Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Billy Porter to star in "Kinky Boots" here in August
The Pittsburgh native will play the role that made him nationally famous when Pittsburgh CLO presents the hit musical in August, the CLO announced today.
Porter, who grew up in Homewood, won a Tony for playing Lola in Kinky Boots, which itself won the 2013 Tony for best musical (and four other Tonys, too). See photos of him looking fab here.
Porter in fact started his professional career at the Pittsburgh CLO. He also played roles locally for companies including City Theatre before moving on to Broadway.
Kinky Boots is currently on its national tour, with Kyle Taylor Parker as Lola; Porter is joining the touring version for one week only, during its Pittsburgh stop, before returning to Broadway.
“Billy Porter started his career at Pittsburgh CLO and to have him return to us in a role he originated and won a Tony for is a most fulfilling, full-circle moment,” said CLO exective producer Van Kaplan in a statement.
Kinky Boots is based on the true story of a struggling British shoe factory that finds a second life making footwear for drag queens. The main characters are drag queen Lola and factory heir Charlie Price.
The shoe features a score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Harvey Fierstein, and a direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.
The touring production of Kinky Boots will run Aug. 4-9 at the Benedum Center. Tickets are on sale exclusively to subscribers of Pittsburgh CLO’s 2015 Summer Season.
For more information, see www.pittsburghCLO.org.
Porter, who grew up in Homewood, won a Tony for playing Lola in Kinky Boots, which itself won the 2013 Tony for best musical (and four other Tonys, too). See photos of him looking fab here.
Porter in fact started his professional career at the Pittsburgh CLO. He also played roles locally for companies including City Theatre before moving on to Broadway.
Kinky Boots is currently on its national tour, with Kyle Taylor Parker as Lola; Porter is joining the touring version for one week only, during its Pittsburgh stop, before returning to Broadway.
“Billy Porter started his career at Pittsburgh CLO and to have him return to us in a role he originated and won a Tony for is a most fulfilling, full-circle moment,” said CLO exective producer Van Kaplan in a statement.
Kinky Boots is based on the true story of a struggling British shoe factory that finds a second life making footwear for drag queens. The main characters are drag queen Lola and factory heir Charlie Price.
The shoe features a score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Harvey Fierstein, and a direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.
The touring production of Kinky Boots will run Aug. 4-9 at the Benedum Center. Tickets are on sale exclusively to subscribers of Pittsburgh CLO’s 2015 Summer Season.
For more information, see www.pittsburghCLO.org.
Tags: Billy Porter , Kinky Boots , Pittsburgh CLO , Benedum Center
