Welcome Theater Friends,

Landmark Community Theatre asked me to direct Kinky Boots back in January of 2020. When I accepted the offer I had no idea the wild ride I was about to embark on. The last 21 months have changed the course of so many lives and businesses around us. Through this struggle we have seen innovation, reinvention, and a greater push to accept those around us. These are themes that resonate strongly in the show you are about to watch.

We can relate to Price & Son, a multi-generational shoe factory struggling with domestic sales due to an influx of cheaper imports available to consumers, as we have seen many businesses close when they cannot adapt. We can relate to Charlie Price, a man struggling to find his purpose, as we each struggle to find our path in life. We can relate to Lola, a drag queen living a life true to themselves while trying to get others to accept who they are, as we all want to be ourselves and be accepted. Together these problems help weave a story of acceptance, compassion, sensitivity, and the ability to adapt to a changing world. This show is a reminder that we each struggle in different ways but with a little bit of acceptance and the support of our community we can persevere through our individual and communal hardships.

It is important to add that much of the bigotry seen in the show is oversimplified and at times glossed over some of the very real problems that people can face when dealing with societal gender norms. While this show was widely seen as progressive when it was released in 2012 when looked at through a more critical eye you will find it quickly moves on from some of the more egregious actions of the main character in order to give an emotionally satisfying ending. Please keep this in mind and remember that hate and bigotry in any form should always be called out so that we can make this world a better and safer place for everyone around us.

I could not have done this show without the support of my incredible production team: John Dressel, Stephanie Varanelli-Miles, John Carter, Shane Christopher, Michael Eustace, George LaChance, and Azayda Lynt. I also want to give a special thank you to Jeff Dunn and Andrea Bingham who entrusted this show to me and have been incredibly supportive in helping me see it to the end. Community Theater could not exist without audiences like you so thank you for joining us and, as Lola likes to quote, “Be yourself because everybody else is already taken.”

Thank you,

Michael P.M. Calabrese

Director