Dancing with the Stars' Mark Ballas to star in Kinky Boots
Mark Ballas assumes the role of Charlie Price in the Tony Award-winning musical from September 11, 2018.
From dancing shoes to Kinky Boots! 2-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion Mark Ballas is set to return to Broadway, when he assumes the role of Charlie Price in the Tony Award-winning "Best Musical" Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from September 11, 2018 for a limited engagement through to November 4, 2018. "American Idol" winner David Cook will play his final performance in the role on September 9.
Mark Ballas has competed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" from season 5 to season 22 and returned to the show for season 25 in 2017. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for "Outstanding Choreography" in 2011. He made his Broadway debut as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys from October 18, 2016 to January 15, 2017 and reprised the role on the National Tour in Los Angeles from May 16 to June 24, 2017 and at The Muny this summer. His UK theatre credits include Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Copacabana, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
He commented: "I am so ready to come back to Broadway and can't wait to step into those iconic boots and be part of the Kinky Boots legacy. Kinky Boots is a heartfelt, positive, and joyous show with an even more beautiful message that we all need right now more than ever. It will be an honor to perform alongside this amazing company and get to tell this story eight times a week!"
The principal cast of Kinky Boots currently includes "American Idol" winner David Cook (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.
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 January 13, 2019.
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