Darren Craig, Earl Gregory, and More Will Lead the SA Premiere of KINKY BOOTS at The Fugard Theatre

The cast has been revealed for the hottest production of the year - the eagerly awaited South African premiere of the multiple Tony award-winning musical KINKY BOOTS. Presented by Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre,a brand new, original production of this huge-hearted, smash-hit musical will run at The Fugard Theatre from 11 June 2019.

Creating the role of shoe factory owner Charlie Price is Darren Craig (Grease,High School Musical), with Earl Gregory (Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) stepping in to the role of drag queen Lola. Namisa Mdlalose (The Colour Purple, King Kong) is Lauren, Amy Campbell (Tiger Bay, SA's Got Talent) is Charlie's girlfriend Nicola and Nathan Ro (Lonehill Estate, Project Fame) is Don.

Joining them on stage are Stephan van Huyssteen (Rock of Ages, Big Top Rock) as Harry, Lucy Tops (Shakespeare in Love, Funny Girl) as Pat, Lindy Abromowitz (Offbeat Broadway, Stepping Out) as Trish, Ralph Lawson (A Voice I Cannot Silence,Amadeus) as George and Glenn Swart (Immortal, Show Boat) as Mr Price.

Tshepo Ncokoane (Snow White, Priscilla,Queen of The Desert) is the Lola Alternate, and he joins Phillip Schnetler (Priscilla,Queen of The Desert, Annie), Chester Martinez (Rockville2069 The Musical, Ikapa Dance Company) and Emile Doubell (The Rocky Horror Show, Footloose) as the Angels at The Blue Angel Nightclub.

Also performing in the ensemble are Shaleeni Ranchhod (Footloose, Mamma Mia), Catherine Isaacs (Antony and Cleopatra, Shattered), Shelley Adriaanzen (Cabaret, Show Boat), Julio Jantjies (Langarm, West Side Story), Nathan Muller (Langarm, The Full Monty), Dean de Klerk (Gardening and Other Distractions,Ordinary Days), and Lee van der Merwe (West Side Story, Immortal).

Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS was first brought to life on the big screen in 2005 before being transformed into a hit musical, winning six Tony and three Olivier Awards.

KINKY BOOTS features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Tony Award for Best Original Score, Tony Award for Best Choreography and Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, KINKY BOOTS has played to sold out houses on Broadway and in the West End since 2013. This mega-hit is a must see for all Musical Theatre fans.

"I'm so excited to bring Kinky Boots and its message of love and acceptance to South Africa, especially as it celebrates 25 years of Democracy. Audiences around the world have embraced the show, and I can't wait for South Africa to experience the joy that Kinky Boots brings to people!" - Cyndi Lauper

The story: Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father's shoe factory, Price & Son, 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, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair 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 Fugard Theatre's KINKY BOOTS is brought to you by the same creative team behind the Fugard Theatre productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl and West Side Story. Direction is by Matthew Wild, Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Choreography by Louisa Talbot. Costume design is by Birrie Le Roux, Set Design by Paul Wills and Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell. Sound Design is by Mark Malherbe.

"We are honoured to be presenting the South African premiere of this Tony Award- winning, feel-good musical," says Daniel Galloway, Managing Director of The Fugard Theatre. "KINKY BOOTS is a beautiful story of hope, friendship and inspiration that highlights we are not as different to each other as we think. Add in the fabulous music, glittering costumes and breathtaking choreography, this is an unmissable night of fun!

This production has a recommended age restriction of no under 10 year olds.

KINKY BOOTS will be performed at The Fugard Theatre from 11 June 2019 on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a matinee performance on Saturdays at 3pm. Sunday Matinees at 3pm will become available from Sunday 30 June 2019. Tickets starting from R160can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre's website at www.thefugard.com.