The feel-good, multi award-winning musical Kinky Boots will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from October 2016. Kinky Boots features a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.
In a statement today, Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews said: “I’m thrilled to announce that the Australian premiere season of Kinky Boots will be hosted in Melbourne, the theatre and arts capital of the country. It tells a powerful story and speaks to equality, to fairness, to dignity and to all of those things that Victorians hold dear.”
Inspired by a true story and based on the Miramax film by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth starring Joel Edgerton, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price who has reluctantly inherited his father’s Northampton shoe factory. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save the family business from bankruptcy, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.
Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s 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 that when you change your mind, you can change the world.
“People’s reactions to Kinky Boots have been amazing from the very beginning. By the end of the show, the audiences are on their feet clapping and dancing and cheering – what more could you possibly ask for?” says composer and lyricist, Cyndi Lauper. “The show has a tonne of heart. It feels like such an honour to be part of something that makes people so happy.”
The blockbuster Broadway hit scooped six Tony Awards in 2013, including Best Musical and Best Original Score Written for the Theatre – the first time a solo female composer has ever won the award. The production also took home the 2014 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig said: “We are very proud of the show, and we cannot wait for Australian audiences of all ages to experience the joyful and heart-warming production that has been embraced around the world.”
With Australian Producer, Michael Cassel adding: “I am very excited to partner with Daryl, Hal and Cameron Mackintosh to bring this phenomenal, Tony Award-winning production to Australia. I am looking forward to our auditions commencing later this year as we begin the search for our Australian cast.”
Kinky Boots officially opened on Broadway in April 2013, with a production also currently on tour in the US. It has since opened in Seoul (November 2014) and Toronto (June 2015), with the production opening at London’s Adelphi Theatre on 15 September 2015.
“A sizzling, high-spirited new musical that’s bound to put cheer in your heart!” – USA Today
The Australian Premiere of Kinky Boots will take place at Her Majesty’s Theatre in October 2016. Waitlist for tickets is now available. For more information, visit: www.kinkybootsthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: The original Broadway cast of Kinky Boots – photo by Matthew Murphy