Kinky Boots

Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, an outspoken and unapologetic drag queen in need of some sturdy stilettos. Lola helps Charlie become that man that he is meant to be as together they turn the factory around. When the two team up, they find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and discover that, when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. The unlikely pair cobble a heartwarming tale of acceptance and friendship told through the intoxicating music of Cyndi Lauper. Flashy, inspiring, and downright fun, Kinky Boots is the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Please join us in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Coming to town to see a friend or family member in Kinky Boots?
Book the Des Moines Playhouse rate at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown and receive a 15% discount off their Best Flexible Rate.
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
435 Park St, Des Moines, IA  50309
Click here for more details. Click here to book your room.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays, ADDED SHOWS: 7:30 PM, Thursday, Apr. 6-Saturday, Apr. 8
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours 20 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.
Download Playbill

Company

  • Ensemble

    Ella Appelbaum

    Ensemble
  • Ensemble

    Michael Beasley

    Ensemble
  • Nicola

    Laura Breyen

    Nicola
  • Ensemble

    Sydney Michelle Castiglione

    Ensemble
  • Young Simon

    Noah Clayton

    Young Simon
  • Simon Sr

    Al Downey Sr

    Simon Sr
  • Young Charlie

    Blake Dreckman

    Young Charlie
  • Pat

    Sarah Florian

    Pat
  • Angel

    Bryan Gamboa

    Angel
  • Ensemble

    Tiara Green

    Ensemble
  • Ensemble

    Michelle House

    Ensemble
  • Mr. Price / Ensemble

    Sam Humphrey

    Mr. Price / Ensemble
  • Ensemble / Lauren cover / Nicola cover

    Brynn Kelly

    Ensemble / Lauren cover / Nicola cover
  • Don

    Brett Middendorf

    Don
  • Ensemble

    Shiloh Mortenson

    Ensemble
  • Lola

    Travis Ness

    Lola
  • Angel

    Mitchell Nieland

    Angel
  • Harry / Ensemble / Charlie cover

    Derek Phelps

    Harry / Ensemble / Charlie cover
  • Ensemble

    Caitlyn Porter

    Ensemble
  • Angel

    Nicholas Quamme

    Angel
  • Ensemble

    Joe Reed

    Ensemble
  • Charlie Price

    Gavin Runles

    Charlie Price
  • Trish

    Jackie Schmillen

    Trish
  • Richard / Ensemble

    Maia Talarico

    Richard / Ensemble
  • Lauren

    Saturn Anya Taylor

    Lauren
  • Ensemble

    Jenny Throckmorton

    Ensemble
  • George

    Heather Tragesser

    George
  • Angel

    Lawrence Walker

    Angel
  • Director

    Adam Yankowy

    Director
  • Music Director

    Tristan Miedema

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Megan Helmers

    Choreographer
  • Scenic Designer / Drag Consultant

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer / Drag Consultant
  • Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Samuel Stephen

    Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer

    SJ Knox

    Sound Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Kerrie Lee

    Properties Designer
  • Fight Coordinator

    Brandon Brockshus

    Fight Coordinator
  • Stage Manager

    Ash Howland

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Choreographer

    Stella Webster

    Assistant Choreographer
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Jonathan Garton

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Katherine Jurado

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Playhouse Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Gavin Runles is Charlie Price and Travis Ness is Lola in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Travis Ness is Lola and Gavin Runles is Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse features (clockwise from top center) Travis Ness as Lola, and Mitchell Nieland, Bryan Gamboa, and Lawrence Walker as Angels. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse features (clockwise from top center) Travis Ness as Lola, and Mitchell Nieland, Bryan Gamboa, and Lawrence Walker as Angels. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse features (clockwise from top center) Travis Ness as Lola, and Lawrence Walker, Mitchell Nieland, and Bryan Gamboa as Angels. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Travis Ness is Lola in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Travis Ness is Lola in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Travis Ness is Lola in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Gavin Runles is Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Gavin Runles is Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Bryan Gamboa is an Angel in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Lawrence Walker is an Angel in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Mitchell Nieland is an Angel in Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Apr. 2, 2023
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: Kinky Boots
Photos: Available at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/kinky-boots/
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Kinky Boots is sponsored by Edward Jones.

Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, an outspoken and unapologetic drag queen in need of some sturdy stilettos. Lola helps Charlie become the man that he is meant to be as together they turn the factory around. Working side-by-side, they find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and discover that, when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. The unlikely pair cobble a heartwarming tale of acceptance and friendship told through the intoxicating music of Cyndi Lauper. Flashy, inspiring, and downright fun, Kinky Boots is the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical.

The Playhouse cast includes Ella Appelbaum, Michael Beasley, Laura Breyen, Sydney Castiglione, Al Downey, Blake Dreckman, Sarah Florian, Bryan Gamboa, Tiara Green, Michelle House, Sam Humphrey, Brynn Kelly, Brett Middendorf, Shiloh Mortenson, Travis Ness, Mitchell Nieland, Derek Phelps, Caitlyn Porter, Nick Quamme, Joe Reed, Gavin Runles, Jackie Schmillen, Maia Talarico, Saturn Taylor, Jenny Throckmorton, Heather Tragesser, and Lawrence Walker. The show is directed by Adam Yankowy with music direction by Tristan Miedema, choreography by Megan Helmers, scenic design by Nicholas Amundson, costume design by Angela Lampe, and lighting design by Samuel Stephen.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. 

Kinky Boots Performances Mar. 17-Apr. 2, 2023
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays
The IRIS Sensation Team will provide audition description at the 2:00 PM, Sunday, Mar. 26, performance. The Playhouse can provide for those who have need for ASL translations with advance notice. Please contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261 to use these free services.

Kinky Boots Tickets 
Tickets start at $29
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515-277-6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312

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Show Credits

Book by Harvey Fierstein

Music & Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

Based on the Miramax motion picture Kinky Boots written by Geoff Deane & Tim Firth

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), www.mtishows.com

Sponsored by

  • Edward Jones