Jonathan Studdard as Lola performs the song “Raise You Up” in a scene from Beef & Boards Dinner Theater’s production of “Kinky Boots” in Indianapolis.
These boots are made for … saving a family business?
That’s at least part of the idea in the Tony Award-winning show “Kinky Boots” being presented through March 27 at Indianapolis’ Beef & Boards Dinner Theater.
Based on true events, this big-hearted production tells the story of two people with nothing in common — or so they think. Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.
As each character shares their personal identifies of being a man, they turn the former men’s shoe factory into a fabulous stiletto-style boot company featuring kinky boots for drag queens.
The show features music by pop star Cyndi Lauper, who had to learn to write for the stage to bring the story to life.
Jacob Butler, most recently seen as Jean-Claude in “Phantom” and Young Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” stars as Charlie Price. Making his Beef & Boards debut as Lola is Jonathan Studdard. Peter Scharbrough (“A Beef & Boards Christmas,” “Newsies”) plays Don; Sarah Daniels (“Newsies,” “Hairspray,” “The Little Mermaid”) plays Lauren; Devan Mathias (“Oklahoma!”) plays Nicola; and Eddie Curry (“Phantom,” “The Sound of Music”) plays George.
Besides snagging the Tony for Best Original Score and four other Tonys, the Broadway show earned a Grammy and London’s Oliver Award for Best Musical.
Hal Lutfig, the Broadway producer for the original stage show, once reminded an interviewer that people shouldn’t be thrown by the title or the unique subject matter.
“Kinky actually means odd,” Lutfig said. “There’s nothing in this show that a family can’t see.”
This marks the first time for the production on the Beef & Boards stage.
Tickets range from $51 to $76, and include a dinner buffet. The performance schedule and tickets are available at beefandboards.com.
