The 81st Annual Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is Kinky Boots the Musical January 19-27, 2024

 The Dolphin Show

AMERICA’S LARGEST STUDENT PRODUCED MUSICAL PRESENTS…

KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL

WINNER OF 6 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL!

With Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music & Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

Recommended for Ages 10+

We're thrilled to announce that The 81st Annual Dolphin Show is gearing up to bring you an electrifying performance of Kinky Boots the Musical! 

Get ready to be dazzled by this spectacular show filled with fabulous music, incredible designs, sensational choreography, and a heartwarming story that will leave you cheering for more. Our team of over 150 students cannot wait to bring this relevant and powerful narrative to Northwestern’s campus and continue our educational workshops, community outreach efforts, and more. Whether you're a fan of musical theater or just looking for a night of pure entertainment, this is an event you won't want to miss. Save the date and join us for a night of unforgettable entertainment that's sure to knock your boots off!

GET TICKETS NOW

Tickets can be purchased online from Northwestern Box Office or in person at the Norris University Center front desk at 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60201.

How do I access my tickets?

Tickets will be emailed to you after you make a purchase. Please present this PDF either on your screen or printed out when entering the theatre. Make sure to pull up the QR code.

What age is the show recommended for?

Kinky Boots is officially recommended for children ages 10 and older, but children younger than 10 may be suited for the production based on maturity levels and parental involvement. For more information, please visit our parent guide here.

Are there special discounts available for tickets?

Northwestern Students can access $10 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Northwestern Faculty can access $20 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Children under age 18 can access $10 tickets by applying the code TDSstudent10 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order.

Seniors over age 65 can access $20 tickets by applying the code TDSsenior20 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order. 

How can I bring a group to see Kinky Boots?

Group tickets are available for purchase for all performances. Orders with 10 or more tickets will receive a 10% discount on the order. If you are interested in group booking, please reach out to sales@nudolphinshow.org for booking assistance. Group tickets can only be paid for via check (made out to “Northwestern University” with the memo line “Dolphin Show - Group Tix”) or in person with a credit card at the Norris Center front desk.

What if purchasing tickets is a financial burden for me, as a Northwestern student?

The 81st Annual Dolphin Show has partnered with The Student Activities Assistance Fund to offer “pay what you can tickets” to financially support students in attending our upcoming production of Kinky Boots The Musical.

Tickets for undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students are $10. If this is a financial burden, please email sales@nudolphinshow.org to access pay what you can tickets, where you will have the option to pay as little as $0.

What is the Dolphin Show?

The Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is a non-profit student theatre organization that annually produces the largest student-produced musical in the country. It celebrates the diverse talents of the Northwestern undergraduate community by providing opportunities to learn and excel in all artistic and administrative fields. Every year, The Dolphin Show presents a professional-caliber production led by over 150 undergraduate students. Learn more about Dolphin’s mission on our About page.

Where did the Dolphin Show get its name?

The Dolphin Show was named after the Dolphin Swim Club, the Northwestern swim team who presented the first annual Dolphin Show in the Northwestern swimming pool as a fundraiser for their team to travel to competitions. Visit our About page for Dolphin Show’s full history. 

Who can get involved with The Dolphin Show?

Northwestern University undergraduate students of all backgrounds, majors, and experience levels are welcome to work on the Dolphin Show. Students can work on the production in many capacities, including on the business team, the artistic team, the production team, in the cast, or in the orchestra. Dolphin Show’s annual productions are open to the public. 

Click here for information, show photos, tickets and more. 

OPENING: Tony Award Winning Kinky Boots is Back at Cadillac Palace 7/7-26 #OriginalPhotos #OriginalVideos

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows it was our great pleasure to cover the pre-Broadway world premier of Kinky Boots right here in Chi, IL back in 2012! We adored it then and it was such a treat to shoot the press conference with Cyndi Lauper and the uber talented team behind this 2013 Tony award winning musical. 

Now we're elated this production is back in town at Cadillac Palace. Don't miss this! It's one of our top favorites with a great message, an excellent score, and a colorful cast. We'll be there for opening night tonight 6/8/15. So check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. Click here and scroll down for all our Kinky Boots coverage. 

Check out ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama's footage from the press conference of Kinky Boots World Premiere in Chicago in 2012. Here are producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig with background on the movie the show was based on and exciting tidbits about the musical adaptation.

The last time around I brought the whole family and the kids enjoyed it as much as the adults. Kinky Boots has a great message of accepting those different from you, and is fine content wise for most savvy tweens, teens and up.

Check out our prior original video footage of Cyndi Lauper, Composer & Lyricist and Harvey Fierstein, Playwright right here! 

We also have lots of fun stills from the press conference right here, including everyone's fine footwear from kinky boots to leopard heels.

Kinky Boots Opens TONIGHT-Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig Press Conference Video

Check out ChiIL Live Shows HD footage from the press conference.   Here are producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig with background on the movie the show was based on and exciting tidbits about the musical adaptation.


Kinky Boots is in pre-Broadway production in Chicago!   They've been in previews since October 2nd, and opening night is TONIGHT 10/17.    ChiIL Live Shows will be there and we'll have a full review up shortly.  We adored the movie and can't wait to check it out the live, stage adaptation!



Check out our prior original video footage of Cyndi Lauper, Composer & Lyricist and Harvey Fierstein, Playwright right here!    

We also have lots of fun stills from the press conference right here, including everyone's fine footwear from kinky boots to leopard heels.

      Billy Porter/ Stark Sands 

                        Jerry/Harvey/Cyndi 

Billy/Stark/AnnaLeigh

3 Production Photos    Credit:  Gavin Bond

ACT OUT: Theatre Opening, Closing, Postponed, Extended #reviews

Cyndi Lauper & Harvey Fierstein press conference for Kinky Boots currently in previews. Opening night October 17th.

Here's our round up of Chi, IL Live Theatre Shows Opening, Closing, Postponed & Extended(also check out our highly recommended list):

Opening:

Black Watch by National Theatre of Scotland at Broadway Armory -ChiIL Live Shows caught opening night and we were shocked and awed.  This action packed war drama is raw, real and disturbing without glamorizing combat.  In a brilliant way, the seduction of honor, history, and the warrior way stand in stark contrast to the soul killing, psychologically damaging, desert warfare of today.  Black Watch is political without being heavy handed and loud, bright and intense enough to get the message heard.   Highly recommended!

Get your tickets today--short two week run.  

Click here for our past coverage and show details here.

Half price tickets available here. 

Stephen Sondheim's Assassins at Viaduct Theater-ChiIL Live Shows will be there for the opening tonight and we'll have a full review up shortly.  Click here for our past coverage and show details.

Harold and the Purple Crayon at Chicago Children's Theatre (family friendly-ages 3+)-Check out our photo filled feature on the early creative process behind the costumes and set design and show details here.

Here's more of our past Harold coverage including full show details.





Broken Glass at Red Twist-

Red Twist is one of our favorite black box storefront theatres and they consistently impress with high quality, Jeff recommended offerings.  Click here for our past coverage and show details.













Kinky Boots at Bank of America Theatre with Broadway in Chicago-check out our original video footage with Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein and photos from the press conference here.   The show is currently in previews and we'll be there for opening night October 17th.   Can't wait!   

Check back with ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have loads more original video clips and photo filled features coming!




Closing:

Equivocation at Victory Gardens (review)

If you haven't seen this show yet, go already.  Equivocation unequivocally rocks!   Bard nerds will find this show a laugh riot with plenty of Shakespearian references and in jokes.   Yet Equivocation is something utterly unique and new, with biting political commentary, compelling characters, and multilayered meaning.   Highly recommended.  Click here for our past coverage and show details.   

Postponed:

Due to major funding that did not come through, the production of “Unspeakable,” which was scheduled to start performances at the Royal George Theatre Oct. 16, has been postponed until the spring.  More details to come.  Refunds available at point of purchase.

Extended:

After at Profiles Theater (review)

There are plenty of prison dramas, but what happens after?  This slice of life exploration of the aftermath of wrongful conviction is a thought provoking social commentary.  What price can you put on a life unjustly snatched away in a miscarriage of justice.  How does jail time inextricably alter a man?   The characters go well beyond stereotypes and are a unique blend of traits and surprises.   Check it out.   

Three weeks added: now playing through November 4, 2012

Profiles Theatre will extend the Midwest premiere of After by Chad Beckim, directed by guest artist Matt Hawkins.  The production, which opened September 5, will extend for an additional three weeks through November 4, 2012. All original cast members continue in their roles including guest artists Alice da Cunha, Carlos Rogelio Diaz, J. Salome Martinez, Stephenie Park, Gabriel Ruiz and Foster Williams, Jr.  Performances are held at Profiles original venue, The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway.

When a wrongfully imprisoned man is exonerated by DNA evidence after seventeen years in prison, he is forced to re-assimilate into a cold, foreign world of toothbrush shopping, doggy day care, and a friendship with an anxious young woman with secrets of her own. After is a compassionate portrait of a man struggling with the challenges of socializing and the anger he still feels for having his youth unjustly destroyed.

After, written by Chad Beckim, received its World premiere production in September 2011 by Partial Comfort Productions in New York where he is co-Founder and co-Artistic Director. His playwriting credits include …a matter of choice, `nami and Lights Rise on Grace which won Outstanding Play at the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival and finalist for the 2007 Princess Grace Award. Chad holds an MFA in Playwriting from Mac Wellman’s Brooklyn Colleges Program and in July 2007, he was named one of 50 Playwrights to Watch by the Dramatists Guild.

After is the second production of Profiles Theatre’s 24^th season. The 20^th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern opens at Profiles’ The Main Stage on November 15, 2012.  
  
Click here for our past coverage and show details.

Cyndi Lauper & Harvey Fierstein On Kinky Boots #BroadwayinChicago

Check out ChiIL Live Shows' original HD Video footage from the Kinky Boots press conference.


The Second City's second to none in our hearts.   And at the press conference for Kinky Boots' Pre-Broadway World Premiere, everyone from Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper to the producers and cast all expressed their adoration for The Windy City.

ChiIL Live Shows was elated to be invited to the press conference and we'll be reviewing the show opening night on October 17th.   Preview tickets are available right now!    

We rented the indie film the musical was based on and loved it.   It was right on so many levels.   Check it out locally at Facets Multimedia then book your tickets for the live version.  We can't wait to see the adaptation to stage, and we're so stoke that Chi-Town gets to see it first.

Tickets and further info are available here.



PRE-BROADWAY WORLD PREMIERE!

From Grammy® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner JERRY MITCHELL.




Charlie Price has suddenly inherited his father's shoe factory, which has been in his family for generations but is now on the verge of bankruptcy. In trying to save the business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they try to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair discovers that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible.


Featuring a sensational new score by Cyndi Lauper, knockout dancing, and a spectacularly uplifting story, KINKY BOOTS proves that sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out!


Ticket prices are $33 to $100.

Groups of 15+ now on sale! 312-977-1710

Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein Creatives & Cast Members On Kinky Boots #BroadwayinChicago #worldpremier

ChiIL Live Shows shots--Chicago Press Conference 9/28 for World Premier of Musical Kinky Boots (Oriental Theater)

Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein, creatives and cast members....and some seriously kinky boots and sweet shoes, too!


ChiIL Live Shows was stoked to be invited to a press conference with the masterminds behind Kinky Boots.  We dug hearing Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein, creatives and cast members at a press conference earlier in the day.   They all raved about how much they dig Chicago and we're universally enthusiastic about the show and the original indie film that sparked the idea for the adaptation.   Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often, as we'll have loads of original video clips from the conference up soon.

I was slated to volunteer at Facets Multimedia last night--home of one of the largest video rental sources for indie and multicultural film in the nation.   I've volunteered there for 22 years, this month.   I was elated that they not only carry the original Kinky Boots movie, but it wasn't rented out!  After my volunteer shift I went home and promptly watched it.  The movie was as endearing and edgy as the production staff said.  The message of acceptance, cooperation and understanding is timely and right on in all the right ways.   

After the kiddos are in bed, we highly recommend checking out the film, with it's unlikely bond between England's drag queen scene and a struggling, old school, mens' dress shoe maker.    The sociology, psychology, human nature, and good old fashioned great story telling make this culture clash and ultimate blending, completely compelling.

We'll be reviewing the pre-Broadway world premier here after the show runs in previews for a few weeks.   We'll be checking it out on October 17th.    Want in on cheaper preview tixs?    The show starts the 2nd.