Kinky Boots previews — Page 6

I don't see where Annaleigh Asford's character would ever have another song organically within the plot of the story. They surely milked her big number in the first act for all it's worth, and she had plenty of little moments in the book scenes throughout the rest of the show to keep her relevant, including her little moment in the finale.

Don't get me wrong- I thought she was absolutely terrific (and I usually don't,) but there's no need to make someone's part bigger at the expense of the show just because they make an impression. The essence of the show is the love story between Charlie and Lola (much like Leo and Max in THE PRODUCERS,) so to put more focus anywhere else would be disingenuous.

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Updated On: 3/23/13 at 12:49 PM

I may very well be remembering it incorrectly, but having the seen the show a few days ago, I'm fairly certain the shifts back and forth to the firing in the factory now happen throughout an extended continuation of sorts of "The Land of Lola."

Lola now performs the initial number, comes offstage and has the scene backstage in the dressing room with Charlie, and then she goes back onstage in a different costume and does a more extended version of the number (there's a bit at the beginning where Charlie is caught onstage as he leaves the club.) As the song continues, they go back and forth to showing Charlie trying to fire people at the factory on the set piece above while Lola continues the song in the club scenery below.

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Updated On: 3/23/13 at 03:17 PM

They posted three recorded songs on their Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/KinkyBootsBway/app_392701417493674

I just saw the matinee and have to agree with ClydeBarrow in his comment about the British accents. It is a shame because, though I can see why the audiences love it, the poor accents got in the way of my enjoying it. Before I go on, though, I should say that I'm positive that 98% of the audience wouldn't notice and it wouldn't bother them.
I lived in London for a couple of years but that's makes me no expert. However, even to my ear, no character was consistently from the same place. One moment Cockney, one moment Northern, then American, especially in the singing. Charlie's The Soul of a Man is a nice song but it sounded so American.
As I say, it was a shame because there were some good things about the show but I just couldn't enjoy it. The vast majority clearly did.

Updated On: 3/25/13 at 06:50 PM

Updated On: 3/24/13 at 07:32 PM

Hey Marla what do you mean by
"I don't believe there were any reviews coming out of Chicago, not any real ones, at least"

The same reviewers who encouraged The Producers and tried to disuade The Addams Family reviewed Kinky Boots. Chicago is the country 's second theatre city and its audiences and reviews line up with New York pretty closely. The Kinky Boots Chicago reviews were pretty much very good with recommendations for improvements - some raves.

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For some reason I thought only articles had been written but no major reviews on opening night - I actually had been looking on opening night and did not find anything. But doing a google search I found the Tribune one. I don't think a lot of his recommendations were taken, however. :)

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Chicago is the country 's second theatre city and its audiences and reviews line up with New York pretty closely.

Not when it came to Desire Under the Elms. Oof.

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Saw the show tonight and absolutely LOVED IT! I went in with no expectations and from what I'd read here, I wasn't sure what to expect. Every part of the show blew me away! I thought Stark Sands was wonderful as Charlie and his voice just soared! That sounds like a tough score to sing 8 times a week, but this cast pulls it off! Of course, the show is Billy Porter's from the moment he walks onstage. It was such a thrill to see him live and in such a great role! He brought the house down with every number he was in. Annaleigh Ashford cracked me up and makes the audience fall in love with her character.

I only have two things that I didn't really care for, and they've been mentioned in this thread already. POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

One is Charlie's sudden change from the kind, "we-can-do-it" leader in the first act to the angry, demanding dictator in the second act. Especially his explosion at Lola.....it just seems to come out of nowhere. Also, I don't really understand why the character of the fiancée exists, besides being an obstacle for Annaleigh's character. I feel like the story could work without her.....maybe. I just wish she had a little bit more to do. The actress who played her did very well!

The audience tonight was amazing! I don't think I've ever been to a show that had such an energetic audience! If tonight was any indicator, I think this show will be around for a while! I truly don't understand how people could find this show boring and no fun. I was smiling throughout the entire show! I'd recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat! Can't wait for the cast recording!

I saw the show this past sunday (there are some clips from that performance floating around, if you look you can find them), and I absolutely adored it. Sat front row from getting a rush ticket, and I had the most fabulous time. It is honestly one of my favorite shows I've seen this season... pure, unadulterated fun!

From what others have said, it is true that Stark has a rather unnatural angry turn at the beginning of Act II. Going in, I knew this had already been said, so I was very conscious of it. Honestly though, it really didn't bother me at all. To me, he is under pressure, stressed, and that's how the character dealt. With that being the common biggest complaint of the show, I think it is in fabulous shape. Loved the music, got chills from the ballads, and left the theatre trying to figure out the next time I could come back... so, so worth it!

I had my times mixed up and accidentally showed up 3 hours early... but, at the time I got there, I was already 10th in line.

I too went last night and the crowd was going crazy. I enjoyed all of it; the slight (to me) flaws were very easily overlooked. I was entertained from the funny "turn off your cellphones" bit just before the show started, to the last bow.

The lady sitting next to be (an out of towner) asked me before the show what the reviews were. I told her the show hadn't opened yet and was still in previews. At intermission, she turned to me and said "This show is ready to be open!!"

Oh, and if anyone is wondering - Stark Sands was in very excellent voice. No problems whatsoever.