KINKY BOOTS to win the Tony over MATILDA?

I had drinks this evening with a large group of industry colleagues, one of whom saw KINKY BOOTS this weekend and one who saw MATILDA.

To summarize the conversation, all 9 Tony Voters plan to vote KINKY BOOTS for Best Musical.

Talking points:
- Most didn't think MATILDA lived up to the hype. One flat out hated it.
- Even though it is based on a British film, KINKY BOOTS is an American musical versus a British import.
- They heard from other industry colleagues of similar reaction to MATILDA: that they didn't seem to care for it as much as they heard others have.


I know this is only 9 voters amongst 850+...but the conversation we had tonight aligns with word of mouth from many theatre friends in the industry. Wouldn't that be a shock if KINKY BOOTS pulls off a win?

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The American Queens would be dancin' in Shubert Alley!

I love every song in KINKY BOOTS. I think it's the best cast recording in a year. As for MATILDA, once was more than enough for me. Besides maybe one or two songs, that I'll import to iTunes, I could go my whole life and never hear the rest of that score again.

Updated On: 5/7/13 at 12:45 AM

Kinky is the best show by far...

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The issue Matilda faces is everyone going in the highest of expectations thinking its supposed to be so ground breaking when in reality it comes off as Annie with a pessimistic outlook on life, telekenisis, and Brittish accents.
Kinky Boots on the other hand people go in will mixed expectations and leave the show smiling and singing.

Matilda's biggest problem is that it is a musical drama with no real thought provoking theme or message. Next to Normal had bipolar disorder, Company had marriage, Once has love at first sight, even Les Miz points out that there is a better life out there somewhere, Matilda, the musical at least, just says its great to be naughty if you get what you want in the end.

When I left Matilda I was depressed, when I left Kinky Boots I was happy....you do the math

I agree with BDN23, Kinky is a feel good musical, whereas Matilda is a feel bad one. While it might be a Brit vs. American thing, and I think both musicals are worthy, I think the drag queens might pull it off over the Revolting Children.

Updated On: 5/7/13 at 01:26 AM

Really? No overall message in Matilda? I thought it was standing up to bullies. That's what I took away from it. It's right there in the chorus of "Naughty":

'Cause if you're little, you can do a lot, you
Mustn't let a little thing like 'little' stop you.
If you sit around and let them get on top, you
Won't change a thing.
Just because you find that life's not fair, it
Doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it.
If you always take it on the chin and wear it,
You might as well be saying you think that it's OK.
And that's not right.
And if it's not right, you have to put it right.

And I happen to think those are fantastic lyrics. Really wonderful lyrics throughout and whimsical music as well.

I'm surprised how many people are outwardly dismissing Matilda. I thought it was an incredible production from top to bottom. (I also enjoyed Kinky Boots, so what do I know.)

What's American pop about Miss Trunchbull or the others? The conception of Matilda's father is rooted in Brit culture. And her mother's ballroom loudness is an international phenomenon.

I believe Matilda's family's obsession with television and Miss Trunchbull's with athletic achievement over Matida's literary taste is intended as a parody of a stereotyped British view of the domination of global popular culture by vulgar, illiterate American exports. I believe little Matilda is intended to represent aristocratic English literary sensibility that must stand up to a "tyranny of the majority."

At least that's how it struck me. That is why I thought Patrick Healy said in the New York Times, on March 24, "The answer [to whether Matilda becomes a blockbuster internationally] hinges on whether the sensibility and sophistication of Matilda will translate to American audiences…"

I'd vote for Kinky Boots...in a heartbeat. I loved it in spite of it's flaws. I can't say the same about Matilda. My Personal preference.

I do think that the hype is hurting Matilda. I always feel that when someone tells me something is great and amazing - whether it's a play, book or movie... my expectations are really high and it's easier to get disappointed. Many people are going into Kinky Boots with lower expectations and then they are pleasantly surprised. It's hard to leave a show feeling so damn good and then not vote for it.

I'd vote for Billy Porter for lead actor also - not that I didn't LOVE Bertie's performance but he is in the wrong category. I don't really know if being up for a lead actor award when you are really in fact a supporting actor is going to hurt his chances. It really IS a shame the Matilda people decided to to this route. There is just a little arrogance in the marketing to me...that doesn't appeal to me at all.

There is absolutely no way that MATILDA will be able to live up to the unbelievable rave reviews it got. Makes a lot of critics look stupid that they heaped so much praise on something so mediocre.

I LOVED Kinky Boots and will be back as soon as I can get there. It's the best new musical of the year by far (Pippin is my other favorite production, but as I said, "new"). I cannot wait to see Kinky again. The message is poignant-self-acceptance must come before you can accept others. I loved the music and remembered a few songs at least.

In my opinion, Matilda was hardly mind-blowing theater. It was fine-sure it's a little darker than Annie, but I wish they'd stuck a bit closer to the book in terms of the telekinesis (in the book it starts a lot earlier). And the score didn't do it for me. I can barely remember more than a few songs-which did little to propel the story forward. The performances were fine (loved Bertie).

But Kinky Boots deserves it-the score tells the story and the book isn't nearly as weak as everyone led me to believe. I was happy when I left and it addresses issues that are relevant in a way that isn't overly preachy. I have been telling people to see it. If I was voting, Kinky would have it. (Along with book and score. Director=Dianne Paulus.)

I think Kinky may pull it off if the road voters can be convinced that this will sell on the road. That's a big hurdle with the storyline. I hope it does-it would deserve it. (I do wonder about the American vs. British aspect.)

Updated On: 5/7/13 at 08:17 AM

It isn't 'tacked on' in the book. That's sure how it comes across in the show.