As we continue our Pride Month celebration and gear up for the International Thespian Festival (ITF), let's take a look at another MTI title that broke barriers for LGBTQ+ representation on Broadway: Kinky Boots.

Based on the 2005 film of the same name and adapted for the stage by Harvey Fierstein with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots debuted on Broadway in 2013 to critical and popular acclaim. The show won six Tony Awards, including Best New Musical and Best Original Score (the first solo win by a woman in that category). Since then, Kinky Boots has had a glorious life with multiple tours, a bow on the West End, and hundreds of productions around the world.

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 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 discovers that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world.

After performing Kinky Boots in the winter of 2023, Denver School of the Arts Troupe 5869 (Denver, CO) will have an encore performance at ITF. Before they bring the "Land of Lola" to the Main Stage (along with five other MTI titles),we asked a few cast members about their experience with Kinky Boots and its impact on them. Their responses were deeply moving, and we can't wait to see them perform at Thespians!

Some responses have been edited for length.

Why do you think this show is important for today's audiences?

"This show is all about accepting yourself and each other, not necessarily in spite of our differences and imperfections but because of them. Every time the audience leaves, they feel energized and inspired to be more inclusive and make less assumptions. I particularly find Kinky Boots important because a show advocating for fair treatment doesn't necessarily have to crush your soul. In fact, sometimes making people feel confident and supported, like Don in his bet with Lola after she loses to him in a boxing match to allow him to keep his dignity, helps them accept others for who they are. With cancel culture and echo chambers created by social media, the world is evermore polarized on every issue, but shows like this preach compassion in an uplifting way, which is why it's so important for today's audiences. This show has taught me that even when I face adversity, I have to take the high road and help others learn to accept themselves because let's be real, it's almost always more about yourself than the person you're taking it out on."

- Kayla McPherson, Ensemble

Is there anything you learned in performing this show about the LGBTQ community or yourself you didn't know before?

"On one hand, coming out to my school was very challenging, because I was afraid and have had bad experiences with horrific protests against youth drag performances in Denver. But I learned that both the LGBTQ community and the allies in my school were ready to cheer me on. When I got up on that stage in my wig and my boots, I felt the truest version of myself, and I am so thankful that this version was accepted by my school. The Denver LGBTQ drag community has seen a lot of hatred. I believe it is very important that our school is doing this performance because I have seen such pushback from my world when kids are in drag. It is very empowering to take a show like this to Nationals [ITF], where kids are performing in drag to show that drag is not a crime, and show that young kids performing in drag is not wrong. It is incredible to see my DSA community learn so much more about drag and its roots in Denver, Colorado."

- Gabriel Warner, Ensemble/Drag Queen in Bar/Angel US

What number in the show was the most empowering for you?

"The number that was most empowering for me, was "Hold Me In Your Heart". At this moment in the musical, Lola has just gone back to the nursing home and is now singing for her father who is now suffering with health issues. I remember sitting in the wings listening to these lyrics, and really learning the value and life lesson of forgiveness. How Lola was able to forgive her father ... is remarkable, and I hold so much respect for that character. The lyrics that stood out to me the most was "I know that I hurt you, and you hurt me too, but you mean more to me, I must mean more to you" How even though they were able to hurt each other, the two of them are still able to realize how much they mean to each other."

- Isaac Dechtman, Angel

If there is one thing you want audiences to take away from this show, what would it be?

"One thing I would want audiences to take away from this show is the phrase "Just Be". In a world with so much judgment, we have to be able to be secure in ourselves to live our life comfortably. This show gives a strong sense of acceptance and understanding of one another and being their authentic self. This is a lesson that needs to be taught or heard for all. Being able to accept ourselves and someone who is different than ourselves is a strong trait to carry on through life for everyone. This is what I would take away from this show."

- Neko Daniels, Lola/Simon

Photo by Alicia Bush