The musical’s underlying theme revolves around two men from different backgrounds who discover they have much in common. Charlie Price and Lola both struggle to find their own identity with fathers who have other ideas. Lola’s father trained him to be a boxer, while Charlie’s dad thought him incapable of running the family’s business. In the finale, the full cast takes center stage in a rousing, joyful, hand-clapping rendition of “Raise You Up/Just Be.” The show is fast paced, with tender moments, much humor and good fun. … the director, the choreographer Kinky Boots director and choreographer, Gary Stanford, Jr., is no stranger to the Mountain Play. He played Hud in the 2007 production of Hair . He attributes his love of music to his grandmother—a jazz singer who toured with Ella Fitzgerald— and to his mother who instilled her own love of music in Gary and his brother Kevin. The brothers would perform throughout the Bay Area at county fairs, nursing homes, wherever there was an audience. “Back then I was mainly a dancer. I learned dance from watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Donald O’Connor and Gene Kelly movies. “ Singing in the Rain was one of my favorites,” Stanford says. “Kevin and I would perform to tunes like ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ and ‘Candy Man.’ It was a lot of fun.” Stanford attended San Jose State University, paying his tuition by teaching music and performing. He graduated with a degree in computer science. In 2019 he retired from computer work to become a full-time musical director, choreographer and performer. “I found my experience in project management translated well to the skills required in directing musicals,” he says. Stanford is the wearer of many hats. He’s director of education at San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon where he devises new programs, hires performers and has budgeting responsibilities. He’s on the board of directors for Z-Space, Woodside Musical Theater, the Hillbarn Theater in Foster City and Mill Valley’s Throckmorton Theatre. “ Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots tells the tale of an English shoemaker who saves his family business by designing footwear for the drag/cabaret market.
perform on the big outdoor stage. “The selection process was tough. Four to five actors auditioned for each part,” Stanford says. “We’ve ended up with an amazing cast. They’re the best of the best.” …cast of characters Actor, teaching artist and vocalist Gillian Eichenberger plays Nicola, Charlie Price’s girlfriend who wants him to forget the factory and move with her to London. Eichenberger is well known to Bay Area audiences. She’s performed with the Ross Valley Players, Sixth Street Playhouse, Novato Theater Company and Throckmorton Theatre. And this won’t be her first time at the amphitheater. She played Frenchy in the 2019 production of Grease . “I’m excited to be returning to Mountain Play and be playing Nicola,” she says. “She’s complex, driven and career focused. Normally I don’t get to play strong characters like that.” Eichenberger is a big fan of Cyndi Lauper. “I love Kinky Boots ’ music. It’s very catchy and energetic,” she says. “Growing up, Lauper’s hit ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ was a favorite.” (Prior to the production of Kinky Boots in June, Eichenberger performed as Taylor Swift in the cover band Swiftly. The free show took place April 19 on the Ross Commons.) Performing the role of Lola/Simon is the one-and-only Miss Jaye. She has ventured far from her Midwest roots. Credits include playing Pam in the off- Broadway production of Miss Step and more recently as the Cassie alternate/dance captain in A Chorus Line . Miss Jaye understudied as Lola four times before landing the starring role at the Oregon Cabaret Theater in Ashland last year. Based on Facebook comments by
has long been on my bucket list of shows I’ve wanted to direct,” Stanford says. “The music’s terrific. It’s storytelling at its best. It’s about inclusion, families, friendships, the relationship between fathers and sons, parents and kids. There’s tender moments and moments
Eileen Grady, executive director and artistic producer of the Mountain Play Association. [Ed Smith Photography]
of joy.” Twenty- five actors will
April 2024
NorthBaybiz 47
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