The musical Kinky Boots is based on a true story, one of those stories so unlikely that is has to be true. Aired in 1999, a BBC documentary series profiled a struggling family shoe factory in Northamptionsire and the rather creative way the owner turned the struggling factory around. The story first inspired a 2005 film of the same name, and that film inspired producer Daryl Roth and director Jerry Mitchell to bring the story to the stage.
Kinky Boots received critical praise, not to mention a season best 13 Tony nominations. It won 6, including Best Musical. Lauper won for Best Score, making her the first woman to win the category solo. The Broadway production promises to enjoy a long run, and touring productions will bring the musical to cities around the world.