Largest cast in company history tells story of a family business’s sole-wrenching struggle for survival
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
It’s almost time to get kinky.
“Kinky Boots,” a Tony Award winning play featuring music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, will open at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre on Friday, June 16, and run through Sept. 3.
Featuring the largest cast in Cabaret history, the musical, which was first performed in 2012 in Chicago and a year later on Broadway, was mostly inspired by true events. “Kinky Boots” tells the story of Charlie, a young man trying to save his family’s shoe business. He finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous drag entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.
“Throughout the course of the story we see glimpses of the lives of people from two different walks of life who turn out to be not so different, even if they appear to be on the outside,” director Keenon Hooks says of the musical’s storyline. “Our characters go through journeys of self-discovery, self-worth, acceptance, forgiveness and healing.”
“Kinky Boots” earned 13 Tony nominations and six wins in 2013, including best musical, best original score and best actor.
The show features Cabaret veterans Deanna Ott (“Chicago,” “Noises Off”), Alex Boyles (“Buddy Holly,” “The Full Monty”), August Gabriel (“Moon Over Buffalo,” “Play That Goes Wrong”), Austin Miller (“The Full Monty,” “A Christmas Carol”), Lauren Blair (“White Christmas,” “Trailer Park”), Haley Jane Forsyth (“Once,” “Poirot”), Brianna Gowland (“The Full Monty”), Owen Ing (“White Christmas”), Melanie Marie (“A Christmas Carol”), and Tyler Ward Lemons (“She Loves Me,” “Sherlock”). Cabaret newcomers are Miss Jaye, Jonathan Cobrda, Gracie Jurczyk, Teddy Wilson, Micah Jeremiah Mims, Matthew Tiberi, Jack Boyles, and Alia Imani Newman.
Hooks is making his Cabaret directorial debut after previously choreographing “Beehive” and “The Drowsy Chaperone” for OCT, and performed as the Tenor in “The All Night Strut.”
The “Kinky Boots” design team includes set designer Joe Klug, lighting and projection designer Michael Stanfill, sound designer Graham Howatt, props designer James Paul Xavier, and costume designer Kristie Mattsson.
If it were a movie, “Kinky Boots” would be rated PG-13.
Following its June 16 opening, the musical will have 1 p.m. matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and 8 p.m. evening performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights. The show closes Sunday, Sept. 3.
Reservations are required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages, and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets are $43 for A level seating with limited $39 B level seating and $29 C level seating. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances while $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
