The countdown is on to the hottest production of the year – the eagerly awaited South African premiere of the multiple Tony award-winning musical Kinky Boots. Presented by Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre, a brand new, original production of this huge-hearted, smash-hit musical will run at The Fugard Theatre from 11 June 2019.
Creating the role of shoe factory owner Charlie Price is Darren Craig (Grease, High School Musical), with Earl Gregory (Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) stepping in to the role of drag queen Lola. Namisa Mdlalose (The Color Purple, King Kong) is Lauren, Amy Campbell (Tiger Bay, SA’s Got Talent) is Charlie’s girlfriend Nicola and Nathan Ro (Lonehill Estate, Project Fame) is Don.
Joining them on stage are Stephan van Huyssteen (Rock of Ages, Big Top Rock) as Harry, Lucy Tops (Shakespeare in Love, Funny Girl) as Pat, Lindy Abromowitz (Offbeat Broadway, Stepping Out) as Trish, Ralph Lawson (A Voice I Cannot Silence, Amadeus) as George, and Glenn Swart (Immortal, Show Boat) as Mr Price.
Tshepo Ncokoane (Snow White, Priscilla, Queen of The Desert) is the Lola Alternate, and he joins Phillip Schnetler (Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, Annie), Chester Martinez (Rockville 2069 The Musical, Ikapa Dance Company), and Emile Doubell (The Rocky Horror Show, Footloose) as the Angels at The Blue Angel Nightclub.
Also performing in the ensemble are Shaleeni Ranchhod (Footloose, Mamma Mia), Catherine Isaacs (Antony and Cleopatra, Shattered), Shelley Lothian (Cabaret, Show Boat), Julio Jantjies (Langarm, West Side Story), Nathan Muller (Langarm, The Full Monty), Dean de Klerk (Gardening and Other Distractions, Ordinary Days), and Lee van der Merwe (West Side Story, Immortal).
The role of Young Charlie will be shared by Alexander Wallace (10), Daniel Wolson (12) and Finn Newham Blake (11) while Young Lola will be performed alternately by Seth Ellis (13), Oswald Pieterse (12) and Travis Turner (9).
Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots was first brought to life on the big screen in 2005 before being transformed into a hit musical, winning six Tony and three Olivier Awards.
Kinky Boots features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Tony Award for Best Original Score, Tony Award for Best Choreography and Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Kinky Boots has played to sold out houses on Broadway and in the West End since 2013. This mega-hit is a must see for all Musical Theatre fans.
‘I’m so excited to bring Kinky Boots and its message of love and acceptance to South Africa, especially as it celebrates 25 years of Democracy. Audiences around the world have embraced the show, and I can’t wait for South Africa to experience the joy that Kinky Boots brings to people!’ – Cyndi Lauper.
THE STORY: Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, Price & Son, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible, and discover that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.
The Fugard Theatre’s Kinky Boots is brought to you by the same creative team behind The Fugard Theatre productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl and West Side Story. Direction is by Matthew Wild, Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Choreography by Louisa Talbot. Costume design is by Birrie Le Roux, Set Design by Paul Wills and Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell. Sound Design is by Mark Malherbe.
‘We are honoured to be presenting the South African premiere of this Tony award-winning, feel-good musical,’ says Daniel Galloway, Managing Director of The Fugard Theatre. ‘Kinky Boots is a beautiful story of hope, friendship and inspiration that highlights we are not as different to each other as we think. Add in the fabulous music, glittering costumes and breathtaking choreography, this is an unmissable night of fun!’
This production has a recommended age restriction of no under 10 year olds.
Kinky Boots will be performed at The Fugard Theatre from 11 June 2019 on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 20:00 with a matinee performance on Saturdays at 15:00. Sunday Matinees at 15:00 will become available from Sunday 30 June 2019. Tickets starting from R160 can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com
There is a 20% discount available for all Friends of The Fugard members (on certain performance days); a 15% discount for pensioners and 10% discount for students and block bookings. These discounts do not apply for performances between 11 to 25 June 2019. These discounted tickets can be booked through The Fugard Theatre box office only and are available for performances from 27 June 2019 onwards.
Beat the rush and order your pre-show drinks online when purchasing tickets at www.thefugard.com
Visit the cosy ground-floor bar for a before and after show drink and delicious snacks. If the weather plays along, enjoy the panoramic city views from The Fugard Theatre’s fantastic rooftop bar. There is secure parking available for a small fee directly opposite The Fugard Theatre in Harrington Square.
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