Keoni In The City

“Sex is in the Heel” says Lola, the drag queen and main shoe designer in the new Broadway musical, Kinky Boots.  And anyone who has a shoe fetish would be doing themselves a favor to drop what they are doing and go see this spectacle now in previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.  Equal parts drag show and small town musical, Kinky Boots provides a fun and energetic night at the theater for those looking for a good time and to find the passion in their lives.

Kinky Boots is based on the movie of the same name and is one of those movies perfect for a musical adaptation.  It is a predictable story; but often it is not how you get there, but the journey that is the most fun.  This tells the story of a shoe company located in a small English town and of Charlie, the man that is bound to inherit the company and all it’s troubles.  Charlie’s girlfriend wants them to move to the big city, but sad news brings him back home and all of a sudden he has more responsibility than he wanted.  He must find a way to re-invent and invigorate his failing business to keep the workers employed who have been there for years.  By chance Charlie meets Lola, and through her finds new purpose in life, comes to accept who he really is and most importantly, finds the passion that has been missing in his life.  There are themes of moving out of a father’s shadow, finding one’s self and calling in life and the fact that you can always go home.

Performances were solid all around with Billy Porter absolutely bringing down the house as Lola.  Mr porter’s raspy, bluesy voice was the perfect counterpoint to the pure sounding but professional Stark Sands as Charlie.  The music and lyrics by 80’s pop star, Cyndi Lauper, were appropriate to the story moving the it along with a mix of original pop and dance numbers.  The choreography was well done and well executed by the whole company, making sure that those that weren’t that fleet of foot were limited to what they could handle.  The Angels, Lola’s back-up dancers, were all amazing.  Anyone that can do moves like that in heels like that I have to respect.  Of course the biggest stars were the costumes, especially the shoes/boots.  As I mentioned the boots are inspiring and they really take center stage for the last number along with the other costumes.  Think knee highs decked out in the patriotic colors or with gem studded heels.

Yes, I enjoyed this show.  Yes it’s goofy fun.  And yes, it’s predictable.  But for the songs, performances, choreography and especially the costumes, it is worth the time to find out why “Sex is in the Heel.”

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“Sex is in the Heel” says Lola, the drag queen and main shoe designer in the new Broadway musical, Kinky Boots.  And anyone who has a shoe fetish would be doing themselves a favor to drop what they are doing and go see this spectacle now in previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.  Equal parts drag show and small town musical, Kinky Boots provides a fun and energetic night at the theater for those looking for a good time and to find the passion in their lives.

Kinky Boots is based on the movie of the same name and is one of those movies perfect for a musical adaptation.  It is a predictable story; but often it is not how you get there, but the journey that is the most fun.  This tells the story of a shoe company located in a small English town and of Charlie, the man that is bound to inherit the company and all it’s troubles.  Charlie’s girlfriend wants them to move to the big city, but sad news brings him back home and all of a sudden he has more responsibility than he wanted.  He must find a way to re-invent and invigorate his failing business to keep the workers employed who have been there for years.  By chance Charlie meets Lola, and through her finds new purpose in life, comes to accept who he really is and most importantly, finds the passion that has been missing in his life.  There are themes of moving out of a father’s shadow, finding one’s self and calling in life and the fact that you can always go home.

Performances were solid all around with Billy Porter absolutely brought down the house as Lola.  Mr porter’s raspy, bluesy voice was the perfect counterpoint to the pure sounding but professional Stark Sands as Charlie.  The music and lyrics by 80’s pop star, Cyndi Lauper, were appropriate to the story moving the it along with a mix of original pop and dance numbers.  The choreography was well done and well executed by the whole company, making sure that those that weren’t that fleet of foot were limited to what they could handle.  The Angels, Lola’s back-up dancers, were all amazing.  Anyone that can do moves like that in heels like that I have to respect.  Of course the biggest stars were the costumes, especially the shoes/boots.  As I mentioned the boots are inspiring and they really take center stage for the last number along with the other costumes.  Think knee highs decked out in the patriotic colors or with gem studded heels.

Yes, I enjoyed this show.  Yes it’s goofy fun.  And yes, it’s predictable.  But for the songs, performances, choreography and especially the costumes, it is worth the time to find out why “Sex is in the Heel.”

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They walked down an unassuming block in Hell’s Kitchen until they came across “the place.” Yes this was the place; a large “arctic entry” covering the concrete stairs descending down to the below-street level temple of ramen. This is Totto Ramen.

They waited with the rest of the crowd, mostly Asian couples but a few white faces here and there. Some spilled out onto the street, most tried to huddle inside the entryway to get some warmth from the lone heat lamp and a smell of the wafting broth that had been produced inside all day. It was the dead of winter, yet there they were, the fanatics braving the elements for a bowl of that liquid gold. The front door emblazoned with “CASH ONLY” served as a barrier between those that yearned for the taste of steaming satisfaction and those that had already attained a coveted seat.

Finally hearing their name called they were sent straight to the bar were they felt the heat of the diminutive kitchen on their frosty faces. Quickly coming to a thaw they perused the minimal menu and went straight for the kill. “Totto Spicy Ramen” they will both have they said in collusion. This was based off the original Totto Paitan Ramen a chicken and soy sauce based broth decked with scallion, onion, char sui porj and nori. The spicy version added some bean sprouts and a spicy sesame oil. In addition to the renowned ramen, Totto offered other small bites and daily specials as well.

First to come was an order of the Char Siu Bun, a fatty slice of pork belly, lettuce and tartar sauce surrounded by a white two  white pillows of doughy bun. The soft texture of the bun and the pork was offset by the crisp lettuce and the acid in the sauce helped cut through the fat. There have been better versions of this, but this was a nice little bite to get the appetite going.

The real star of the show arrived in a large white porcelain bowl decked with Asian designs. The steam and smell reminded one of the wait outside a bit, when that same smell was first experienced that evening. There was a strong garlicky taste to the broth that added to the depth of flavor. The bean sprouts, onions and scallions added some nice contrasting crunchy texture and color to the umami filled broth. The nori imparted a taste of the ocean. The noodles, a perfect al dente texture and the pork belly adding heft and more umami to the broth. So simple, yet so much going on, it was a cornucopia of flavors and textures in one satisfying bowl.

Soon there was nothing in the bowl but some used chopsticks, a spoon and used napkins. The bowl was empty but their bellies were full.

They walked down an unassuming block in Hell’s Kitchen until they came across “the place.” Yes this was the place; a large “arctic entry” covering the concrete stairs descending down to the below-street level temple of ramen. This is Totto Ramen.

They waited with the rest of the crowd, mostly Asian couples but a few white faces here and there. Some spilled out onto the street, most tried to huddle inside the entryway to get some warmth from the lone heat lamp and a smell of the wafting broth that had ben produced inside all day. It was the dead of winter, yet there here were the fanatics braving the elements for a bowl of that liquid gold. The front door emblazoned with “CASH ONLY” served as a barrier between those that yearned for the taste of steaming satisfaction and those that had already attained a coveted seat.

Finally hearing their name called they were sent straight to the bar were they felt the heat of the diminutive kitchen on their frosty faces. Quickly coming to a thaw they perused the minimal menu and went straight for the kill. “Totto Spicy Ramen” they will both have they said in collusion. This was based off the original Totto Paitan Ramen a chicken and soy sauce based broth decked with scallion, onion, char sui porj and nori. The spicy version added some bean sprouts and a spicy sesame oil. In addition to the renowned ramen, Totto offered other small bites and daily specials as well.

First to come was an order of the Char Siu Bun, a fatty slice of pork belly, lettuce and tartar sauce surrounded by a white pillowy and doughy bun. The soft texture of the bun and the pork was offset by the crisp lettuce and the acid in the sauce helped cut through the fat. There has been better versions of this, but this was a nice little bite to get the appetite going.

The real star of the show arrived in a large white porcelain bowl decked with Asian designs. The steam and smell reminded one of the wait outside a bit, when that same smell was first experienced that evening. There was a strong garlicky taste to the broth that added to the depth of flavor. The bean sprouts, onions and scallions added some nice contrasting crunchy texture and color to the umami filled broth. The nori imparted a taste of the ocean. The noodles, a perfect al dente texture and the pork belly adding heft and more umami to the broth. So simple, yet so much going on, it was a cornucopia of flavors and textures in one satisfying bowl.

Soon there was nothing in the bowl but some used chopsticks, a spoon and used napkins. The bowl was empty but their bellies were full.