Callum Francis, who starred in the U.K. and Australian tours of Kinky Boots, makes his Broadway debut as Lola in the Tony-winning musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre beginning January 11.
Francis will play the role through March 17, succeeding J. Harrison Ghee, who departed the show January 10. However, Ghee will return to the role March 19 through the show’s final performance April 7.
January 11 also marks the return of original Kinky Boots ensemble member Andy Kelso. The actor, who first played Charlie Price in January 2014, again steps into the role through the musical's last show.
For his performance in the Australian tour of Kinky Boots, Francis received the 2017 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical. He also appeared in the original London production of Kinky Boots; his other West End credits include Miss Saigon, The Lion King, and Ghost.
“I am so excited and honored to be able to join the incredible Kinky Boots company on Broadway,” Francis said in an earlier statement. “I’ve been so lucky to have been able to play the fabulous Lola to audiences in the UK and Australia. Broadway has always been a dream of mine, and I am thankful that I get to continue to play this role that inspires love and acceptance.”
As recently announced, Tiki Barber, a former American Football running back who played for the New York Giants for ten seasons, will take over the role of Don January 21–March 3.
SEE WHAT ELSE IS COMING TO BROADWAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE
The winner of six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.
The current Broadway cast also includes Carrie St. Louis as Lauren, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Caroline Bowman, Marcus Neville, James Delisco Beeks, Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald, Fred Odgaard, Kyle Post, Joey Taranto, Corey Mach, Natalie Joy Johnson, Jennifer Perry, Adinah Alexander, Eugene Barry-Hill, Stephen Berger, Damien Brett, Justin Colombo, Alfred Dalpino, Holly Davis, Stephane Duret, Mia Gentile, Blair Goldberg, Cooper Lantz, John Jeffrey Martin, Julia McLellan, Michael Milkanin, Connor Mills, Christian Mullins, Nathan Peck, and Eric Walker, Jr.
