“These boots were made for a long run” paraphrases the New York Times in its glowing review of the 2,505-performance, six Tony-winning “Kinky Boots.” This sassy, joyous Broadway musical smash about friendship and the belief that “you can change the world if you change your mind” comes to the Kravis in West Palm this Thursday, May 16. With music by pop star Cyndi Lauper and music by Harvey Weinstein, “Kinky Boots” was inspired by true events, according to the Kravis promo. It struts its stuff from a shoe factory in Northampton to the catwalks of Milan to tell the story of Charlie, a shoe factory owner struggling to save the family business. Lola is a “fabulous entertainer” who has an exciting, crazy idea. With “a little compassion and a lot of understanding” (and glitter), the unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences, and creates a line of “sturdy stilettos unlike anything the world has seen before,” fabulous, thigh-high, red and glittery. In the end, though, their best achievement is their friendship. I loved this sole-ful, feel-good musical, and I expect you will, as well. Curtain: 8 p.m. Tickets: $119. 561-832-7469.
The A.C.T. Studio Theatre in Stuart sends out a Nerd alert. Author Thomas Disch said of Larry Shue’s comedy play “The Nerd” that it “has whole half-hours that border on the moronic,” yet it “racks up more laughs, and louder, than any farce this side of (award-winning British playwright and director) Alan Ayckbourn.” The two-act play concerns the dilemma of a young architect “who is visited by a man who saved his life in Vietnam.” Problem is, says Wikipedia, his “hero” turns out to be “an inept, bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, less tact and no desire to leave.” In addition to all the laughing, there are twists and turns aplenty, and a denouement that might catch you by surprise. At some point in this hilarious play, “disbelief ceases to be suspended,” Disch observes. Find out for yourself this now through May 19, when “The Nerd” hits the boards at A.C.T. in Stuart. Curtain: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. Tickets, $25 (going fast). 772-932-8880.
Aunt Maggie, the poor dear, possibly poisoned her cat. And her husband. Find out for sure, or not, when the Barn Theatre in Stuart presents the comedy “Just a Little Crazy,” now through May 26. And, warns the show promo, Aunt Maggie is only one part of the “circus of confusion” Nola finds when she goes back to her parents’ home following a tiff with her boyfriend. Seems Mom is grappling with repairs and redecoration of the house, and Dad declines to help, and escapes to work. Then there’s the missing money. And the boyfriends. Curtain: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – 8 p.m.; Sundays – 3 p.m. Tickets: $15 and $25. 772-287-4884.
