Photos provided by Matthew Murphy

Drag queens are getting more love than ever before and Cyndi Lauper’s bubbly pop sound never goes out of style, so when she turned towards the soundtrack for the sparkling “Kinky Boots,” it quickly swooped up six Tony Awards (including “Best Musical”). In other words, it makes perfect sense that the glitzy, high-heeled musical featuring a book by four time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein and direction/choreography from fellow Tony recipient Jerry Mitchell is back on tour and swinging through Chicago, which was also the very first city to see stuffy shoemaker Charlie Price and ultra-fabulous performer Lola form an unlikely partnership inspired by actual events.

At the core, it’s a story of unconditional friendship and banding together to save an ill-fated situation, which alongside Lauper’s memorable newer tunes, make for a joyfully unlikely journey filled with glamour and emotion.

This time through, those leading roles are respectively played by Adam Kaplan and J. Harrison Ghee, who have no trouble filling this show’s lofty boots with a comical, caring and often times outrageous interplay. Though they are total polar opposites in terms of clothing style and personality, Charlie and Lola were actually both raised by domineering dads who had a particular vision for their sons that neither ever genuinely embraced.

However, when Charlie’s father suddenly passes away, he has no choice but to put his marketing job and wedding planning on hold to take over the floundering Price & Sons shoe factory. Although he initially meets the feminine-looking Lola outside the business by trying to save her from a robbery, he quickly learns the drag queen who was born with the name Simon is actually a professionally-trained boxer more than capable of self-defense.

In the midst of that chance passing, the two quickly see a way to work together when Lola complains about not having sturdy enough heels to support the frame of a man and Charlie sees the opportunity to nurture a niche market that could rescue the company. Of course, he has to convince the highly skeptical, sometimes intolerant staff that the scheme could be their ticket out of bankruptcy, though thankfully, he earns the support of potential love interest Lauren (Tiffany Engen) and his father’s level-headed assistant George (played by the legendary Jim J. Bullock of “Too Close For Comfort,” “Hollywood Squares,” “Alf” and “Spaceballs” fame).

Even after everyone else reluctantly gets on board, a whole new set of issues unfolds, such as the friction between Charlie and his fiancé Nicola (Ellen Marlow) over the extended work hours, followed by a stereotypically masculine co-worker named Don (Aaron Walpole) who challenges Lola to a fight, but winds up getting his clock cleaned. Nonetheless it’s that originally close-minded character who helps change everyone’s attitudes, not just about the fleet of drag queens slated to model the company’s fabulous footwear on the runway in Milan, but also their boss when he flies off the handle during the very last stretch of deadlines.

Whether it’s accepting someone for who they are, respectfully treating co-workers or clearly communicating throughout a romantic relationship, “Kinky Boots” is loaded with lessons for everyone, but never comes across as heavy-handed or agenda-based. At the core, it’s a story of unconditional friendship and banding together to save an ill-fated situation, which alongside Lauper’s memorable newer tunes, makes for a joyfully unlikely journey filled with glamour and emotion.

“Kinky Boots” continues various dates and times at the Oriental Theatre through September 4. For additional details, visit BroadwayInChicago.com and KinkyBootsTheMusical.com.

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