Omari Collins is Lola in Kinky Boots, opening April 23 at The Winspear Opera House
(Photo by Mathew Murray)
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
It is almost time to get kinky out in public — for some of you that’s “get kinky out in public AGAIN (no judgment!). On Thursday, April 23, the Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots’ takes over the Winspear Opera House for ATTPAC’s Broadway at the Center series through April 25. Written by Harvey Fierstein with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots is a queer experience from the get-go.
For its gay star Omari Collins (he/him), it’s another day at work.
Collins plays Lola, the drag queen who serves as the catalyst for the story that is centered on Charlie who inherits a shoe shop from his father and struggles to keep it open. Lola needs a fabulous pair of boots. Thus, the two come together to bond over shoes and their similarities — despite their differences.
This tour marks Collins’ seventh time playing the now-iconic Lola. Each time, Collins said he makes a new discovery in the role he’s inhabited many times before. This time around though, he’s discovered a whole new side.
“This is the first time I’ve played her for such a long time,” he said. “So I’ve really had to train and find the stamina and endurance. But also it’s been about finding the pacing of it all. And with us running for such a long time, I don’t want Lola to run stale at all, so I always look for ways to do or say my lines differently and push my body a bit differently.”
Playing Lola isn’t just second nature to Collins; the Kinky Boots’ story resonates deeply with the actor. But Collins also ponders the reason he’s taken on the role so many times.
“I have the skill set, so why not let this story be told through me? Why not take the opportunity to put the message out that we are all so much more alike than we are different?” Collins said.
Collins was raised in Kansas City, Mo., by a single mother. He never had to come out of the closet as he always lived out loud. But support wasn’t ever completely there.
“I always expressed myself the best way I knew how, but that was not always met with open arms and glowing reviews,” he said. “I really tried to stay my course and push through. I wanted to make sure my light shined regardless.”
He credits the strong women who raised him with helping him have the privilege of not having to come out. Collins states that he’s always been — and been able to be — an out loud person. Thus, Kinky Boots’holds a distinct significance for him.
“Being able to tell this specific story has been the most important thing I’ve done in my life” he decalred.
Now, Lola isn’t the only queen in Collins’ life. There is also Scarlett D. Von’Du.
“Well, yes, I’ve been a professional drag queen for about five years now,” he said.
And what would Lola think of Scarlett? “I think they’d be frenemies. Both strong Black ladies at the top of their game but definitely competing for the same spots.”
Kinky Boots’’ opening night is Pride Night, with pre-show activities starting at 6:30 p.m., including a lobby performance by Turtle Creek Chorale, a Pride Night photo op, and opportunities to connect with the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and more.
For tickets, visit ATTPAC.org.