Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...A Broadway in Chicago musical downtown still is weeks away. But if you’ve missed the glitz, glamor and joie de vivre of glittery tuner? The Paramount Theatre is here to serve you needs with a colossal production that, as co-designed by Kevin Depinet and Christopher Rhoton, delivers a level of spectacle well in excess of the original Broadway production."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...The increasing ubiquity (and marketability) of drag changes the context of "Kinky Boots," running through Oct. 17 in an appropriately extravagant, way-larger-than-life production at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Based on the 2005 movie of the same name, the musical tale of Lola, a London drag queen who saves a working-class shoe factory, isn't as inherently subversive as it used to be. But as directed by Trent Stork for Paramount's cavernous stage, "Kinky Boots" remains an irrepressible delight. Lauper's music and lyrics evoke all the feels and probably some you didn't know you had. Fierstein's book fails its non-drag leading ladies, but as the story moves from factory floor to fashion show, it engulfs the audience in its exuberance nonetheless."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...The thunderous applause that greeted the "welcome back" announcement made clear how eager this near-capacity audience was for the resumption of in-person, indoor theater in the suburbs. Then again, this being Paramount, the response might just as well have reflected the audience's anticipation for the area's first regional production of the Harvey Fierstein/Cyndi Lauper tuner that premiered in Chicago nine years ago. The Aurora theater is known for showcasing top-tier talent, and "Kinky Boots" is no exception."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...The score alone is a thing of beauty. Lauper's range as a composer is impressive. Her pop-rock score includes club songs, ballads, rock anthems, even a tango-most of them bona fide ear worms. I left the theatre humming her tunes; her tunes are still playing in my head as I write this. The two I am having the most trouble with? The slyly sensual siren-song, "Sex Is in the Heel," and the rousing number at the end of act one, "Everybody Say Yeah.""
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...The Paramount is offering area theatergoers the gift of a superlative revival of the musical Kinky Boots. This is the first staging of a major musical by a local theater in 18 virus-ridden months and the Paramount is a setting a very high bar for musicals that will follow in coming months throughout the metropolitan area."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Kinky Boots, which has been around for 16 years in film and stage, was an excellent choice by Paramount to reboot this amazing musical to preview its opening. Mostly inspired by actual events and based on the 2005 British film Kinky Boots, written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, this musical brings love, truth, and power. It was refreshing to experience all of the glitz, glamour, glitter, and glue after a long period of darkness."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Last night, we attended the opening of this magnificent production. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the productions done at Paramount , or as some of us call it “the house that Corti and Rater built”, since their first production they have wowed their audiences. the critics and of course the Jeff Awards people. Last night was no exception! The pandemic may have slowed them down but they are back in full throttle putting another perfect production on their stage."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Since this joyous musical first premiered in Chicago, where it was originally cobbled, a few changes have created a tighter, better focused show. However, throughout all the glitz and glamour, heels and heart, the message in this Paramount production is stronger than ever: Let love shine; accept yourself and you'll accept others too; let pride be your guide; and, above all else, you change the world when you change your mind. The story is engaging, the characters appealing and the message is so worthwhile, particularly today. "Kinky Boots" absolutely kicks butt and demonstrates, once again, that "Sex is in the Heel." All I can say is that live theatre is, at long last, blissfully back in Chicagoland, so "Everybody Say, Yeah!""
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...It's not a surprise when Aurora's Paramount Theatre sets the musical theatre bar with its splendid production value. And to be sure, its first-since-pandemic-shutdown extravaganza that is Kinky Boots delivers delight to audiences in every possible way."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...The feel-so-good musical, decked with high energy and loads of razzle-dazzle, is the perfect choice to lead theater-goers out of the darkness and into light and laughter. The 2013 Tony award winner for Best Musical features music and lyrics by Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, and a book rooted in fun, love and acceptance by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...“Kinky Boots” is a show that has come of age in the expert hands of Stork and his production team. The relationship between Charlie and Lola challenges us to understand our prejudices, to be more accepting of others and to realize that the person we become is the sum of those around us, our families, friends and coworkers. There are no better examples than the poignant “Not My Father’s Son” and the capstone ballad “Hold Me In Your Heart” two standouts in Wordly’s stellar performance that we will be talking about for a long time."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...This show has the BIG musical production quality one associates with traveling Broadway shows downtown. In addition to the grand spectacle, this mounting of Kinky Boots also focuses on its intimate themes. Though Charlie and Lola strive to build sturdy heels to support flashy footwear, their greater purpose is finding self-acceptance. For those more comfortable with suburban convenience, or city dwellers seeking another dose of Broadway, Paramount Theatre in Aurora is a satisfying choice - with or without chocolate chip cookies."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...Every single major number here is incredibly well-thought-out and performed with absolute gusto by the actor/singer in the role. It seems everyone is glad to be back and is putting their whole hearts into their performances. And with a heartfelt musical like Kinky Boots, it serves the story exceptionally well."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...“Kinky Boots” is, in so many ways, the perfect foray back into live theater. Not only is it all about pivoting, something which many of us are now intimately familiar with, it’s a story about thriving. When Price & Son is facing closure, a serendipitous meeting of Charlie Price (Devin DeSantis) and drag queen Lola (Michael Wordly) inspires an idea: to create a line of women’s footwear for men. Thus, Lola’s Kinky Boots is born!"