Celebrating collaboration and identity with WMU Theatre's Kinky Boots

Theatre crosses generations. It brings in the young and old; gay and straight; conservative and liberal and gives them common ground. It is unifying. That is exactly what Berkow hopes Kinky Boots will do at WMU. 

“I’m hoping – in the process of a 2 hour and 15-minute musical comedy about drag queens helping to design shoes – people will change,” Berkow expressed.  

Kinky Boots is a pop/rock dramedy musical about a shoe factory. After inheriting his family's failing shoe factory, Charlie makes a last-ditch effort to save the factory by partnering with Lola, a charismatic drag queen. Together they develop a line of sturdy, fabulous heels for drag performers.

Rehearsals began with a four-day intensive of seven-hour days. They broke the show into parts learning the music, choreography, and blocking. Just four weeks into the process Berkow was impressed: “The leads are nailing it; they’re so in it!” 

Kinky Boots is physically relentless, especially for Reed and the Angels who rehearse in 6-inch heels every day. “This is one of the most physically, mentally, emotionally taxing shows I’ve ever done,” Reed said.  

To tackle this challenge, Reed is meticulous about his preparation. From the moment Reed wakes up in the morning, he prepares for his performance at night. This includes tracking hydration throughout the day and drinking additional electrolytes; creating and consuming playlists to get him in the zone; doing EFT (emotional freedom technique) exercises to ground himself; comprehensive vocal warmups that address every part of his register; and extensive foot/leg workout and stretches to prepare his body for a show.  

“[I am] more mindful of my body so I can make sure I’m good every single night,” Reed said, “whether that’s for rehearsal or for a show.” 

 At the four-week mark for rehearsals, Berkow noticed something was missing. The production was clean, but it didn’t feel alive. 

“It was missing the fun and enjoyment of everyone being supportive and screaming and giving them dollars,” he said referencing classic drag shows.  

Then, five weeks in, something ignited in the cast. It finally clicked.  

Berkow described this as a “kinetic energy”; a flow of excitement; a conversation of energy between cast members. Production numbers became a partnership between drag queens and factory workers instead of performers and bystanders. 

“We started really cranking up that connection,” Berkow smiled, “and every single musical number jumped.”  

Kinky Boots also has embraced student creativity through student designers, directors, choreographers, and performers.  

“This was my first time choreographing a full musical,” co-choreographer Alyssa Hyska said. “It was a daunting task [...] the cast embraced both Gabby (co-choreographer) and I with enthusiasm making teaching and cleaning a breeze.” 

Hyska was partnered with Grand Rapids-based drag performer Misael DeJesus – also known as Gabriella Galore – to create the high energy dance numbers the show requires.  

• Read more about Gabby Galore here.  

And while many parts of the show are choreographed and blocked, there is also freedom for performers to play and explore character. 

“They respect what I do, and they trust what I do. I have a lot of creative liberty,” said Reed. 

This collaboration has helped create a dynamic and interesting story. While, yes, the show is flashy, it also captures the complexity of human nature. 

 “Haakan has found a lovely place for the character [Charlie] to live where he’s likeable,” Berkow compliments. “The things he needs to learn to be a better person, you’re rooting for him to learn it. I think that’s special.” 

And that’s what makes this production unique. It has an inherent sense of community and relationship because the students themselves have community and relationships. 

“We have a strong ensemble and a really strong company,” Reed said. “We know how to make people feel things.” 

In moments when isolation seems like a fact of life, Kinky Boots is there to remind you that there are always people ready to love and support you. It is a high energy show about friendship, collaboration, and acceptance. A message Berkow believes his audience needs to hear. 

“The more isolated we are as a culture and society, the more we are going to gravitate towards live experiences where you can have an emotional connection with other people in the room with you,” Berkow described. 

WMU Theatre will perform Kinky Boots Oct 30 through Nov 15; tickets are available online at wmutheatre.ludus.com and at the box office Tuesday through Friday 1-5pm.