With show dates approaching, the Ferris theatre department is hard at work putting together their performance of the Broadway show “Kinky Boots.”
The show is about a boy named Charlie Price who ends up inheriting his father’s shoe factory, which just so happens to be the last thing he wants to do. The shoe factory has been in his family for generations and is now facing major bankruptcy. When Charlie comes across a famous drag queen who goes by the name Lola, he is quickly convinced that the only way to save the shoe factory from bankruptcy is by making boots for drag queens. With Lola and the rest of the factory’s help, Charlie might just be able to save his father’s dream. The show has an all-around good message and a good mix of comedy to go with it.
“The show tells people that they can do whatever the heck they want with their lives and be happy,” pre-optometry freshman Lydia Mervar said.
The cast includes a wide variety of students, and they work incredibly well together. There is so much that goes into a show that doesn’t cross the mind of a typical audience member who is inexperienced in theatre. An example of this is the props and set pieces, which need to be moved throughout a show, both on stage and off, and placed in specific spots in order to for the actors to perform the next scene properly. This entire process requires teamwork and communication, but with a cast like this, the process goes smoothly.
To put together a show in a matter of months, however, is a challenge.
“The biggest struggle [is] scheduling,” marketing freshman Tegan Rosas said.
Being part of a show like “Kinky Boots,” or any show in general, is a huge time commitment. Usually the cast has three hour practices Monday through Thursday each week. Even with such long practices, the cast has continued to put their all into this show.
“All of these people are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts and the craziness of their brains,” Katherine A. LaPietra, Ferris’ area coordinator of directing and acting, said.
Ferris’ theatre department is very excited to put on “Kinky Boots” this fall. Rights to the script have just recently been released, which only adds to the excitement.
This show is different from previous shows that Ferris has put on.
“What differs is the type of music,” Courtney Keirsey, the show’s music director, said.
Keirsey has seen the dedication of this cast, especially when it comes to vocals. Every actor has strong solo vocals, which makes for even stronger group numbers.
All of the cast members and directors are so excited to put on the show next week. They have definitely worked hard, and they will continue to polish the show even during show week.
With such a meaningful message and lots of comedy and great scenes, “Kinky Boots” is certainly a show to add to the calendar. The show’s opening night is Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. It plays throughout the weekend, ending that Sunday with a matinee at 2:30 p.m.