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)