After they've succeeded in warming up, it is back to the audition location where they wait with upwards of 600 other actors who are usually auditioning for the same part. When the audition begins, the actors are brought in small groups to a separate room and lined up outside of a door to the actual audition room. If they are first in the line, they are saved the stress of listening to other actors sing ahead of them. They are given time enough to sing 8 to 16 bars of music (10 to 30 seconds). In that time they must make a good and memorable impression on the people in charge of casting.

The people behind the table have at least 600 other actors to see. They are tired and they need to see a glimpse of something spectacular. After they sing, the actors go back to the holding room where they wait. Did they make it to the next round? Did they make the cut? If they have made the cut, they could either be at the audition for the rest of the day or they are called back for a full day of a "call-back" audition. This doesn't factor in the jobs they work to pay their rent. The actors seen on stage are the hardest of workers and the most talented of the bunch.

J. Harrison Ghee

It is always interesting knowing a little backstory about the actors, because that backstory usually lends itself to the characters they step into night after night. The character of Lola overcomes judgment and discrimination in order to do what she loves, and in pursuit of her passion she not only helps herself and her peers, but she also helps save a factory and the livelihoods of all the employees. Both Parker and Ghee have followed their passion for several years, have faced the judgment that comes with being an actor, and now their hard work has resulted in a dream coming true. It will be magical to watch their performances because when Lola faces rejection, they have felt that hurt before in their lives, and when Lola feels joy, they have experienced that joy. They will step into the boots and vacate themselves but we will know that behind every action on stage there is a true and deep understanding by the actors.

Check out the interview with Kyle Talylor Parker here.

FINE magazine