The crowd outside the Al Hirshfeld Theatre on a frigid weeknight in 2015 is upbeat verging on ecstatic as it waits to take in 2013’s Tony-winning Best Musical, Kinky Boots. Surely they fit the show’s target demographic: “men, women and those who have yet to decide,” and, should this be their first encounter with the Harvey Fierstein-Cyndi Lauper collaboration, they are seriously ripe for what can only be called the Kinky Boots “wow factor.”

Photo: Matthew Murphy

With the perfect blend of heart (a Fierstein signature) and music (Lauper’s score rocks the house with show-stoppers, like the killer Act I finale, “Everybody Say Yeah”), Kinky Boots is as fresh today as it was when it opened. The show also shines when it comes to subject matters: acceptance, loyalty, thinking outside the box and, of course, customized femme fatale footwear for men—hence the cherry red patent leather thigh-high title characters that roll off the conveyor belt of Price and Son’s shoe factory.

Modeled after the 2005 Miramax film of the same name and based on actual events, Kinky Boots is a musical whose catalyst for the storyline surrounding Charlie Price—the “and Son” (played by Andy Kelso) who inherits the nearly bankrupt company from his father—is Lola, a flamboyant drag headliner at London’s Blue Angel Club. Fans of the film will find that Fierstein’s script closely follows the trajectory of the movie, from Charlie’s angst at having to implement layoffs, to his budding romance with quirky factory worker Lauren (Jeanna de Waal), to the accidental encounter with Lola that compels him to shift the factory’s inventory from men’s oxfords to men’s cha-cha heels, leading up to the launch of Lola’s edgy boot designs on a runway in Milan.

Breaking News: Billy Porter, who picked up a Best Actor in a musical Tony Award for his stellar portrayal of Lola/Simon, is stepping out of anything remotely stiletto for three months (January 27th through April 26th). But fear not, taking over is Kyle Taylor Parker who, after playing one of Lola’s “Angels” in the original Broadway show, debuted the role in the First National Touring Production last September to rave reviews:

“Parker’s unflagging energy, sultry voice and eloquent body language are equally at home doing drag numbers, torch songs or showing the intense discomfort of a three-piece suit.” –Weekly Las Vegas

“His solo, “Hold Me in Your Heart,” will move you to tears, as it is so uncannily reminiscent of the late Whitney Houston.” –Las Vegas Sun

Bottom Line: Nothing zaps a bitter winter better than a great Broadway musical; bonus points for glitz, glam and heart. Kinky Boots is playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W. 45th St. For tickets, click here.