Give the Boot(s) to critics and let the show go on!
Thousands of Fairfax residents are looking forward to seeing an amazing student musical at West Potomac High School (buy tickets here) about allyship and finding common ground with people who have different ideas and come from wildly different backgrounds.
Meanwhile, a teeny-tiny group of parents are freaking out that Kinky Boots is somehow deviant or “sexual.” I don’t want to give their complaints air because they are so nonsensical, but unfortunately far right publications are giving these people and their wild conspiracy theories publicity they do not deserve.
These publication authors are not talking or listening to the students, teachers, administrators, and parents who have worked months on this production Kinky Boots and who know its value. They aren’t talking to families, grandparents, and citizens who are looking forward to this production, and who enjoyed the more raucous and risque version of this musical production on Broadway or the 2005 British movie (from the same folks who brought us the Full Monty).
(Wait a second…how old am I to just learn that Chiwetel Ejiofor, lead actor from Amistad and 12 Years a Slave, played Lola!)
Well, listen to the student reporters at The Wire who are reporting on this wonderful show: “The musical follows the story of a shoe factory owner, Charlie Price, who seeks out the assistance of a drag queen named Lola to produce high-heeled boots in order to save his struggling business.”
“In the show, you’ll notice that the characters start out really divided… towards the end they all come together in a really beautiful way....This is really a story about acceptance and community.” -- Mr. Omar Cruz, West Potomac theater teacher
Kinky Boots evening shows run at 7 pm Friday 4/26-4/27 and Thursday 5/3-5/4 with two 1 pm Saturday matinees (4/27 and 5/4). There are special events planned for the matinees: April 27th, a discussion with FCPS Pride about the history of drag has been planned to take place in the Auditorium after the show and on May 4th at 12 pm, a family-friendly drag brunch will be held in the Kogelman Theatre (details here).
Student reporters at The Wire also reported on a bomb threat that forced everyone out of the school for hours on Wednesday of this week. I have heard no official news that this bomb threat is connected to fringe anger about the Kinky Boots production run by West Potomac students, parents, and teachers; however, it is hard not to think that they are connected when they occurred on the same day as the Daily Signal story with this title. (UPDATE: Opening night, originally 4/25, has been postponed until Friday 4/26. Also, the bomb threat this week was not related to the show.)
In fact, I have heard that some at West Potomac High School have suggested canceling some Kinky Boots events or shows. I’ve also heard that Mount Vernon School Board member Mateo Dunne stepped in to advocate for the show to go on. (Many thanks, Mr. Dunne!)
I am sorry to see people attacking students, the arts, and our first amendment rights. As a parent, education advocate, and co-leader of FCPS Pride, I plan to attend this play and the drag brunch. To be honest, I’m not really an aficionado of drag performance; however, I would like to learn more about this art form and its history to hopefully expand my horizons. I appreciate having my preconceptions challenged, which enables me to grow and be a more compassionate member of our Fairfax community.
Please consider joining us and attending West Potomac High School’s age-appropriate version of Kinky Boots. See the students sing, dance, and act while they teach us about allyship and finding commonality among our differences. Don't forget that music and lyrics are by Cindy Lauper! You can purchase tickets here.
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