“Kinky Boots” has big shoes to fill.

The musical comedy, in its debut through July 30 at Bucks County Playhouse, is raucous, sentimental and thought-provoking.

The show, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, is based on the 2005 British film of the same title written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, which was inspired by a 1999 episode of a BBC2 documentary television series. The musical and film are based on a true story that began in a factory in Northampton, England.

The shoes to fill include Fierstein’s own musicals, “La Cage aux Folles” and “Torch Song Trilogy,” and the original film.

The Broadway show, which ran 2013-2019, was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, receiving six Tonys, including Best Musical, Score, Choreography and Actor (Billy Porter).

In the musical comedy, Charlie Price (Jimmy Brewer) inherits his father’s failing shoe factory. To keep the business going, Charlie decides to manufacture a line of high-heeled boots for drag queens, forming a partnership with Lola (Richard E. Waits).

Bucks Playhouse “Kinky Boots” Co-Director Sheryl Kaller and Co-Director-Choreographer Hope Boykin deserve a lot of credit for the show’s success, with the actors’ high-energy dance-club moves driving the production.

Adding to the frivolity is the Costume Design by Haydee Zelideth Antunano, Hair, Wig and Makeup Design by Earon Chew Nealey and Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman.

The Scenic Design by Anna Grigo recreates a gritty factory scene and transforms the stage for other set pieces and a fabulous finale.

Music Director Chris Burcheri, conducting from the keyboard a five-piece ensemble, and Beth Lake, Sound Design, keep dialogue, singing and musicians in good form.

The Bucks show, seen June 26 for this theater review, is anchored by two stellar leads: Waits (Lola) and Brewer (Charlie). Their voices embrace on the ballad duet, “I’m Not My Father’s Son.” The song movingly summarizes each character’s relationship with their fathers.

Showing another side, Waits and Brewer rock out on the rousing Act 1 closer, “Everybody Say Yeah,” backed by the Angels (Kyle Caress, Michael Francis McBride, Emilio Ramos, William Robertson, each of whom is an amazing performer) and the Ensemble.

The songs by Lauper are a pastiche of pop music and Broadway styles.

Among the most memorable are the spotlight solos, “The History of Wrong Guys,” rendered with aching solipsism by Scarlett Walker (Lauren), and “So Long, Charlie,” presented as the ultimate kiss-off by Mikaela Nina Secada (Nicola).

Special mention goes to Michael Thatcher (Don), a standout throughout, but especially in “What a Woman Wants” with Waits (Lola), Amy Hillner Larsen (Pat) and the Ensemble.

The show’s tremendous closing number, “Raise You Up/Just Be,” by the Full Company is so dynamic and hot, you may want to take a dip in the nearby Delaware River to cool off.

Kudos and a big thank-you to the entire 22-member Bucks Playhouse cast for the opportunity to walk a mile in their heels.

If you’re looking for a fun outing at the theater, take a walk on the wild side of New Hope with “Kinky Boots.”

According to a statement (as of July 14) on the Bucks County Playhouse website: “The production of ‘Kinky Boots’ is taking a brief pause. Due to positive test results for COVID-19 among the cast and crew, we regrettably must pause our production of ‘Kinky Boots’ and cancel performances through July 17. Performances are scheduled to resume July 19.”

“Kinky Boots” continues July 19-30, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St. New Hope. The wearing of face masks is required by theater-goers inside the Playhouse. Tickets: https://bcptheater.org ; 215-862-2121