The musical Kinky Boots, as famous for its stilettos as its score, is back. The show is now being performed in the off-Broadway theatre, Stage 42. 

Kinky boots is the story of an unlikely friendship between Charlie, the owner of a failing shoe factory, and Lola, a drag artist whose idea to make stiletto boots saves the company.

"To a lot of audience members Lola is this eye opening, awakening experience. And she can be quite healing for people," says Callum Francis. The British actor has played the role in London's West End, in Australia and in the U.S., including for a time the Broadway production, which closed in 2019. 

Kinky Boots, with music by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, opened on Broadway in 2013 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It is now playing in the more intimate space of Stage 42 which seats just under 500 audience members. 

Francis makes his transformation into Lola in his dressing before each performance and says there is a certain moment when he feels himself shift into the iconic character. 

"Wig and heels. I can sit here in the full face and still feel like Callum. with my shoes on and my own clothes. But as soon as the wig goes on and I catch my reflection, that's it," he says.

Stage 42 is on 42nd Street between 9th and 10th avenues near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority terminal.  The production hopes its location, and the more affordable off-Broadway ticket prices help bring in audiences to enjoy the music, the story, and of course, those boots.