Acclaimed Singer Nyoy Volante Plays A Swishy Drag Queen In The Hit Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical, 'Kinky Boots' To Be Staged By Atlantis Next Month

 ACOUSTIC BALLADEER Nyoy Volante plays his most challenging role on stage as Lola, the flamboyant drag queen in “Kinky Boots”, a hit Broadway musical with songs by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein of “Torch Song Trilogy” and “La Cage Aux Folles” fame. It’s based on a 2005 British film of the same time title, which was in turn inspired by the BBC TV docu “Trouble at the Top”, the true story of a young man who struggled to save his family’s shoe factory from closure through making fetish footwear for men using the brand name Divine Footwear.

In the musical, the young businessman is Charlie Price, who forms an unlikely partnership with a drag queen, Lola, to produce a line of high-heeled boots to save their family’s shoe business. It debuted on Broadway in April, 2013 and set new box office records. It got 13 Tony Award nominations, winning 6 of them, including best musical and best score for Lauper in her first try as a Broadway songwriter, making her the first woman to win alone in that category. When shown in London last year, it won three Laurence Olivier Awards, including best new musical. At its core, the musical is about two very different young men, Charlie and Simon/Lola who realize they have a lot in common, starting with the need to stand up to their fathers.

“Kinky Boots” is now being staged in Manila by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) opening on June 30 at the Carlos Romulo Theatre at the RCBC Plaza in Makati. The role of the cross-dressing Lola (whose real name is Simon) is played by acclaimed theatre performer Nyoy Volante, last seen as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys”. Charlie will be played by Laurence Mossman, the half-Pinoy, half-New Zealander singer-actor who debuted in the recent production of “Fun Home” and now plays his first lead role in “Kinky Boots”.

Playing Charlie’s love interest, Lauren, is Yanah Laurel while Tricia Canilao plays the third wheel, Nicola. Also in the cast are Jamie Wilson, Nel Gomez, Christine Flores, Sarah Facuri, Steven Conde, Rhenwyn Gabalonzo, Ron Gohel Jill Pena, Japs Treopaldo and Juancho Escoto. Playing Lola’s Angels in drag are Jorge Jahnke, Ritz Beltran, Michael Jahnke, Jazztin Cacayan, Mark Pineda and Gerhard Krysstopher.

The LGBT community will love “Kinky Boots” and its message about the need for tolerance and acceptance. The show is directed by Bobby Garcia, with choreography by Cecile Martinez, set design by Faust Peneyra, lighting by Adam Honore, costume by Raven Ong, sound by Kevin Heard, wigs and makeup by Johann de la Fuente, musical direction by Molinder Cadiz and vocal direction by Manman Angsico. A sure crowd pleaser that will send you dancing, select shows are now available for show buying and fundraising opportunities. Contact Jorelle at (632) 650-5144 or email info@ategasia.com. Tickets are now available at Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit TicketWorld Manila