Callum Francis to make Broadway debut in Kinky Boots

The UK and Australia Kinky Boots star will reprise the role of Lola on Broadway from January 11 through to March 17, 2019.

UK and Australia Kinky Boots alum Callum Francis is set to make his Broadway debut, reprising the role of Lola in the Broadway production at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from January 11 through to March 17, 2019. He assumes the role from current cast member J. Harrison Ghee, who will depart the production on January 10, before returning to the role on March 19, 2019, following Mr. Francis' limited engagement.

Callum Francis is currently appearing in the UK National Tour of Kinky Boots as Lola through to December 15, 2018. He has also starred as Lola in the Australian Tour of Kinky Boots, winning the 2017 Helpmann Award for "Best Male Actor in a Musical". His West End credits include Miss Saigon, The Lion King, and Ghost.

He commented: "I am so excited and honored to be able to join the incredible Kinky Boots company on Broadway. I've been so lucky to have been able to play the fabulous 'Lola' to audiences in the UK and Australia. Broadway has always been a dream of mine and I am thankful that I get to continue to play this role that inspires love and acceptance."

As previously announced, UK pop sensation Conor Maynard will also make his Broadway debut and assume the role of Charlie Price for a limited engagement from November 20, 2018 through to January 10, 2019. Current cast member and two-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion Mark Ballas will play his final performance as Charlie Price on November 18, as scheduled.

The current principal cast of Kinky Boots includes Mark Ballas (as Charlie Price), J. Harrison Ghee (as Lola), Carrie St. Louis (as Lauren), Caroline Bowman (as Nicola), Daniel Stewart Sherman (as Don), and Marcus Neville (as George).

Kinky Boots officially opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 4, 2013, following previews from March 3. As previously announced, the Broadway production is set to play its final performance on April 7, 2019. Upon closing, the production will have played a total of 2,507 regular performances and 34 previews, making it the 25^th longest-running production in Broadway history.

Based on the 2005 British comedy movie of the same name by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, the musical features a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, with music and lyrics by Grammy & Tony Award-winning artist Cyndi Lauper and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

Synopsis: "Charlie Price is forced to step in and save his family's shoe factory in Northern England following the sudden death of his father. Help comes from the unlikeliest angel, a fabulous drag performer named Lola. Together, this improbable duo revitalizes the failing business, while stepping out from their fathers' shadows and transforming an entire community through the power of acceptance."

The creative team behind Kinky Boots features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by John Shivers.

The production was nominated for a total of 13 Tony Awards in 2013, taking home six: "Best Musical," "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical" (for Billy Porter), "Best Original Score" (for Cyndi Lauper), "Best Choreography" (for Jerry Mitchell), "Best Orchestrations" (for Stephen Oremus), and "Best Sound Design" (for John Shivers).

Kinky Boots is produced on Broadway by Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig.

Kinky Boots Tickets are available now for performances through to April 7, 2019.

^{(Photos by Darren Bell)}