Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots
August 18 - August 27, 2023
McGrath Family Performing Arts Center
1100 Laramie Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical. Kinky Boots features a joyous, Tony-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein.

SHOW DATES & TIMES

  • August 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 PM
  • August 20, 26 and 27 at 2:00 PM
  • Performances are at the brand new venue - McGrath Family Center for Performing Arts (1100 Laramie Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091)
  • Appropriate for children ages 10 and above

ONLINE, PHONE OR AT THE DOOR


Highland Park Players is pleased to partner with Eventbrite to offer you easy ways to purchase tickets with reserved seating.

For tickets by phone, call our Box Office at 224-212-0477 with your name, phone, date of performance, and number of tickets and someone will return your call.  All calls must be made at least 24 hours in advance of performance.  Tickets can be purchased at the door to all performances that are not sold out.

Free parking is available. Venue is accessible. Accessible parking is available in the lot adjacent to the theater entrance. Wheelchair, transfer, and companion seats available on the main floor and balcony.

Auditions will be held Tuesday May 2 and Thursday May 4 (6:30pm-9pm). Audition appointments are recommended but walk-ins are also welcome. Callbacks are by invitation only on Tuesday May 9th and Wednesday May 10th (if needed) in the evening. Auditions and callbacks will be held at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road in Highland Park. If you are out of town and want to arrange a video audition, please contact us at HPPkinkyboots@gmail.com and select waitlist for a virtual audition slot.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

  • Rehearsals are most Sunday - Thursday evenings at locations in/near Highland Park and Wilmette starting June 11
  • Tech week rehearsals: August 12-17

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR YOUR AUDITION:

ALL AUDITIONERS

  • Prepare 32 bars of a pop/rock song or show tune that demonstrates your range and vocal ability. Please bring piano sheet music in your key
  • Singing from the show is permitted
  • You may be asked to read from the script

ACTING ROLES

All roles are available.  We are looking for a diverse cast.  Individuals of all ethnicities, gender identities, physical abilities, and body types are encouraged to audition. 

  • CHARLIE PRICE — 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. He is privileged, but likable — his father owns the shoe factory. He is loveable but there is a temper right under the skin. Must have a great rock voice, the ability to move, and be a strong actor. 
  • LOLA/ SIMON —  30s-40s. Black/African-American.  A fiery diva presence with underlying soul and heart, she is ostentatious, over the top, and more real than most. Lola is both fabulous and vulnerable. Must have a killer voice with powerful blues and gospel chops. Strong comedic actor. 
  • YOUNG CHARLIE — Stage age 8-13. This is our lead as a young boy. Lost, quiet, reflective. He performs in the opening and closing sequences.
  • YOUNG LOLA/ SIMON — Stage age 8-13. This is LOLA as a young boy who already knows he's destined to wear high heels.
  • NICOLA— 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. Charlie’s girlfriend since school. She is sophisticated, a social climber, driven, and uncompromising. She knows what she wants and goes for it. Must have a great pop voice. 
  • LAUREN — 20s-30s Any ethnicity.  A charming, quirky working-class girl who works in the shoe factory. Funny and smart but has had bad luck with men. Terrific comedic actress. 
  • DON — 30s-40s. Any ethnicity.  Lola’s nemesis.  Hyper-masculine bear of a factory worker.  Has a menacing physicality. Least likely to be seen on a runway in kinky boots.  Strong actor required
  • THE ANGELS — Any ethnicity.  These are the drag performers from The Blue Angel Nightclub who perform with Lola. Actors with star quality and diverse personalities and looks. Must be versatile and terrific singers and dancers (required to dance in heels). This ain't a job for no wall-flowers.
  • PAT — 30s. Any ethnicity.  Officious office manager who will let loose her wild side when allowed.
  • TRISH — 40s-50s. Any ethnicity.  Factory worker who has been there longer than any of the other women. A lot of life experience and a lot of responsibility–this shows in her face. Must have comedy chops. 
  • GEORGE — 40s-50s. Any ethnicity.  Factory Manager, keeping up traditions. Reserved and tightly wound. 
  • MR. PRICE — 40s-50s. Any ethnicity.  Charlie’s father and owner of the shoe factory. Will also appear in the ensemble. 
  • HARRY — 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.  A contemporary of Charlie’s, but his opposite. Harry is successful, self-aware, confident, and carefree. Will also appear in the ensemble. 
  • ENSEMBLE – 20’s–50’s. Any ethnicity and gender-identity.  The ensemble must be excellent pop/rock singers. They will portray roles such as Simon Sr., Richard Bailey, factory workers, pub patrons, etc. should look like real, everyday people and be able to move well.  

The Highland Park Players is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender, identities, sexualities and abilities to audition.

Production Staff

Producer - Bradley A. Rose

Producer - Scott Schwartz

Producer - Whitney Langas

Producer - Bianca Rose

Director - Connor Giles

Music Director - T.J. Anderson

Choreographer - Jenna Schoppe

Marketing / PR - Holly Weis

Stage Manager / Light Board Operator - Scott Spector

Assistant Stage Manager - Edie Schwartz

Costume Designer - Martha Shuford, Raymond Mindas

Wig Design - Roberto Puig

Makeup Design - Sydney Genco

Lighting Designer - Alec Kinatowski

Set Designer - Lauren Nichols

Associate Set Designer - Abbie Reid

Set Painter - Emily Horvath

Sound Design/Operation - Matt Leske

Set Builder - Manny Ortiz

Props - Carol Lee Wax, Naomi Hershman

Crew - Alex Arey, Macie Weinberger

Dialect Coach - Leslie Hull

Cast Members

Lola - TikTok and Instagram sensation Anania Williams

Charlie - Ben Frankart

Lauren - Hannah Kipp

Nicola - Jill Iverson

Don - Joshua Hoffman

Trish - Hannah Rose

Pat - Dominique Ruffalo

George - Peter Rasey

Angels - Will Ehrlich, Jonathan Gembarski, Corey Mills, Ogunde Tremayne and Carter Wright

Ensemble - David Aul (Young Charlie), Michael Barker, Ariana Cappuccitti (Dance Captain), Sydney Cowie, Elizabeth Dempsey, Emily Durham, Rob Fenton, Sydney Hendrix, Campbell Hinsley (Young Lola), Raymond Mindas (Mr. Price/Ensemble) and Parker Stancato (Harry/Ensemble)

Images and Media

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