KINKY BOOTS Reviews- Page 3

[bdn223]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 10:59am

I will admit I was waiting anxiously for the reviews and could be what you call a naysayer. The following is why:

Everyone knew that Kinky Boots would be Matilda's sole competition at the Tony Awards, but no one really knew anything about it. Most were hoping for the best since everyone hopes for a race and with Matilda comming in with such buzz it made this season's awards were already written in stone. So then when Kinky Boots opened in Chicago to mixed reviews in Chicago, I felt that it basically meant the spring would be a bust. Unlike when Mormon swept because it was a surprise when it opened to raves, everyone knows Matilda will likely open likely raves so most producers of incoming musicals hit the breaks when Matilda announced a Spring transfer right after the Tony's last year. This so their shows stand a chance at the Tony Awards.
So I honestly did not have much faith in Kinky Boots, but I am pleasantly surprised it opened to mostly positive reviews. Now Matilda actually has some competition at the Tony Awards.

I also now have a weird feeling that Matilda won't sweep with Kinky Boots reviews being the nail in that coffin. With the high concept Pippin likely opening to raves Pam McMinnon will likly grab the award since it is her brain child and she deserves to be rewarded for that.
Although Hardbody won't likly stand a chance in any of the major awards, it's reviews all cited the amazing lighting design, which is unusual since that award if often one easily picked up in a sweep, but I have a feeling Hardbody will get it.

Cinderella will win Orchestrations as a send off to Rogers and Hammerstein and will also likely win Costumes, with Kinky Boots possibly grabbing it for the drag costumes.
Set is a toss up between Pippin, Cinderella, and Matilda with I have a feeling that the magic of Cinderella's set giving it the edge.

Score could now be a hot race since I fell that the although Matilda's lyrics and book are great the music is somewhat lackluster, and Laupers score has gotten nearly all raves.

The only locks Matilda currently has are likely Best Book and Featured Actor.

And now that there looks like there will be an actual race for best Musical I am extremely happy. Also I think this years Tonys will not play out so much like La Cage vs. Sunday, but rather similar to last years Newsies vs. Once where road producers are going to decide which show will need the award to sell better on the road. In my opinion would be Kinky Boots, but the fact that the show is about a Drag Queen, could actually hurt it with road producers. I think the Neaderlanders will also be campaigning hard against Matilda despite the fact that they are not producing Kinky Boots. This is due to RSC snubbing them when they looked for producers and instead when with the Dodgers.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 10:59am

"She might be Tony-winner Cyndi Lauper by June. I'm not a fan of pop songwriters crossing over to musical theater, but this score intrigues me."


I'm not a big fan of this either because it seems like they are using Broadway as a means to "legitimatize" themselves after making a career in a music form which has no legit foundation except for popularity. Pop music is just that; "popular" music, with no basis in a given known musical root system. Broadway at least has a "style" and background which is understood. There is a reason why they call it "The legitimate stage". I think the old farts such as myself see these pop musicals (and when I say pop I mean American Idiot, Spiderman types) as just a means of a respect credit for the songwriters. The idea of Billie Jo Armstrong's name on a Broadway marquee sort of upsets my stomach.

Now having said that; I appreciate the respect they personally have for and *bring* to Broadway in that they want to succeed here. I think that's a plus.

In the meantime I love Cyndi and look forward to getting tickets.

[theaterfan862]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:13am

Wow! I am loving all the positive reviews this show is getting. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and had a fabulous time! I can't wait to see it again!

[Marlothom]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:17am

There were no major changes since Chicago - the book was tightened and some songs reworked, but the major issues remained. I think at some point they decided to double down on "FUN" and less on "message" and it paid off. I've been reading the comments sections from the Paper/TV reviews and those folks, who are the average theatregoers, are all gushing about it. Very good sign.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:29am

This mock disbelief and catty comments like: "Who paid him to write that" are disturbing, as if your negative opinions were the only ones that mattered.

You CLEARLY missed the point of my comment. I wasn't saying because I didn't love the show, Brantley should have panned it. I was merely shocked at how much he loved it. He doesn't usually give out a ton of praise to these campy, glittery types of shows. I was simply expecting his review to be more mixed, NOT necessarily negative.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:37am

Okay. Havent seen it, but this, to me, would be the acid test question.

I assume most of you got discounted tickets for this — that seems to be how a lot of people around here see things, so it's a fair assumption.

If you had to pay the full 100+ ticket price to see this, would you?

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:44am

I don't think Broadway needs have a "style" and pedigree like PitPro is suggesting. The mixture of jazz, blues and classical tropes that makes "the standard Broadway sound" is just as malleable as it has always been.

And popular music having no legitimacy other than its popularity is a laugh too. Pop and rock music can produce works as respected and worthy of analysis as any other form, but they produce much that isn't. The Beatles and The Monkees were popular- but you don't see people using The Beatles as a punch line today.

Your argument seems to boil down to "shame on these plebians, trying to pretend that they are real Artists, when we know they're really only panderers from a bastard art form." But it's never been that simple, and never should be.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:03pm

"Pop music is just that; "popular" music, with no basis in a given known musical root system."

Oh Annelle, lighten up.

You do realize that the popular music of the 20's 30's and 40's was actually the music found on Broadway, right? And then it split thereafter, with popular music being co-opted by rock and roll and theater music becoming more rarefied. Lauper's score is delightful, tuneful and works on the stage.

I paid right around $100 for my ticket and was glad I did. I had one of the best seats in the house and a massively good time.

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:09pm

SeanMartin: I puchased a full-price premium ticket for an excellent seat the first time I saw it and have a premium ticket for the next time as well. I enjoyed the show because it was fun and entertaining--not because the ticket was cheap.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:17pm

a music form which has no legit foundation except for popularity

What an ignorant, un-musical statement.

[Ejm105989]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:21pm

I'm loving the positive reviews! I loved the show so this makes me happy.

[broadfan327]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:34pm

I paid around $90 for my front of the house side orchestra seat and I don't regret the purchase at all. I enjoyed the show greatly, despite its flaws. The night before it opened audience was loving it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:06pm

NY Post is positive with three out of four stars: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/trwrewqqw_11isRzPak7NRvdrcRye7kJ

Time Out NY is positive with four out of five stars: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/kinky-boots?intcid=leader

It's also officially a NY Times Critic's Pick. And is on EW's Must List this week. Congrats to KINKY BOOTS on these notices! I had a good time at it...I hope it does well! Updated On: 4/5/13 at 01:06 PM

[massofmen]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:25pm

what is happening to the world..this show is dreck and just ...i am amazed at these reviews. Brantley made it a critic pick? are you kidding me? LOL what a joke.

[BOM]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:31pm

I paid over 100 for my ticket. To me this show just wasn't very enjoyable. This show isn't very original in my opinion. It's a generic broadway show. They played it safe. I am glad it's getting good reviews though. I never want to see a show fail.

[massofmen]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:37pm

BOM i am in complete agreement. I have no clue why these reviewers gave this a passing if not praising grade? Its a mash up of 4 other shows put together. I just..and the music is horrible! What is happening!!??! I mean a NYTIMES critics pick?!?!?!?

[eperkins]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:51pm

^ Apparently your opinion is not one shared by a lot of other people.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:55pm

'm not a big fan of this either because it seems like they are using Broadway as a means to "legitimatize" themselves after making a career in a music form which has no legit foundation...

Snobbish and ignorant comment

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 1:56pm

"I think the old farts such as myself see these pop musicals"

I would think that old farts would remember a time when composers and songs would crossover all the time. It is only since around the 70s that Broadway composers and songs have been cemented on Broadway and not seen on pop-charts as well.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:00pm

I have to agree at being astonished the show is getting such good reviews. I am happy for the cast and creatives, and wish the show well, but part of me is frustrated that critics make allowances for this show, but damn other shows with similar intent and form that, in my opinion, deserve more praise (and have more depth or, at the very least, don’t try to make the show something it isn’t).

Also quite surprised at all of the praise for Lauper. I enjoyed the score, but (as someone who easily connects emotionally to pop music), there is not one song I can remember and, for me, they all blended together. They work fine for the show, but I didn’t think were anything spectacular.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not upset that “Kinky” got great reviews, just a little confounded when comparing these reviews to reviews of other shows I thought were more worthy.

However, to each their own (that’s what all reviews are), and I am happy to see that these reviews will likely give “Kinky” that final push on the track they were already on to having a nice run.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:42pm

"She might be Tony-winner Cyndi Lauper by June. I'm not a fan of pop songwriters crossing over to musical theater, but this score intrigues me."

"JV, why?"

I think Lauper is theatrical in a way that Dolly Parton and Elton John aren't. Don't ask me why, but perhaps it's because of her eccentricities. So I think it could work. I haven't seen KINKY BOOTS yet, so aside from saying, "Hmm...I wonder", I'm not passing judgement on the score.

Also, she has Fierstein, who knows musicals pretty well, pushing her along. Who did the book to 9 TO 5? Not a pro like Harvey.

But we shall see what I think when I see the show in the coming weeks.

[BOM]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:53pm

I left this show not even humming a single song. Sorry but the score isn't good nor is it original in any way. With Billy Porters raspy voice, they could've hired any change smoker to play his part. I have nothing against gay but this show is really targeted towards them. This show will last as long as Priscilla maybe a little bit longer. Once the general public has seen this show and realize has bad it actually is the show will close. That being said, I dont want this show to close. But from what I saw this show isn't going to be a hit. I have nothing against gays but lets be honest who wants to see a bunch of cross dressers singing? No body I've ever met thats for sure. While i seem like the minority, I'm guessing that most of the critics are either gay or are women. Hey go ahead and argue with me but honestly I dont give a **** about what half of you people think. Some of you honestly have nothing better to do but put people down for not knowing everything single little thing about Broadway. I've been reading the message board for about 6 years now but never joined because of the people who think they know everything and will make fun of you for the littlest grammatical error.
Kinky Boots was bad and will always be unoriginal.

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:55pm

Okay. And?

[BOM]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:56pm

Exactly.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 2:56pm

"With Billy Porters raspy voice, they could've hired any change smoker to play his part."

Unless his voice has changed drastically over the past few years, I think comparing Billy Porter's voice to a chain smoker's isn't particularly apt.