Up next in 10
BWW Flashback: Look Back at KINKY BOOTS Opening Night!
2K views
Oct 30, 2022
Everybody say yeah! We're celebrating the birthday of Broadway's original Charlie Price, Stark Sands, by looking back at his opening night in Broadway's Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots. Check out the video to see Stark alongside his co-stars Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, and more as they raised audiences up at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World
0:03
The new musical Kinky Boots, which features a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Firestein
0:08
and a score by Grammy Award winner Cindy Lopper has come to Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theater
0:13
It is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell and stars Billy Porter and Stark Sands
0:19
and we're here on opening night to celebrate with the company. If you're glitter, let me raise you up
0:34
And you'll raise you up. Raise you like you lift the dust that you raise you up
0:42
With your bubble glass, let me raise you up. If you glitter, us, let me raise you up
0:50
And don't. What has it been like working on this show? What does it mean personally to you, Jared? Incredible
0:57
I mean, working with Harvey and Sen has been, it's the easy. this collaboration ever
1:02
The cast, I think, is sensational. All of them. Every single person, I'm really proud of the cast of who they are and who I picked
1:11
or who we picked, but what they've brought to the story. And I love this story
1:18
I think it's an amazing story, and I think it's very important for what's happening right now
1:22
So when you were first approached to do this, what was it that sold you on this
1:26
It was the story between Lola and Charlie. and they're coming from two opposite ends of the spectrum
1:35
and both being exactly in the same place, failures in their father's eyes
1:40
How can that resolve itself? That was what was exciting about it to me
1:45
And you have quite a history with many of the cast members, particularly Billy Porter
1:49
Billy and I go back to when he was 19. He was in Greece for me
1:53
He's been Broadway Bears for me. Stark, I don't know this first time
1:58
but I knew I wanted him. Anna Lee was in my original Margo and Legally Blonde
2:03
Paul, Charlie were in La Caj for me. Charlie was in Catch Me
2:08
Yeah, a lot of the kids I've used many times. Marcus was in the Fulmonte for me
2:13
Danny was in the Fulmonte for me. You know, we talked before you went to Chicago
2:17
and I said, what was the first number you put together, and what was the last production number you worked on
2:21
So for New York, what was the last production number you worked on? The last thing we worked on was the reprise of Land of Loew
2:29
which now doesn't end and takes us into the scene. There was a sword box moment there for a second number, and I just cut it
2:38
It just wasn't, it wasn't, it wasn't, it didn't matter. Got rid of it, got to the scene, the importance of the scenes and the story
2:46
kept the story going. That was the last thing I did. Did that a week before we opened
2:51
I think really the first thing that I kind of accomplished, I don't know if it was everybody say yeah, and it was the finale
2:58
Those pieces were pretty much in place before we started. So what was it like for you tonight, going on stage, taking a bow at the end
3:05
What were you thinking? I look at all of the pieces. It's not just me, but it's all the people who are here to cheer you on
3:12
Everyone has friends and family in the audience. The backstage crew at the theater, they're incredible
3:17
Those guys, you know, I'm the only director who didn't do a 10 out of 12 in a Broadway musical
3:23
I sent everybody home at 9 o'clock because the tech crew was so on it
3:27
We teched this show in three days. Three days. You're a master
3:33
Well, I don't know. I mean, I kind of knew what I was doing, yes
3:37
and I kind of planned it that it wasn't going to be a big automation show, but I've never done that in any musical in 30 years
3:45
I mean, it was really, it was sensational, and the crew had a lot to do with that. They were on it
3:49
So it's opening night, how do you feel tonight? Broadway, you finally got it to Broadway this show
3:53
Tell me. Finally, it's wonderful, you know, it's sad, though. I mean, I was really kind of sad
4:00
Because, you know, you spent a lot of time with these people. You know, I would speak to Cindy every day
4:04
I'd speak to Jerry every day. I'd see them all the time. We went to Chicago together
4:09
We ate together a lot. You know, now it's going to slowly
4:13
I mean, Cindy and Jerry and I, obviously, have been friends for a hundred years. But Cindy and I will only speak maybe once or twice a week now
4:21
And, you know, it gets a little sad. No, because, I mean, when I say you finally got to Broadway
4:26
it's like, you have this great church. of rehearsing, they're going out of town and rehearsing again
4:30
Then this is the big night. This is the big night, but it's like watching your kid graduate
4:33
and then the kid graduates, and you've got to let the kid go live its life, you know
4:38
which is wonderful and sad, but wonderful what it does to audiences
4:42
I mean, you saw what it does to audiences. It's terrific, so. And this remarkable cast
4:48
I love them. I mean, you just love them. They just make you happy
4:52
They're all such professionals. They do it full out every time, and they're just great
4:57
But how proud you must be of Billy Porter, knowing him all these years and what you've given him his role
5:03
It's, you know, it's a really personal journey for him very much so
5:07
You know, as he says, he had to give up first. And in order for this to come to him, his feeling he had to say no more garbage and no more wasting my time
5:19
And then it came to him. So, you know, it's wonderful. I know how that feels
5:24
Stark's hands. Well, Stark, you know, Stark. That smile of his is worth a million dollars
5:29
You know, he looks out at the audience with those big blue eyes and you just want to run up and take care of him
5:34
And it's just a lovely thing. So what's been the best part of the whole experience for you, Harvey
5:39
Is it the collaboration? It always is. It's always the collaboration. I mean, not just between Cindy and me or Jerry and me or Steve or Remus
5:49
or even the actors. It's that feeling of, you know, it sounds silly
5:57
maybe, but I can walk down the street and see my name on a marquee, and I still
6:01
say, that's my name. That's my name. To me, just to be part of this community
6:07
still blows me away. It's my 11th Broadway show, and it still
6:13
blows me away, just to be part of this community. So, I love
6:17
the Broadway community. I mean, I know it's a job. I know it's a business
6:22
And yet, to me, it's really a religion. It's to me, that's what it is. It's really
6:27
an active face. Tell me what it's been like collaborating on this
6:31
This show is all about collaboration. Talk about working with Jerry Mitchell and talk about working with Harvey, please
6:36
Well, it's been an honor to work with both of them. They are my friends I knew them from a long time ago And when Harvey called me up and said do you want to do it Of course I did I mean it Harvey It a great storyteller A really great storyteller
6:54
So, you know, it was, it was great. I mean, it was a long process. But you know what
7:03
The story is a good story. It's based on a true story
7:07
It's about people thinking outside the box and saving jobs. In this day and age, that's something that maybe people ought to talk about
7:16
It's a story about accepting people and for who they are, you know, and getting over yourself
7:24
and tolerance and working together. You know, you have to overcome your differences and work together for the greater good
7:34
And that's in this play too. So to me, that's worth four and a half years
7:40
working with Jerry Mitchell, what that's been like for you. You've known each other for a while
7:44
He's wonderful. To watch him actually work, he's a force. You'll see, you've seen, you saw it
7:53
It's so great with what he does and how he sees things
7:59
And I know it's very theater, but to me sometimes it looks very filmic. You know, so I think it's really great
8:05
Stephen Aramis means so much to him. His work is amazing on this
8:09
Stephen and I worked really closely together. We collaborated on a lot
8:15
And I feel like, and we're still doing it. We're going to studio all the time now, making the record
8:22
But he's a wonderful, wonderful orchestrator. He's a great musician. Also understands about storytelling
8:30
Really, really gifted. Very honored to work with him and collaborate with him, really truly
8:36
But it's a bigger collaboration. even than that. There are so many people involved
8:43
It's like the biggest band I've ever been in. And this incredible cast
8:47
They're wonderful. And they're happy. They're happy when they're singing, you know
8:53
You used to think you are from outer space. Who's a bright guy in your place
9:01
You're kind of cute when you're not so shy. But I've been here before
9:10
Have I come back for more Another chapter in the history of wrong guys
9:15
You used to be so I I lent that cluster more But now you're changing and it's up
9:21
I just can't ignore Charlie Honest play I've been heard
9:32
I kiss me Is there really more to you than what I always thought
9:45
How can you surprise me anymore? Oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa
9:57
So what has you been like working on this, the whole experience? You know, I've been working on this show for just over two years
10:03
And I, during the curtain call, I just, I was fighting back tears on how proud I am of the piece
10:09
and how proud I am of the heartbeat that this show has and that it really reaches the back row of that house
10:14
And, you know, if we can change one mind at a time, then we've done our job
10:17
And that's what the theater's about. That's the message of this show, isn't it? Yeah, I believe that the message of this show is really, if you can change your mind, you can change the world
10:26
And all of us on stage believe that, and I feel like you feel it out there in the house. Talk about this great role that you get to play
10:32
Oh, I love Longer. Lauren. She's a rough and tumble, blue-collar girl trying to make it happen. And, you know, she's an
10:40
opportunity to share with Charlie that, you know, there's another option, and she helps him save the factory
10:45
And in the midst of that, she grows as a woman. She falls in love, even though he doesn't know it
10:51
And she's just full of heart with eyes wide open, ready to help save her factory and save her town
10:59
And talk about working with the cast. Oh, this cast is full of..
11:03
magical Broadway veterans and also some, we had some people have their Broadway debuts tonight
11:09
which was incredible, but I feel like, you know, they may be new to Broadway, but they are not new to the theater
11:14
This is a group of people that every single person on that stage could carry their own show
11:18
and they're all brilliant, beautiful actors. We're just so lucky to be with each other. We're a real family
11:23
And, of course, you're two leading men. Oh, they're magic. You know, I get to sit backstage and watch Billy and Stark both do their big numbers every night
11:30
It's such a gift. It's one of the best parts of my show in the night
11:35
And working with this creative team. Well, Jerry Mitchell gave me my Broadway debut and Legally Blonde
11:41
so I owe him eternally. He's been such an important, like, person in my life and in my career
11:49
And then Harvey is a brilliant comedic genius and also has written such a beautiful script with a heart
11:56
And then Cindy Lopper is Cindy Lopper. She's a fierce pop icon and a brilliant musician songwriter
12:01
I mean, it doesn't get better than this. Tell me what it's been like working on this show. It's been easy
12:07
It's been really easy because Jerry Mitchell really knows how to talk to his actors
12:12
And he always made me feel so comfortable and at ease and was always so willing to kind of, I don't know
12:20
he was just really good at telling me what he wanted. And it made it so easy
12:24
There was no confusion, no anything like that. Harvey is a doll
12:28
We know that. Harvey is just like, like my grandmother and then and Cindy Lopper is just a you know phenomena so it's like you know to have to work
12:38
with an idol and then to work with Jerry Mitchell and to work with Harvey Firestein it's like it's like a
12:42
dream so it was so easy and fun about the role you get to play oh I play I play I play Nicola I get to play
12:49
the one everyone hates which is kind of amazing because I get to wear the best clothes and the best
12:55
shoes but I mean you know for me the the role is actually more personal to me
13:03
than a lot of other people would think. I'm not that horrible, but
13:07
there is her side of the story, and I do love to tell her story as much as I can
13:14
It's not about Nicola. It's not the Nicola show, so you only get little bits and pieces, but I'm happy to be there
13:19
and support everyone with my story. This is my first original Broadway show
13:23
I came over from Mamma Mia, and I been working on the show for four years I feel amazing I feel really blessed And the audience tonight was so amazing and filled with friends and stars And they were so supportive
13:36
I feel like I'm walking on air, literally. Talk about what has been like working on this show and the great role you play
13:42
I play the role of Trish, and I'm a factory worker. And Trish, I feel really lucky because I'm a comedian and I get to be funny
13:50
And then in the second act, I get to have a very dramatic scene where almost every night
13:54
Charlie and I cry. We really cry because it's a turning point in the show. And as a comedian
14:03
actress, you don't get that opportunity to show that side of your self or of your acting
14:09
ability. So I just feel really blessed that I get to do that. And I love that more than just being
14:14
funny, actually, because it's, you know, we really feel it, you know, so I love it
14:19
What's the greatest part about being a part of this show? Working with Cindy Lopper and Harvey Firecene
14:24
Jerry Mitchell and Stephen Arremus has been a dream come true for me. If you'd have told me that I would be doing that sometime in my life
14:31
and not just to work with them, but to be friends with them. I mean, I really feel close with them
14:36
and I could just call them up and say hey or ask them any question. It's hard to believe
14:41
It's hard to really have that sink in, but it's what it is
14:45
and they're wonderful people, and they're so talented, and we have the best creative team on the planet, so
14:54
Silatos are in his life He's reddening me on night Gotta, laura
15:04
Poh, Fla, Fla, Fla, Fock Prada, New York, Paris, Hong Kong Living like in his heart
15:13
Seduction amplified But he lose the transition What if you'd like working with Harvey and Cindy
15:24
And Jerry? It's a blessing. It is a gift. I've known Harvey for a few years, but I've never worked with him before
15:33
So working with him as the scribe has been such a great change for me
15:44
Because usually most of my experience has been with shows that are already established, the script and everything
15:53
So this is really the first musical for me from the beginning
16:00
which has been really great. So I've been able to go through the process with Harvey and with Cindy
16:06
and working through the things with everybody. And it's been so great
16:11
It's been so great. Cindy works so hard, and she's been there every day
16:16
making sure that the music is just right. And Harvey's made little changes with lines here and there
16:22
and everything's been. and tightening and making it perfect. And it's, I mean, you can't ask for anything better
16:28
You've got the best people in the business. What a great role you get to play
16:32
Talk about him. Yeah. The journey, your character goes on. Talk about him
16:38
You know, which is great, because Don, Don is just, he's one of those guys
16:45
He's really not a bad guy. He's set in his beliefs, and he's sort of, I don't want to say old-fashioned
16:53
but he's, you know, he believes in what the factor's already been doing
16:57
So that, you know, when this change comes in and this entity shows up and changes everything around
17:07
he has to kind of dig within himself and, you know, make all that happen
17:12
So, I mean, it's been great working on it with Jerry and Harvey
17:18
It's your opening. How do you feel tonight? I feel fantastic. At any point, we were just talking with Danny Schenberg
17:23
German who plays Don in the show. And I said, do you know, we're dressing in the show right next day
17:28
I said, at any point tonight, I'd look over and there'd be some actor crying on stage
17:34
I've never experienced anything like that. You know, I've had some great openings on Broadway and off Broadway
17:39
I've never experienced something where the whole cast as one rolls forward with the audience
17:44
keeps on the toes in front of the audience. You know, my mom came to see the show last weekend, and she is a woman of a certain age
17:52
let's say, and she's seen a lot of theater in her life. And I said, what was your favorite part
17:57
Knowing she's going to say, my son in high-heeled boots. And she said, the message
18:02
And I said, what do you mean? Not the drag queens and not the... She said, no, I know some people who could stand to hear this message
18:11
And I thought, how wonderful that she reached it and found the kernel that is the show
18:18
Except change the world if you change your mind. Accept people for who they are
18:22
And then later later later later later later later later later, and then later later later later on, And then later later on, and then later on she later on she said
18:26
and then later on she said, She said, you know, and then later on she said, you know, and I like my son and I like my son wearing the boots
18:28
and everyone you get your boots and everyone , what about this great role
18:32
How about this great role role did you play? George Moon, when I first read the script
18:37
when I first read the script, I thought, I know exactly who he is. We did the full modi with Jerry
18:42
We took us boys over to London. We did the full modi. And there was a guy in a watch repair shop next door
18:47
who had a space in his teeth and his hair was for him. So, I knew what he looked like
18:51
and it's just going to fill out the inside of them. So the best part of the experience has been what for you with working on this show
18:58
Working with Jerry. Working with Jerry Mitchell. Again, a remarkable director, a remarkable friend
19:05
He can give you a note through a compliment like no one can
19:10
and make you think it's your idea and give you the benefit of having it be your own idea
19:16
So you have it inside of you as opposed to be put on you. He's just great
19:20
It's great to work with you. 10 years ago. He's a great work with again. Talk about the role that you play
19:25
Well, I play one of the factory workers, and I also play the Italian stage manager when we go to Milan
19:30
And, you know, the wonderful thing about working with Jerry is that you make you feel a part of the ensemble
19:36
I mean, we're really, the factory workers are so focused and alive and a part of everything
19:44
And it's a great feeling to be a part of the machine
19:49
you know, like literally the machine of the factory. you know, so I love what I'm doing
19:53
and I love the company and we have a great time every night and what the audience feels is
19:57
really true. We're just having a wonderful time. Working with this company of actors
20:03
Yeah, it's a tremendous company. They pick just wonderful people, great actors who really know how to work
20:09
and also to have fun So we just loving it We just loving it It wonderful This is time for a shake
20:21
Look at me, wake up, taking control. This is a new beginning
20:29
My gears are spinning. Let's rock and roll. Just put one foot onward and forward
20:40
Used to be a zero, but now I clearly feel that I may be the hero who reinvents the heel
20:47
I may be facing the impossible. I may be chasing after miracles
20:54
And there may be the steepest mountain to overcome. But this is step one
21:05
Yeah, this is step one. Talk about this great role that you play
21:11
I play Charlie Price, and he's a bit of a... I don't know, he's a bit of a ship without a rudder at the beginning
21:17
He doesn't really know what he's meant to do, but he thinks it's not what his father is trying to hand him
21:24
And inevitably, he has to take the helm of the family business
21:30
And, you know, he finds direction from a fabulous drag queen named Lola
21:36
and ends up, you know, hopefully saving the day. It's a real redemption story
21:41
and it's about accepting yourself with all your failures and accepting other people for who they are
21:47
And talk about working with the creative team. I feel like I am the luckiest guy in the world
21:52
So many of the jobs that I've had have been with incredible, incredible people, and from the creative team especially
21:59
And this time, you know, Cindy Lopper, I get texts from Cindy all the time
22:03
You know, it's like, what? Cindy, you know, I get to sing her words that she wrote for me
22:10
you know, songs that she wrote with me in mind. It's an amazing thing. Harvey Firestein is like, you know, he's like a family member now
22:17
I get nuzzled from him, and his beard is so scratchy. It just tickles your neck
22:23
It's the craziest thing to be a part of this group. Jerry Mitchell is an unbelievably talented director, a choreographer, person
22:30
And I just feel like I'm, you know, as long as I can keep doing my job
22:34
I play my part in this. hopefully we can we can last a while
22:39
And talk about working with this company, especially Billy Porter. Well, Billy and I have really hit it off from the beginning
22:47
And I wrote him, you know, his opening night letter tonight. And I told him I learned something from him every night
22:54
I do. I mean, he's a tour to force. I'm looking at him
22:59
That's why I keep glancing over this way. But he's, you know, he is a teacher in real life
23:05
That's one of his many talents. And I feel like I learned something in every moment in the show
23:10
And he's a lot of fun to play with. It's a dream. Working with this creative team, I mean, I think, you know
23:17
when you have people as singular and as individual as Harvey Firestein and Cindy Lopper
23:25
you know, I've always been that kind of singular individual type of artist
23:32
And it always felt like I didn't have anywhere to go. So I feel so lucky to have the people who've actually created the template for singularity
23:43
to sort of write this for me. It's just such a gift
23:50
It's a gift. And you're captain of the ship, Jerry Mitchell. Well, I mean, what I, you know, Jerry and I go way back
23:59
We go back to the 80s. I've known him forever. And, you know, just to watch him grow
24:05
into the director, choreographer, that he has become, is extraordinary. And what I love about him is that he understands the form
24:16
He understands that musical theater is uniquely American. He understands that there are rules
24:24
He embraces them. He loves to entertain the masses. And it's just, it's amazing, you know
24:35
There's no apology for being completely musical theater. And I love that
24:42
What did tonight mean to you? What a star-studied audience? I don't know who was there
24:47
I can't see. Everybody. Everybody was there? Well, bravo. Good. I'm glad that they were able to experience it
24:54
What was today like for you on your opening day? You know, I tried to just sort of stay even, you know, and just like, because I woke up this morning
25:04
and I thought I need to just breathe so that I don't run out of breath
25:10
and I don't run out of energy because I have a lot to do
25:15
Has that been the biggest challenge for you with this role? What
25:20
The energy, stamina? No, because I think, well, it is a challenge
25:25
but I think the way that the journey was parceled out, You know, we really had time to build
25:36
You know, we started with a workshop. Then we had time off. Then we went to Chicago
25:41
Then we had time off. Then we came to Broadway. So there's a, the stamina was allowed to sort of get inside of our bodies in that way
25:51
And I think that's great. You can throw out the old way because it's been done
25:56
We're getting ready for the new. Witness the future. of price and son
26:03
Papa's got a brand new shoe A life of broken heels Got you down
26:11
We've got your solution Get up Get it on Get in step
26:17
With our kinky revolution Everybody Say yeah Yeah Say yeah Yeah Yeah
26:29
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Say yeah, yeah, yeah
26:39
Say yeah, yeah, yeah. Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah
26:47
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Everybody, everybody, everybody, everybody, say yeah, yeah
#Acting & Theater
#Broadway & Musical Theater
#Drama Films
#Movies
#Music & Audio
#Musical Films
#Performing Arts
#Vocals & Show Tunes