CHOREOGRAPHER SONYA TAYEH ON EXPRESSING IMPOSSIBLE LOVE AND THE RAVISHING MOULIN ROUGE! DANCERS
STORY BY Paul Wontorek
Sonya Tayeh put a shot of adrenaline in the theater season with her electrifying choreography for Moulin Rouge! The deliciously over-the-top musical extravaganza marks the Broadway debut for the dance visionary, who has previously worked with pop stars like Madonna, Miley Cyrus and Florence and the Machine, as well as created Emmy-nominated performances for TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Broadway.com contributor Matthew Murphy recently gathered Tayeh and members of her high-energy Moulin Rouge! ensemble for a photo session to show off their moves. Before the shoot, we sat down with the in-demand theatermaker (who is also prepping the new musical Sing Street Off-Broadway) to hear about her journey from the underground club scene of Detroit to the legit stage. How does it feel to have this “spectacular spectacular” playing on Broadway? I feel incredible. I feel inspired. I feel amped and charged and I’m just so happy that people are seeing it and seeing the beauty that it is. The love that’s come our way for this magical, humungous show—it’s just an unforgettable experience for me, as my first Broadway experience. It’s really a wild thing.
There was a lot of anticipation for this musical, and expectations have been exceeded. What do you think is the lesson here? [Leading lady] Karen Olivo told us that everyone working on the show really loves the film and wanted to take care of it. Was that key? It’s exactly what Karen said. Each collaborator is ambitious, courageous and has a huge imagination, especially [director] Alex Timbers, and every one of us loves the movie. So, you go into a space with all this excitement, like kids in a candy store. And you’re talking: “Remember this scene?” “Remember how you felt?” And we just kept talking, and just kept pushing each other. I feel like because we were at the same heightened place most of the time, the charge was there, and it just kept driving us.
Moulin Rouge! is a movie of movement. I remember seeing it on opening day at the Ziegfeld Theatre, and it was constantly moving in a way that was almost uncomfortable for the audience. As choreographer, you had a lot to jump off from. I love working in excess. So, it was a relief to have this be my first big Broadway production and to have that sensibility—the high-octane, highly physical energy because that’s where my brain lies. I work in excess first, load on a lot, and then I edit accordingly. I felt very welcome inside of [the project], but also incredibly challenged because it’s a feat of a movie. And I wanted that same feeling on the stage, and to work in all genres [of dance] because there are so many genres of music. Then there are the historical elements—like the can-can and the tango, which could be incorporated, but with my twist inside of it.
It’s so emotionally charged as a story. And then so much of the dance is emotionally charged. Yeah, we got to express what sexual attention looks like. What impossible love looks like. What secrets look like. All physicalized. I’m really lucky.
How do you gather an ensemble of dancers to tell your story?
I knew when we started building the vocabulary that it was going to be a big responsibility and that I had to find people who had fire and discipline to be able to execute what the show needs. What it needs, not what I wanted. The show really needed all of that excess and that highly physical energy like the movie. It would be a disservice if I didn’t have that heat constantly lifting on the stage. I could tell right away in the audition process, based on the very difficult phrasing that we created, who could handle it and who wanted to. I remember being in that audition—most of [the performers] onstage right now were there—and it was one of the most memorable auditions I’ll ever have. It was phenomenal—just the sheer talent and excellence that they exude. The sweat and that healthy challenge with their comrades and people they’ve worked with before. I had a really visceral experience during that audition process. It must be intense when you’re working so hard with a group of dancers giving their all. But is it also fun? What was the collaboration like in the rehearsal room?
Incredibly challenging, incredibly exhausting but also, yes, so fun. I try to keep it open and loving and respectful of one another, but I also thrive on the challenge. We hired these amazing artists who also thrive on that, so it was fun to see where we all go together and to build off them. I walked in with so much stuff, but they were also able to give so much of themselves. What’s been exciting about this process is finding these little bits of individualized energy inside of the piece. Even when they’re in unison, you still see them. Because all walks of life are welcomed at the Moulin Rouge. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t this overly pristine, formal energy. I wanted it to feel like a world of people, a world of righteous people.
I love this quote from your bio: “Tayeh hardly whispers in the movement she creates, she screams.” Now you’re bringing that energy to a multi-million dollar musical and reaching mainstream audiences. So, what’s it been like screaming on Broadway?
[Laughs.] When I found out I got the job, I knew the stakes of the material. I let my ego go all crazy and let the pressure rise and rise and rise. And then I just allowed myself to let it fall. I was hired for a reason, so myself needs to be inside of the piece. It took a while, and a lot of terrible weeks by myself in a space trying to figure it out.
That’s how it starts? You in a room alone with the music?
I got into a space in silence and just start to move around and visualize. I did that first alone with “Roxanne.” The first day, I just kept flashing to all the parts in the movie that struck me, and I just started to speak about it and to move about it. I remember thinking extra hard: “What am I seeing so intensely in my mind right now?” And I wasn’t seeing the actual choreography from the movie, but I remember the slicing sounds and the sweat and the cuts of the shirts in the music. That’s what I wanted that section to look like: those sounds. Then I started choreographing off of that. The word “Broadway” brings expectation and pressure, so I had to really sit back and remember who I am and make sure I worked hard to bring myself to the work. It came from inside of me and inside a really deep, challenging, gruelingly beautiful process.
There is an amazing list of songs assembled for Moulin Rouge! Did you have this ultimate playlist in your phone to find inspiration in the music?
[Music supervisor] Justin Levine did such beautiful work on the show—it’s really just phenomenal. Every time I got a demo, I would scream, “Are you serious?! This is what I get to dance to at 10 in the morning? This is what we’re starting with?” I mean, the opening number is almost 12 minutes long and it’s every party song. It really helped alleviate the stress and brings the fun. Even when it would get really grueling and tiring, I remember just closing my eyes or just turning it up a little bit louder and just saying, “Remember what we’re dancing to!” Remember what this is about—community and Bohemian love and life and pride and all of that together. It gave us such freedom.
You were not the little girl in the audience of musicals dreaming of dancing on Broadway. Tell me a little bit about your childhood and family.
I was brought up with two incredible older sisters, who have been my biggest fans and biggest inspirations, and an incredible mom. I was brought up in the underground dance scene in Detroit, where my ears heard soul music really young—Aretha [Franklin], the Temptations— all of it was just generating in my household. And then I dove into the early ’90s—techno music, house music, and watching that music birthed in this incredible city with so much loss and so much history inside of it. Going into incredible abandoned buildings and having dance parties and looking around at a sea of people trying to understand themselves was pretty profound. I carry that everywhere I dance. And I think that, sonically, all of that intensity and darkness and smoke and history and loss is all encompassing inside the work. I knew I wanted to dance— that dance was in my life. It was like a guarantee. I just didn’t know how to get there right away. But I also knew, looking around, that I loved seeing it. I knew. I wanted to make dance.
If we took a time machine back to one of those abandoned buildings, were you, like, hitting it hard on the dance floor?
Hard. In just a tube top and those wide legged pants, shoes like this [points to her black boots]. Nothing much has changed actually, minus the tube top! I was by the speaker, tears running down my face, hearing music that made me feel like I was four inches above the floor. And just moving around and understanding, “Oh wow, this is going to be my life.” But also, “Uh oh. How do I do it?” You know, what do you do when you don’t have the route from the beginning? But because I had strong women wrapped around my life, they were like, “If you’re going to do it, study it. And then do it how you want to.” I found incredible professors that taught me the classics and the history. Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp—all my heroes. Especially Twyla Tharp and Martha [Graham]—their convictions and discipline are what drive me.
Did you have a lot of fire in you?
Yeah, yeah. Passion. I always call it when I’m a maniac in rehearsal. So much passion still. I really love it. I don’t think you’ll ever see me jaded. I don’t know what that is. I’m always excited about it. Tired? Yes. Frustrated? Don’t have the answer? Sometimes failing? Yes, that’s part of it. But it doesn’t pull me into the ground. It just gives me the fire.
You’ve now found a creative home on Broadway. How does it feel to be part of the legacy and the community? It feels incredible. For me, Broadway came with dancers I’ve known since they were 12 and then strangers that I’m in love with now. I have this incredible village of people that are so supportive of me and I them. I’m just so excited to see what else is there. I’m now holding on so tight to make sure that all I do now is based on that Broadway skill. I want to really hold onto what I know has always been my first instinct, which is to do things that speak to me and inspire me. But having this now and seeing all of that history there is really emotional for me. It makes me want to cry all the time because you just don’t think it’s possible sometimes. Everything came a little bit later for me and sometimes that makes it feel impossible. Every time I walk to the theater and my name is there, I stop for a second. I shake my head and I can’t believe it.
Moulin Rouge! is scheduled to come to Citizens Opera House starting July 29, 2026. For more information and features, head to Broadway.com.
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Sarasota Ballet/ Photo by Frank Atura
LONGBOAT KEY | ST. ARMANDS | LIDO KEY
SIESTA KEY | CASEY KEY
MANASOTA KEY
LAKEWOOD RANCH WELLEN PARK NOKOMIS
LONGBOAT KEY | ST. ARMANDS || LIDO KE
SIES TA KEY | CASEY KEY | VE NICE
MANASOTA KEY | LAKEWOOD RANCH WELLEN PARK NOKOMIS
Siesta Key
Book by
CROSSROADS LIVE WILLOW WEALTH
present
Music & Lyrics by
HARVEY FIERSTEIN CYNDI LAUPER
Based on the Miramax motion picture Kinky Boots Written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth starring NOAH SILVERMAN OMARI COLLINS
SOPHIA GUNTER JOHN ANKER BOW EMMA DEAN JASON DANIEL CHACON
CARLYN BARENHOLTZ CONNOR BUONACCORSI BRIANNA CLARK DARGAN COLE FELIPE CRISTANCHO-RODRÍGUEZ
BLAKE DU BOIS JONATHAN BLAKE FLEMINGS PEYTON GAIDA JAYNA GLYNN BILLY GOLDSTEIN BRANDIN JAY ROBERT MILLER VAL MORANTO DOMINIC PAGLIARO THOMAS ED PURVIS BLAISE ROSSMANN TJ STATEN KYLE WILLIAMSON NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design Sound Design DAVID ROCKWELL GREGG BARNES KENNETH POSNER GARETH OWEN
Hair Design
Make-up Design
Casting JOSH MARQUETTE JEFF KNAGGS MURNANE CASTING
CHAD ERIC MURNANE, CSA AMBER SNEAD, CSA
Music Coordinator
Music Director
Production Stage Manager
Company Manager TALITHA FEHR CAMERON BLAKE KINNEAR NATE COFFEY JOANNE HOLDEMAN
Tour Management Production Manager
General Manager Executive Producer CROSSROADS LIVE GREGG DAMANTI ANDREW TERLIZZI JAYNA NEAGLE NORTH AMERICA
Tour Booking
Marketing & Press Representative Social Media THE ROAD COMPANY ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING THINK TANK STEPHEN LINDSAY & BRETT SIROTA
Direction Recreated by Choreography Recreated by Music Supervison by DB BONDS RUSTY MOWERY WILL VAN DYKE
Arrangements and Orchestrations by STEPHEN OREMUS
Original Broadway Production Directed & Choreographed by JERRY MITCHELL
Original Broadway Production Produced by DARYL ROTH HAL LUFTIG
JAMES L. NEDERLANDER TERRY ALLEN KRAMER INDEPENDENT PRESENTERS NETWORK
CJ E&M JAYNE BARON SHERMAN JUST FOR LAUGHS THEATRICALS/JUDITH ANN ABRAMS YASUHIRO KAWANA JANE BERGÈRE ALLAN S. GORDON & ADAM S. GORDON
KEN DAVENPORT HUNTER ARNOLD LUCY & PHIL SUAREZ BRYAN BANTRY RON FIERSTEIN & DORSEY REGAL JIM KIERSTEAD/GREGORY RAE
BB GROUP/CHRISTINA PAPAGJIKA MICHAEL DeSANTIS/PATRICK BAUGH
BRIAN SMITH/TOM & CONNIE WALSH WARREN TREPP and JUJAMCYN THEATERS
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Mr. Price .......................................................................................................................DOMINIC PAGLIARO
Charlie Price.................................................................................................................. NOAH SILVERMAN
Nicola........................................................................................................................................... EMMA DEAN
George JOHN ANKER BOW
Don JASON DANIEL CHACON
Lauren SOPHIA GUNTER
Pat CARLYN BARENHOLTZ
Harry BLAKE DU BOIS
Lola OMARI COLLINS “SCARLETT D. VON’DU”
Angels DARGAN COLE, FELIPE CRISTANCHO-RODRÍGUEZ,
JONATHAN BLAKE FLEMINGS, PEYTON GAIDA, BLAISE ROSSMANN, TJ STATEN
Trish ......................................................................................................................................... VAL MORANTO
Richard Bailey .............................................................................................................KYLE WILLIAMSON
Simon Sr. .................................................................................................................... THOMAS ED PURVIS
Milan Stage Manager JAYNA GLYNN
Ensemble CARLYN BARENHOLTZ, BLAKE DU BOIS, JAYNA GLYNN, BILLY GOLDSTEIN, BRANDIN JAY, VAL MORANTO, DOMINIC PAGLIARO, THOMAS ED PURVIS, KYLE WILLIAMSON, NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY
STANDBYS
AND UNDERSTUDIES
Standbys and understudies never substitute for listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
Understudy for Lola—THOMAS ED PURVIS, TJ STATEN; for Charlie—BLAKE DU BOIS, KYLE WILLIAMSON; for Lauren—JAYNA GLYNN, NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY; for Nicola—BRIANNA CLARK, NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY; for Don—BILLY GOLDSTEIN, BRANDIN JAY; for George—BILLY GOLDSTEIN, BRANDIN JAY; for Mr. Price—CONNOR BUONACCORSI, BILLY GOLDSTEIN; for Trish—CARLYN BARENHOLTZ, BRIANNA CLARK; for Pat—BRIANNA CLARK, JAYNA GLYNN; for Harry—BLAISE ROSSMANN, KYLE WILLIAMSON; for Richard Bailey—ROBERT MILLER, BLAISE ROSSMANN; for Simon Sr. JONATHAN BLAKE FLEMINGS, BRANDIN JAY; for Milan Stage Manager NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY, BRIANNA CLARK.
DANCE CAPTAIN: ROBERT MILLER ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN: BRIANNA CLARK
SWINGS
CONNOR BUONACCORSI, BRIANNA CLARK, ROBERT MILLER
THERE WILL BE ONE 20-MINUTE INTERMISSION.
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.
WHO’S WHO in the CAST
OMARI COLLINS “SCARLETT D.
VON’DU” (Lola) is thrilled to be back in the Boots for the seventh time! A KCMO native and NYC-based drag artist. Regional: Kinky Boots, NCL, RWS Global, Cedar Fair: Live Entertainment. @scarlettd.vondu. @omari_collins.
NOAH SILVERMAN (Charlie Price) is honored to be touring across North America telling this fun and important story! National tour: The Book of Mormon (Ensemble, u/s Elder McKinley). Regional: The Prom (Kevin), On the Town (Ozzie), The Curious Incident… (Christopher). AIDA Cruises (Lead Vocalist). Penn State B.F.A. MT, Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Huge thanks to his family, friends and team at Henderson Hogan. For Mom and Dad, this one’s for you! @ndsilverman.
SOPHIA GUNTER (Lauren). National tour debut! Previous credits include Legally Blonde (Theatre Aspen), Singin’ in the Rain (SSMT), Million Dollar Quartet (SSMT), Chicago (Virginia Musical Theatre). “All my love and gratitude to my family, friends, Shenandoah Conservatory and The Hybrid Agency.” @sophiahalegunter.
JOHN ANKER BOW (George). Rider University class of ’03. Touring: Come From Away (Nick and Others), Cats (Bustopher/Gus), Ragtime (Henry Ford), A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley), Kinky Boots (George, 2017–18 tour), Disney Cruise Line. Off-Broadway: Slam Frank. Podcast: “Flop of the Heap.” Hudson Artists Agency, NYC.
EMMA DEAN (Nicola) is a recent graduate from Ithaca College with a B.F.A. in musical theater and is so excited to be making her national tour debut! Thank you to her family, friends and CLA Partners, for their love and support!
JASON DANIEL CHACON (Don) is thrilled to be back in boots after completing a stint with Kinky Boots on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Other credits: Stranger Sings: A Musical Parody (Hopper), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), A Funny Thing Happened… (Miles Gloriosus). All the love to his family
and friends for their unwavering support. Insta: @jdchacon25.
CARLYN BARENHOLTZ (Pat/Ensemble) Born-and-raised New Yorker. Recently: The Argyle, NYGASP, Disney Cruise Line. Currently: pinching herself. Proud alumnus of Boston Conservatory (B.F.A .MT) and LaGuardia High School (Vocal Music). As always, for Mom and Darah. Rep: @adunnirosetalent. “To life!”
CONNOR BUONACCORSI (Swing) is thrilled be joining the Kinky Boots family. Previous tours: Mean Girls, Hairspray. Associate artistic director of Rhode to Broadway. Proud Boston Conservatory graduate! Thanks to family, friends and Avalon Artists Group! @connorbuonaccorsi.
BRIANNA CLARK (Swing). Credits include Pretty Woman (national tour, Swing), Margaritaville at Sea and Eve in Children of Eden. Eternal thanks to her family and friends for being the wind beneath her…heels. @breeehapppy. #swingnation.
DARGAN COLE (Angel/Ensemble) is a recent graduate from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and is thrilled to be making his national tour debut! All the love to his family and The Price group for their endless support! @dargan.cole.
FELIPE CRISTANCHO-RODRÍGUEZ (Angel/Ensemble) is honored to make his national tour debut! Regional: Sister Act (Pablo), La Cage aux Folles (Swing), In the Heights (Sonny). “Muchísimo amor para Ma, Pa, Sebas, y Tía Pepa!” AMDA ’24. IG: @felipec_r.
BLAKE DU BOIS (Harry/Ensemble) is an actor/writer from San Carlos, Calif. Past credits: Metamorphosis! (Edinburgh Fringe), Rent (Theatre Aspen) and Dune! The Dunesical! (Co-writer/Paul; TNC). Special thanks: Baker Management, Taylor, Joey, Peter, Mom and Dad.
JONATHAN BLAKE FLEMINGS (Angel/Ensemble). Tour debut! Regional: Carnegie Hall, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Musical Theatre West, PCPA, Moonlight Stage, Olney Theatre,
MGR Playhouse. TV: “Elementary,” CBS. Other: Disney Live Entertainment. “Love to my family, FSE, Team KB, LA, HOU, PGH!” B.F.A., Point Park University. @itsjblake.
PEYTON GAIDA (Angel/Ensemble) is ecstatic to make his national tour debut! A Shenandoah Conservatory senior (B.F.A. MT ’26), he also stuns local stages as Sienna Rae Skye. Endless love to family, friends, professors and fabulous supporters! @peytongaida. @siennaraeskye.
JAYNA GLYNN (Milan SM/Ensemble). Filled with joy to make her tour debut! Recent credits: Beautiful (Stages St. Louis), …Spelling Bee (Dr. Phillips Center) and vocalist with APO (Lincoln Center). Missouri State MT. Thanks to PMA, her family and, above all, God, the anchor of her art! jaynaglynn.com.
BILLY GOLDSTEIN (Ensemble) is honored to make his national tour debut! Regional credits include Ragtime, Waitress, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago and more. Grateful to family, friends, Dan and the creative/casting teams for this opportunity. Reps: @mtaagency. IG: @itsbillygoldstein. TikTok: @billygoldstein.
BRANDIN JAY (Ensemble). National tour debut! Brandin was featured on NBC songwriting series “Songland”. Film credits: Disney Channel’s Let It Shine, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins TV: “House of Payne,” “Meet the Browns.” Regional: Chasin’ Dem Blues, The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Annie. Follow Brandin @brandin.jay.
ROBERT MILLER (Swing). Touring credentials: Pretty Woman: The Musical (Swing, Dance Capt.), Tootsie (Swing, Asst. Dance Capt.). Thank you friends, family and The Price Group for your undying support. Love yinz! Check out more on website: robertbpmiller.com.
VAL MORANTO (Trish/Ensemble) is thrilled to be getting back into the Boots for her third time! Select regional credits include ACT of CT, Gulfshore Playhouse, Ogunquit, Fulton, Riverside in Vero Beach and the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. B.F.A. Boston Conservatory. “Thanks to the amazing creative team, Murnane Casting and my Beloved Husband TJ!”
DOMINIC PAGLIARO (Mr. Price/ Ensemble) (he/him/his). National tour: Pretty Woman (Stuckey, u/s Edward), Anastasia (u/s Vlad, u/s Gleb). Select regional: NSMT, Legacy, Engeman, New Paradigm, Cardinal Stage. B.F.A. Indiana University. “All my love to Mom, Dad, family and friends, CXLNA and MTA.” dompagliaro.com. @dom.pags.
THOMAS ED PURVIS (Simon Sr./ Ensemble). Tours: Rent 25th Anniversary (U.S./Japan), The Book of Mormon (Golden Plates). Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Paper Mill Playhouse), Choir Boy (SpeakEasy Stage). B.F.A., Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Represented by Ally Taylor Artist. @thomasedpurvis.
BLAISE ROSSMANN (Angel/Ensemble) is thrilled to strut into Kinky Boots! Big—huge—thanks to the fabulous creative team and to Zelda for the emergency makeup lessons. National tour: The Cher Show, Pretty Woman. Regional: Music Theatre Wichita, Theatre By The Sea, Syracuse Stage, The Glimmerglass Festival. Proud Syracuse alum. “Love to my family, friends and The Collective.” @blaiserossmann.
TJ STATEN (Angel/Ensemble) is thrilled to make his national tour debut with Kinky Boots. Regional and OffBroadway credits include Dreamgirls (The Muny), Ragtime, Newsies, The Color Purple, The Wiz and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 @tjstaten.
KYLE WILLIAMSON (Richard Bailey/ Ensemble) is thrilled to make his national tour debut with Kinky Boots Favorite credits include Sweeney Todd (Anthony) and Joseph…Dreamcoat (Joseph). “All my love to family and friends. With God, no fear.”
NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY (Ensemble). Tours: Sister Act Asia, Dog Man: The Musical. Off-Broadway: Cause For Applause NYC. Regional: Rent. Grateful to God, family, friends and agents at Avalon. It takes a village to “Raise You Up!” @natalie.lilavoisyusty.
HARVEY FIERSTEIN (Book) is the author of the hit Newsies as well as Torch Song Trilogy (Tony, Drama Desk
and Obie awards), La Cage aux Folles (Tony and Drama Desk awards), The Sissy Duckling (Humanitas Award), A Catered Affair (12 Drama Desk nominations), Safe Sex (Ace Award), Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, Common Ground and more. His political editorials have been published in The New York Times, TV Guide and The Huffington Post and broadcast on PBS’s “In the Life.” His children’s book, The Sissy Duckling, is now in its fifth printing. As an actor, Mr. Fierstein is known worldwide for his performances in films like Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day, and on stage in Hairspray (Tony Award), Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy (Tony Award) and TV shows such as “Smash,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Good Wife,” “Cheers” (Emmy nomination), “The Simpsons” and “Nurse Jackie.”
CYNDI LAUPER (Music and Lyrics) is a Grammy, Emmy and now Tony Award-winning (for her Kinky Boots score) artist, who, after 30 sterling years and global record sales in excess of 50 million albums, has proven that she has the heart and soul to keep her legion of fans compelled by her every creative move. With her first album, She’s So Unusual, Lauper won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and became the first female in history to have four top-five singles from a debut album. Since then, Lauper has released 10 additional studio albums, with her most recent, the Grammynominated Memphis Blues, ruling the Billboard Blues Chart for 14 consecutive weeks to become the best-selling blues album of 2010. Overall, during her storied music career, Lauper has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, seven American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards. She recently captured her journey through music and life in her New York Times best-selling autobiography, Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir. As an actress, Lauper made her Broadway debut in The Threepenny Opera alongside Alan Cumming in 2006. She has appeared in “Mad About You” (Emmy Award) and “Bones” and films including The Opportunist with Christopher Walken, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,
Life With Mikey, Off and Running and Vibes. Cyndi returned to television in 2013, this time as herself, in the limited docu-series “She’s So Unusual” on WE TV. Lauper also continues her philanthropic work through her foundation, the True Colors Fund.
JERRY MITCHELL (Original Director and Choreographer) is a three-time Tony Award winner, first for his choreography in the revival of La Cage aux Folles, second for his choreography in the Tony Awardwinning Best Musical, Kinky Boots (for which he was also Tony-nominated for his direction) and most recently for his philanthropic activities as the creator and executive producer of the yearly charity event called Broadway Bares. His most recent Broadway show is Boop!, which he directed and choreographed and for which he won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle awards, as well as his ninth Tony nomination as choreographer. Prior to Boop!, Jerry directed and choreographed Pretty Woman and prior to that, the Gloria Estefan musical, On Your Feet!, both shows for Broadway and the West End. Jerry has been nominated for four Olivier Awards for his choreography in Hairspray; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which he also directed and co-produced in London; Legally Blonde; and Kinky Boots, which he also directed. Currently, he is the director and choreographer of Elton John’s The Devil Wears Prada on the West End. In the 35 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with more than 50 Broadway, West End and touring productions. His Broadway debut as choreographer, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nominated), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nominated, NBC Live), Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance (Tony nominated), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nominated), La Cage aux Folles, Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nominated, which he also directed on Broadway and in London), Catch Me If You Can and Kinky Boots. For film, Jerry created memorable dance sequences for Scent of a Woman, The Object of My Affection, In and Out and Drop Dead Gorgeous, among others.
STEPHEN OREMUS (Arranger and Orchestrator). Broadway: Kinky Boots (Tony, Grammy), The Book of Mormon (Tony, Drama Desk, Grammy), Wicked, Avenue Q, All Shook Up, 9 to 5: The Musical, Smash, Frozen. Off-Broadway: tick, tick…BOOM! Film: Executive music producer of Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025); vocal arranger/conductor for Disney’s Frozen and Frozen 2. TV: Music director of the 2015 Oscars (Emmy nomination), “Annie Live!,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Rent Live!,” “A Very Wicked Halloween Special,” “Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen 2.”
DB BONDS (Direction Recreation) is the worldwide associate director of Kinky Boots. He has worked on the show on Broadway, all U.S. tours, West End, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Australia and Toronto. He directed the regional premiere of the show at The Muny in St Louis. He has also served in the same capacity on Boop! The Musical and Pretty Woman: The Musical with Jerry Mitchell.
RUSTY MOWERY (Choreography Recreation). Recently served as director/choreographer for the Australian premiere of Pretty Woman Associate choreographer: Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. tour, London, Toronto, Seoul, Tokyo, Australia, Germany), Pretty Woman (London). Production dance supervisor: Hairspray Broadway/ national tour, Toronto; Legally Blonde (London). Dancer on Broadway: Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Seussical, Ragtime and Cats.
WILL VAN DYKE (Music Supervisor) is a Grammy-nominated musical multihyphenate. As a composer: fuzzy (BSC), Ten Brave Seconds (PTC), Writing Kevin Taylor (Village), among others. Broadway MD: Mamma Mia!, Swept Away, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Little Shop of Horrors, Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots and Rent. Founding partner of Joy Machine Records. Stream his music online! willvandyke.com. @wvdmusic.
DAVID ROCKWELL (Scenic Designer). Broadway: Chess, Art, Boop!, Into the Woods, She Loves Me (Tony, DD, OCC awards), On the Twentieth Century (Tony nom.), You Can’t Take It With You
(Tony nom.), Kinky Boots (Tony nom.), Hairspray (Tony, DD, OCC noms.). Off-Broadway: Ragtime, Oliver!, Shakespeare in the Park. Film/TV: 81st, 82nd, 93rd Oscars; 2010 and 2021 Emmy Awards. Founder, Rockwell Group.
GREGG BARNES (Costume Designer). Broadway: Boop! (Tony nom.), Some Like It Hot (Tony Award), Pretty Woman, Mean Girls (Tony nom.), Tuck Everlasting (Tony nom.), Something Rotten! (Tony nom.), Aladdin, Kinky Boots (Tony nom., Olivier Award), Follies (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Legally Blonde (Tony nom.), The Drowsy Chaperone (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Flower Drum Song (Tony nom.), Side Show. Other: Kinky Boots (Olivier Award).
KENNETH POSNER (Lighting Designer) designs extensively on and OffBroadway for resident theaters, opera companies and touring productions throughout the United States as well as internationally. He has over 75 Broadway and West End credits, including Once Upon a One More Time, Beetlejuice, Mr. Saturday Night, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, War Paint, Tuck Everlasting, Disgraced, On Your Feet!, If/Then, Kinky Boots, Pippin, Cinderella, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde, Catch Me If You Can, The Coast of Utopia: Shipwrecked, Other Desert Cities, The Merchant of Venice, The Little Foxes, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Finding Neverland and Wicked. He is the recipient of the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle, Lucille Lortel, Joseph Jefferson, Henry Hewes and Obie awards.
GARETH OWEN (Sound Designer). Boop!, Hell’s Kitchen, Tommy, MJ: The Musical (Tony win), Back to the Future (Olivier nom.), & Juliet (Tony nom.), Starlight Express, The Devil Wears Prada, Bad Cinderella, Elf, Come From Away (Olivier win), A Bronx Tale, End of the Rainbow (Tony nom.), A Little Night Music (Tony nom.), Diana, The Devil Wears Prada, Bat Out of Hell (Olivier nom.), Memphis (Olivier win), Summer, Top Hat (Olivier nom.), Merrily We Roll Along (Olivier win). @garethowensound.
JOSH MARQUETTE (Hair Designer). His work has been seen all around the world in such shows as The Greatest Showman, Some Like It Hot, Prom, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Dreamgirls, School of Rock, Aladdin, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Altar Boyz and Mamma Mia! Television faves: “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live.” Insta: @josh_marquette.
JEFF KNAGGS (Make-Up Designer). Broadway: 25th anniversary Mamma Mia! Selected regional: Come From Away, South Pacific, Clue, Beautiful, Beauty and the Beast, Jersey Boys, Waitress, Heartbreak Hotel, Memphis, Dreamgirls, Into the Woods, The Rocky Horror Show, Heathers, Mary Poppins, Sweet Potato Queens, Bonnie & Clyde, A Christmas Story, Joseph, A Christmas Carol, Little Mermaid and Newsies, Pittsburgh CLO—2017–2025 seasons. Cruise Lines: Kinky Boots, Footloose, Six, After Midnight, The Wizard of Oz, Hairspray, Flight, The Effectors. Other regional: Peepshow, Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent and Into the Woods at The Hollywood Bowl.
MURNANE CASTING (Casting) casts for Broadway, tours and regional theater. Current and recent tours include Tina, Dear Evan Hansen, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Sound of Music, Grinch and Kinky Boots. Developmental work includes Anne of Green Gables, The Boy Who Loved Batman, and Fremont Ave. Murnane regularly collaborate with major theaters nationwide, including Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Bay Street, Denver Center, Goodspeed and The Hollywood Bowl. Learn more at murnanecasting.com.
TALITHA FEHR (Music Coordinator). Selected highlights include Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, School of Rock, The Phantom of the Opera, Come Fly Away, A Christmas Story, Cats, Love Never Dies and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. She dedicates this work to her mentor, Sam Lutfiyya.
CAMERON BLAKE KINNEAR (Music Director). National tours: Chicago, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Regional: Wonderland, Disney’s When You Wish, Rock of Ages, Sister Act, Ghost, La
Cage aux Folles, Gutenberg!, 1940s Radio Hour, Big River, Urinetown, Assassins, All Shook Up, Mary Poppins, The Music Man, Rent
NATE COFFEY (Production Stage Manager). National tours: Pretty Woman (North America and Japan), Tootsie and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Other credits include Walnut Street Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. Nate has a B.F.A. in stage management from Syracuse University.
KRISTEN BENNER (Assistant Stage Manager). Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Kristen is thrilled to work on another incredible touring production! Previous touring credits: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Other select credits: Great River Shakespeare Festival, 92NY. SUNY Purchase graduate. Much love to the family and friends who’ve influenced her path.
JOANNE HOLDEMAN (Company Manager). Previous national tours: My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman: The Musical and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. Regional company management work: Utah Shakespeare Festival and San Diego Dance Theater. DFTBA!
WILSON JONES (Assistant Company Manager) is thrilled to be making his professional debut on a national tour! An Arkansas native, Wilson holds a B.F.A. in acting. Special thanks to his family, friends and mentors who have always believed in him.
GREGG DAMANTI (Production Manager) has been lucky enough to spend the past 25 years working in theater. He got his start as a production stage manager at Busch Gardens and later served as production manager for Blue Man Group in New York City. Since joining Crossroads Live in 2018, he’s helped bring shows like On Your Feet! (first national), Cats, Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady (first national), Pretty Woman, Dear Evan Hansen, Elf and now Kinky Boots to the road. All the love to Jen and Ripley—his support system and favorite people to come home to after every tour.
ANDREW TERLIZZI (General Manager) has spent almost two decades touring productions worldwide before joining Crossroads Live as senior general manager. Highlights of his career include Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard: The Musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and West Side Story. He is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
JAYNA NEAGLE (Executive Producer) left her job at The Wall Street Journal Online in 2004 to study theater at Columbia University, where she transitioned her love of creating things with people from news to theater. Since then, she has produced shows for CXL, Running Subway, Cirque du Soleil and BASE Entertainment.
CROSSROADS LIVE (Producer and Tour Management) brings together some of the world’s top producers of live entertainment, now all under one banner. With offices in London, New York, Washington, D.C., Sydney and Melbourne, Crossroads has a global platform that ensures the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End can be embraced by audiences around the world. Crossroads Live North America, under the leadership of Angela Rowles, is an innovative, full-service theatrical production company delivering the Broadway experience to audiences in North America and beyond. Its 2025–2026 season: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Elf The Musical, Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera (Asia), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. xroadslive.com/team/na.
WILLOW WEALTH (Co-Producer) provides curated access to private markets across real estate, private credit, private equity and more. Choose from individual investments, diversified funds or its automated investing solution. Get started at willowwealth.com.
THE ROAD COMPANY (Tour Booking). Founded in 1997 by Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota. In addition to Kinky Boots, current representation includes Wicked, The Outsiders, The Sound of Music, Death Becomes Her, The Great Gatsby, Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future, Beetlejuice and more.
ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING (Tour Marketing & Press) is an integrated marketing agency working with the world’s largest entertainment, consumer, and lifestyle brands, including 85+ Broadway shows over three decades. Current tours: Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, The Great Gatsby, Hadestown, Mamma Mia!, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Notebook, The Outsiders, Riverdance, Some Like It Hot, Suffs, The TwentySided Tavern. Upcoming tours: Just in Time, Operation Mincemeat.
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theater as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theaters in the U.S. and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theater and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
STAFF FOR KINKY BOOTS
For Crossroads Live North America
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jayna Neagle
GENERAL MANAGER
Andrew Terlizzi
Associate General Manager .Emily Miu
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Gregg Damanti
Assistant Production Manager ........................... Drew Neitzey
COMPANY MANAGER
Joanne Holdeman
Assistant Company Manager Wilson Jones
TOUR PRESS AND MARKETING ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING
Andrew Damer
Jennifer Gallagher Scott Praefke
Jessica Cary Davis Anne Waisanen
Adina Hsu Emily Toppen
Maria Bonucchi Amenkha Sembenu Kate W yman
TOUR BOOKING THE ROAD COMPANY
Stephen Lindsay Brett Sirota
Shawn Willett Gracie Lewis Rosa Taylor
Shane Parksmith AnaBella Kalish Marissa Brotz trc.nyc
CASTING MURNANE CASTING
Chad Eric Murnane, CSA Amber Snead, CSA, Elaina Crockett Aly Wein
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ..................
Assistant Stage Manager
Nate Coffey
Kristen Benner
Dance Captain .................................................. Robert Miller
Assistant Dance Captain
Scenic Coordinator
Brianna Clark
Maddie Goddard
Production Carpenter................................G.E. Simmons Falk
Assistant Production Carpenter Greg McGuire
Costume Coordinator Kaitlyn Barrett
Production Stitcher
Associate Lighting Designer
Darrell Wagner
Kirk Fitzgerald
Assistant Lighting Designer ........................... Paul Vaillancourt
Moving Light Programmer
Production Electrician
Assistant Production Electrician
Associate Sound Designer
Jackson Miller
Joel Bulthuis
Matthew Sallee
Russell Godwin
Production Audio .................................................. Matt Davis
R Tracks Programmer
Alyssa Marrero
Hair & Wig Coordinator Liz Printz
Associate Keyboard Programmers .................... Sam Starobin, Tim Crook, Nick Schenkel
Vocal Dialect Coach .......................................Adrianne Moore
Production Assistant Simon Luckow
HEAD CARPENTER ............................... Matthew Lamers
Flyman
Crew Swing .......................................................Jake Gomez
Physical Therapy Company NEURO TOUR
Physical Therapy, Inc.
Physical Therapist ...................................... Jamison Hollowell
Travel/Housing Road Rebel Entertainment Global
Payroll Services ...................................................... Paychex
Insurance EPIC Entertainment & Sports
Social Media Think Tank
Production Photography................................Matthew Murphy
Merchandise Provider The Araca Group
Merchandise Manager........................................Jessica Gray
For Crossroads Live North America
Chief Executive Officer ................................... Angela Rowles
Executive Producer Jayna Neagle
Executive Producer Kori Prior
Vice President of People Operations Charisse Fontes
Vice President of Finance Brian Jacob
Vice President of Marketing ..................... Michael Yuen-Killick
Senior General Manager Andrew Terlizzi
Director of Production................................Heather Chockley
Director of Booking and Engagements ................. Tyler Soltis
Production Manager Gregg Damanti
General Manager .................................... Christine Adamczyk
General Manager Deana Marie Kirsch
Engagement Manager Barrett Newman
Associate General Manager....................................Emily Miu
Tour Operations Manager Suzayn MacKenzie-Roy
Assistant Production Manager .......................... Drew Neitzey
Production Accounting Manager Sheila Lewis
Production Accountant Travis Huebel
Staff Accountant ........................................... Electra Walker
Tour Project Manager Wendy Joy Beckwith Administrative Apprentice Lindsay Weidenfeller
Learn more about Crossroads Live North America and its team: xroadslive.com
CREDITS
Lighting equipment from PRG Broadway. Scenery automation and show control by Show Motion, Inc. Using the AC² computerized motion control system.
SPECIAL THANKS
Kinky Boots rehearsed and held previews at the Clemens Center, Elmira, NY.
Cyndi Lauper wishes to thank her collaborators: Sammy James Jr., Steve Gaboury, Rich Morel and Tom Hammer, Stephen Oremus.
KinkyBootsTheMusical.com
The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.
Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).
Alyssa Cargill
Head Props........................................................ Indy Sulleiro
Assistant Props Quinn Mishra
Head Electrician Aaron Kurland
Assistant Electrician—Spot ................................ Sam Owings
Head Audio
Assistant Audio
Wardrobe Supervisor
Assistant Wardrobe
Mitchel Rieth
Meg Schelling
Melina Hernandez
Carly Peterson
Star Dresser .................................................... Tristen Taylor
Head Hair & Makeup Felicia Deatherage
United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.
STAFF
FOR THE
JOHN GORE ORGANIZATION
Chairman of the Board
Peter Schneider
Chairman and CEO John Gore
Vice Chairman Miles Wilkin
President. ............................................ Lauren Reid
Co-CEO of Interactive Division ............. Jerome Kane
Co-CEO of Interactive Division and CTO ........... Matt Kupchin
CEO of Theatre Division and CMO ............ Rich Jaffe
Chief Financial Officer..............................Paul Dietz
Executive Vice President and Head of International Business Development Kumiko Yoshii
General Counsel Sheila Lavu
STAFF FOR BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
President. ........................................... Susie Krajsa
President, Marketing and Content ........... Bob Bucci
Senior Director, Integrated Marketing ..................... Katherine Theiss
STAFF FOR
BROADWAY IN BOSTON
Vice President. Tivon Marcus
Director of Operations Ryan Gilbert Operations Assistant Em Rihl
Marketing/Communications
Senior Director of Public Relations & Community Relations
Ann Sheehan Director of Marketing Victoria Howell
Marketing & Communications Coordinator ....................................... Sophie Smith
Group Sales
Corporate & Group Sales Manager ............................ Morgan Shattuck Group Sales Assistant ............................. Ben Sarat Sponsorship
Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships .... Jennifer Kelley Chambers Sponsorship Manager ...................... Ashley Rodger Ticketing
Regional Sales Operations Manager .............. Liam O’Connell Ticketing Manager ..................... Glen Briggs-Hayler
ASL Team .................... Takiyah Harris, Cassie Heath, Jess Meyer, Atlas Mirrione, Jordan Whitlow
Audio Description Laura Pailler
Open Captioning c2
WARNING: The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording inside this theater, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection and violations may render the offender liable for money damages.
FIRE NOTICE: The exit indicated by a red light and sign nearest to the seat you occupy is the shortest route to the street. In the event of fire or other emergencies do not run–WALK TO THAT EXIT
SPONSORS
Broadway In Boston is proud to be affiliated with the following sponsors:
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 243 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers either F SPORT models and one F performance model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.
Citizens is the Official Bank of Broadway In Boston
The Godfrey Hotel Boston is the Preferred Hotel of Broadway In Boston
Harvard Pilgrim is proud to support Broadway In Boston
Broadway In Boston offers a comprehensive array of sponsorship opportunities which allow companies to partner with our exciting Broadway theater productions, and reach a highly affluent, well-educated audience, utilizing our high-profile historic venues. Sponsors receive excellent visibility, on-site recognition, VIP ticketing, hospitality benefits, and more.
Contact Jennifer Kelley Chambers, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships at 617.880.2459 or Jennifer.KelleyChambers@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.
STAFF FOR CITIZENS OPERA HOUSE
Principal Owners
Donald Law
The Mugar Family
General Manager ............................ Margaret Doyle
Director of Operations
Darlene Catalfamo
Box Office Manager Robert Foley
Box Office Assistant David Zimmerle
Facilities Manager. Wagner Oliveira
Audience Services Manager Rachel Jensen
Audience Services
Representatives ............ Amanda Barnett, Molly Bercutt, Laura Marie Cancro, Perris Fisher, Alyssa Gallarelli, Christian Kelly, Christina Listro, Daniel Rateau, Caryn Sowa, Reagan White, Oliver Worner, Lauren Zablocki
Director of Production Michael Marchetti
Production Manager Aisling Mehigan
Carpenter James McEvoy III
Prop Master
David Colantuoni
Flyman .......................................... Michael Higgins
Electrician ....................................... Mark Donovan
Production Coordinator .................. Claudia Bennett
Assistant Carpenter ....................Patrick Colantuoni
Assistant Electrician .......................Robert Connors
Assistant Props.................................... Mike Keogh
Wardrobe Supervisor Carol Colantuoni
Hair Supervisor Victoria Porter
Chief Usher Cheryl Farrell-Koyon
Assistant Chief Ushers Ian Carlson, Andrea Nastri
Sodexo Live! Concessions
Managers ............... Stephen Whalen, Sean O’Dwyer
