Wow! Just wow! I'm not ashamed to say that I was first person in the packed house to jump to my feet for a much deserved standing ovation. For anyone unfamiliar, and honestly, I had only the vaguest of ideas what it was about (a shoe factory that makes kinky boots and wins Tony Awards). The story is of a young ne'er-do-well, Charlie, who finds himself suddenly the inheritor of a shoe factory that he doesn't want and that has no one to buy its shoes. A chance meeting with a Drag Queen, Lola, and suddenly Charlie's factory has a new direction. Getting there comes with bumps and dips in the road, but in the end all's well that ends well.
Of the particulars, the sound was iffy--the only real disappointment. My seat was smack dab in the middle of the first row of the mezzanine that put me about 12 fee above and 20 feet away from the edge of the stage. The perfect place to see the whole show at once; and you'd think it would be a good place to hear it, too. Not that it was bad, per se, just noticeable in an annoying way. The set was gorgeous and my first thought was that it reminded me of Onley's production of "Sweeney Todd." My instinct was spot on, Milagros Ponce de Leon was responsible for the scenic design of both. The Costumes! Designed by Kendra Rai, who took home the top prize in the DMV's annual Helen Hayes Awards in 2012, 2015, and 2018 has another winner on her hands. Magnificent.
Of course, what's a show without performers? Here I'm going get specific, although all involved were delightful and wonderfully talented. Together they formed a true ensemble, as well. But I'm going to keep to two of the actors. Vincent Kempski who played Charlie. Before commenting on this performance, I want to say that Vincent is a talented musical theater actor and has a wonderful voice. He also happens to have been a high school student at St. John's College back when my friend was the school Media Specialist. She knows him as Vince. I first encountered him as one of the Apostles in Signature Theatre's 2017 production of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Apparently recognizing both his talent and his potential Signature proceeded to keep him busy. Over the years I've also seen him in "Billy Elliot," "Assassins," and just this past December "Into the Woods" where he stole the audience's hearts as Cinderella's Prince. Each show a larger roll, and better performance. Stepping outside of Signature's esteemed bubble, taking the reigns of "Kinky Boots" for Olney was a brilliant choice for all involved. Vincent was pitch perfect vocally, dramatically, comedic-ly. And though we've never met, nor does he have a clue as to who I am, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for him in all that he's accomplished, and wonder at what awaits him in the future.
The pillar of the show is Lola, the leader of a troop of Drag Queens called the Angels. The roll went to Solomon Parker III, another local talent who has also performed in a handful of Signature's productions, I've seen him in three, most recently as Harpo in "The Color Purple". Honestly, when I made that connection, I had to ask myself, "really?" So different and so utterly convincing were both performances. Even within this single show, Solomon was given the opportunity to go from fierce diva to insecure, uncomfortable in his own skin, man. He is a shoe in for Best Actor in a Musical, and he sets the bar for whomever will win.
I wish there were more press photos; however, the show just opened on Thursday, and the fact that this was only their third performance--the sky is the limit! The show has already been extended through March 26.
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