Glitter, bright colors and shoes galore fill the stage at the Live Arts theater as they open their month-long run of the Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots.”
Set in England in the 1990s, the show tells the story of Price & Sons, a shoe factory which protagonist Charlie Price, played by Paulius Sinkora, is tasked with saving from bankruptcy. Upon meeting larger-than-life drag queen Lola, played by Xavier Taylor, the two devise a plan to turn the men’s shoe factory into Lola’s Kinky Boots, a manufacturer of specially designed drag heels.
Featuring a contrast of high energy dance numbers and emotional power ballads, this show is about much more than fashion. Charlie and many of the characters learn the importance of accepting those different from themselves. For Charlie, his journey to allyship is a central struggle of the story.
“The funny thing about Charlie is, despite being built as the lead and the protagonist, he's really — for a lot of the musical — not that likable, which I think is important,” Sinkora said. “As someone who has had to learn a lot and change my perspective a bit and, thankfully, come to a better and more open understanding of other people … trying to map that onto Charlie's journey has been helpful.”
Sinkora’s intentional and authentic acting matches his impressive vocals in an undoubtedly vocally demanding role. While Sinkora has dabbled in small theatrical roles before, this show marks a new journey for the actor — despite his natural talent, this is his first lead role in a musical.
“I really only ever dabbled in theater,” Sinkora said. “I'm just really thrilled that they picked me for the role of Charlie … it has really solidified for me that I absolutely love this art form.”
Sinkora’s powerful performance as Charlie works perfectly in tandem with the queen herself — Lola. Taylor is a certified triple threat, delivering emotionally charged monologues, high energy dances and showstopping vocals — all while wearing the highest of high heels.
Appearing around 15 minutes into the first act, Lola makes a grand entrance with “Land of Lola” as a chorus of her fellow drag queens sing her name in harmony. Actors Jack Scharrer, Lyra McKee, Jackson Davis and Benedict A. Burgess portray this fabulous quartet of Lola’s Angels. Lola and her entourage strut around the stage with a fierceness that lets the audience know they are in the presence of a star.
In addition to Lola’s magnetism, Lola’s Angels delivered a colorful and show stopping performance in their six-inch heels. The four drag queens appear throughout the show as her backup chorus — introducing drag to the reluctant factory workers. These performers carried the energy of the show from their first appearance on stage to their last.
Despite the glamor and talent she and her entourage exude, Lola is more than just a perfect pair of boots and a chorus of Angels behind her. The musical shows her both in and out of drag, as she challenges the confines of what it truly means to be a man.
“She is a potpourri of contradictions,” Taylor said. “She is fantastic, gorgeous, smart, witty…[she is] a drag queen, and then she's also a professionally trained boxer.”
For Taylor, exploring the complexities of Lola’s character required diving into the script and understanding the nature of these dual personas. Throughout the course of the show, as Charlie befriends Lola, the audience gets a closer look into her past. It requires dedicated work by Taylor to deliver the level of authenticity that takes his performance to the next level.
“It's my first time delving this deep into the world of drag or understanding what it is to be a drag queen and understand Lola's story,” Taylor said.
Lola’s complicated relationship with her father is explored throughout the show. Outside of drag, she is a boxer — both in and out of drag, she is constantly pushing herself to be the best.
“In some ways [she is] building up these walls to protect herself,” Taylor said.
Though the narrative centers around Lola and Charlie, the ensemble and supporting roles also provide the show with comedy and heart . Local drama teacher Liberty DeLeon delivered a quirky and lovable performance as Lauren, the female lead and a worker at Price & Son who guides Charlie through his vulnerable journey to acceptance. In “The History of Wrong Guys,” an upbeat solo in the first act, DeLeon showcases her powerhouse vocal belt and witty comedic timing, both of which persisted throughout the show.
Other featured characters included Don — played by Kirk Martini — the stubborn factory worker who at first rejects Lola but learns to “accept someone for who they truly are.” The cast also features four child actors to cover the roles of Young Lola and Young Charlie.
The ensemble, a bevy of Charlottesville actors of all ages and careers, creates a fun atmosphere onstage that draws the audience into the factory, almost as if extending a hand to invite everyone to a dance party onstage.
This heartwarming musical choice is a reflection of Live Arts’ dedication to acceptance and telling vulnerable stories through song. The community theater has put on productions for over 30 years — showcasing a wide array of Charlottesville and Central Virginia talent. Their 2023-2024 season has aptly been named the Expectations Season, with shows centering around “musical poignancy and pride.”
The charming and heartwarming production teaches the audience an important yet simple call to action, as phrased by the lyrics of Charlie and Lola’s final number, “Raise You Up/Just Be” — “you change the world when you change your mind.”
For Taylor, this message is central to the broader importance of the story. He believes anyone can connect to it, regardless of their background.
“It is really just a wonderful story about acceptance,” Taylor said. “Allowing your community to be your community and allowing people to be different and to be themselves, and then accepting and embracing and celebrating that … that's what makes your community special.”
Live Arts’ “Kinky Boots” is open now and runs through Mar. 10. Tickets can be found on the Live Arts website.
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