The show that made Billy Porter a Tony Award winner and ultimately let the world see his light shine will be lead by a new star. Porter will pass the torch to Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady, who will take on the role of Lola starting November 21. Porter will play his last show on November 20 and will be moving on to create a new role in Shuffle Along with a host of other Tony Award winners, as previously announced.
Wayne Brady is no stranger to the stage he is probably best known for his role on the improv comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway? but he appeared in the hit musical Chicago as Billy Flynn back in 2004. He later played Collins in a Neil Patrick Harris directed production of RENT at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010. He also starred in a production of Kiss Me Kate at the Pasadena Playhouse last year. So, he’s pretty well equipped for the challenge that is “Lola” it seems.
“I’m thrilled to join the Kinky Boots family and unleash my inner Lola,” says Brady. “It’s the role of a lifetime! Billy and his prodigious talent have left some pretty big red boots for me to fill. Starring in a Broadway show of this caliber has been my dream since I started performing at age 16. I’m ready to jump in with both feet!”
“Wayne Brady is a wonderful triple threat. I first had the pleasure of working with Wayne on a Disney film and have been a fan ever since,” adds Kinky Boots director Jerry Mitchell said. “Like Lola, he has the sass, the voice and the heart and we cannot wait to see him strut his stuff when he joins the Kinky Boots family!”
Kinky Boots is a British film turned Broadway smash hit about Charlie Price who is the owner of a failing shoe factor. However, he soon finds that Lola, a sassy drag queen, has the answers to save his factory. It’s a wonderful musical, truly enjoyed by the whole family. This is a great role for Brady like he said, he’s got some big boots to fill. The musical score was created by Cyndi Lauper and the book by Harvey Fierstein.
Now, lets take a look back at what Wayne Brady brings to the theatre table. Listen to his rendition of “I’ll Cover You” From RENT.
