The Lehigh Valley premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy “Kinky Boots” is July 21 to Aug. 6 at The Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem.

With a book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, “Kinky Boots” has music and lyrics by Grammy- and Tony Award-winner Cyndi Lauper in her first Broadway musical.

Based on the 2005 British film, “Kinky Boots,” written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, the musical is inspired by the true story of Steve Pateman, who saved his struggling family-run shoe factory in England from closure by producing women’s shoes for men under the brand-name, Divine Footwear.

Set in the working-class town of Northampton, north of London, “Kinky Boots” tells the story of a failing shoe factory that is set to be turned into apartments after the factory’s owner dies.

The heir to the factory is Charlie Price (Joemichael Luciano Zaragoza), who meets a London drag queen Lola (Andrew Stewart), who is searching for “stiletto heels that will bear the weight of a full-grown man.” Charlie sees an opportunity to save the factory by switching production to making “kinky boots” for men.

However, he faces backlash from some employees, including the toxically-masculine factory foreman Don (Andrew Maldonado) and must deal with his upward-climbing fiancée Nicola (Mackenzie Hall). Thrown into the mix is a hopeless romantic factory worker Lauren (Cat McKenna), who finds herself falling for Charlie.

“Kinky Boots” is directed by Clair M. Freeman. Music direction is by Sebastian Paff. Choreography is by Jonathan Cruz. Costumes are by Todd Burkel. Set design is by Brett Oliveira.

The cast includes Robert Callan Adams, LaQuann Clark, Asher Cooper, Gabriel Isaac Craig, Jaxson Fortunato, Andrew Galindez, Catina Gordon, Evan Heger, Sean McFarland, Jillian McLuhan, Joseph Mowad, Dylan Penyak, Anthony Oyola-Rodriguez, Nate Rosario, Stephen Simone, Sydney Sniezek, Wyatt Steiner and Beth Sucro.

“Kinky Boots,” 7:30 p.m. July 21, 22, 28, 29, Aug. 4, 5; 6 p.m. July 23, 30, Aug. 6, Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-865-6665, http://www.paplayhouse.org

“All Shook Up” at NCC:

Northampton Community College Summer Theatre con concludes its 2023 season with the musical, “All Shook Up,” July 19 to 30, Lipkin Theatre, NCC Bethlehem Township campus.

“All Shook Up” is a 2004 jukebox musical with music from the Elvis Presley songbook and book by Joe DiPietro. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005.

The characters and plot twists in the musical were inspired by William Shakespeare’s comedies “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Twelfth Night,” “As You Like It” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The musical has hit Elvis songs, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”

The production is directed by Bill Mutimer, Northampton Community College Summer Theatre Artistic Producing Director and Northampton Community College Theatre Department Head.

When leather-clad motorcyclist Chad (Max Wetherhold) rides into a small town during the 1950s, mechanic Natalie (Gabi Hondorp) fixes his bike and falls for him. Chad only has eyes for the glamorous Sandra (Jordan Gold).

Dennis (Mason Wold), who has a crush on Natalie, becomes Chad’s sidekick, while Natalie decides to dress up as Ed as a new motorcyclist in town to “be one of the guys” and get close to Chad.

The cast includes Daniel Melo, Nikki Cohen, Myriam Zamy, Shannon Felletter, Jacob Greening, Josh Crowley, Andy Van Antwerp, Janae Gray, Justin Ferguson, Cade Kocher, Marcell Mckenzie, Amanda Akfano, Faith Stack, Jane Lui, Jennifer Brady, Lydia Walker, Tessa DeJesus, Connor Sternberg, Aidan King, Isaiah Elleby, Michael J. Sheridan, Sieanna Rahatt and Tessa DeJesus.

“All Shook Up,” 7:30 p.m. July 19 - 29; 2 p.m. July 23, 30, Lipkin Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. Tickets:484-484-3412, https://www.northampton.edu

Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com