According to Emmy winner Wayne Brady, playing characters that are far removed from who he is as a person is EXACTLY why he wanted to become an actor. The star, who most recently was seen on television’s improv comedy show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” took over the pivotal role of ‘Lola’ in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots, November 21. Says Brady:
You don’t get into this business to be you,” he says. “I got into show business because I wanted to dress up as an old man on a park bench. I wanted to be an action hero. I wanted to be the drug dealer. I wanted to be a knight. I wanted to be Robin Hood. I wanted to be whatever else besides Wayne. So playing Lola is as far from Wayne as I could possibly be. A British drag queen who was an amateur boxer? Bingo.
Kinky Boots was deemed “The hottest musical on Broadway” by the New York Times. According to the website,
Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his father’s shoe factory. Looking to save the family business, Charlie turns to a fabulously fashionable new friend — cabaret star Lola— who gives him an outrageous idea that could change both of their destinies.
That outrageous idea is to make women’s shoes for men, which propels the business to success. Brady previously tried out for the role but lost out to Billy Porter. Porter recently left the production to join the cast of Shuffle Along. When the opportunity came back around, Brady jumped at the chance. Of the character, Brady says,
Lola is a very charming, lovely, feisty person who is really just this very deeply hurt, flawed individual,” Brady says. “I think I can bring a warmth to Lola that will be funny and bring all the comedy to it, and then when it’s time to turn on a dime, then that’ll help that.
In preparation for the role, Brady told CBS news,
I’m buying a pair of … heels … because I have enough time right now that I can actually walk around my house and dance around. I don’t want to show up for rehearsals in November and just learn to put on heels.
While he has only been in the role for a few days, his enthusiasm and appreciation for the role are sure to help make sure he shines.
What weekend! @WayneBrady blew the roof off of the Al Hirschfeld! Who is coming to see him strut this week? 💖 pic.twitter.com/RhaxLNniIe
— Kinky Boots the Musical (@KinkyBootsBway) November 23, 2015
Kinky Boots is currently running at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and tickets can be purchased HERE. Let us know what you think of Brady as Lola in Kinky Boots!
