Sex Is in the Heel (from Kinky Boots): Piano/Vocal/Chords

Lauper's score balances accessibility with theatrical sophistication, giving singers at all levels something genuinely moving to perform. The arrangements by Stephen Oremus make these songs pianistically idiomatic without requiring virtuosity, so your cast can focus on character and story. Programming numbers from this show signals to audiences that you're offering contemporary musical theatre with genuine heart and a fresh perspective on what Broadway can be.

Kinky Boots radiates confidence, humor, and unexpected tenderness. These songs celebrate outsiders, champion self-discovery, and find dignity in the spaces where society says you don't belong. The score swings between infectious pop energy and intimate character moments, all grounded in Lauper's unmistakable melodic voice and her refusal to sentimentalize her characters.

This book serves singers and pianists performing selections from Kinky Boots in concert, recital, or classroom settings, as well as directors programming the full show. Music theatre students benefit enormously from analyzing Lauper's compositional choices across the full score, and experienced singers will relish the emotional range these songs demand.

• Study the character arcs across these numbers before you rehearse. 'Sex Is in the Heel' takes on completely different emotional weight depending on which Lola you're portraying and which moment in the story you're in.
• The arrangements sit well for both legit voices and contemporary singing styles. Don't feel obligated to make everything operatic; Lauper's writing invites authenticity over technique.
• Lauper's melodies have a pop sensibility with specific rhythmic shapes. Drill these carefully with your singers so they land the intended swagger or vulnerability, not just the notes.
• The piano parts carry substantial musical storytelling. Your accompanist needs to shape the harmonies and understand the dramatic arc alongside the singer.

Feature a Kinky Boots medley in a contemporary musical theatre showcase or concert, mixing high-energy numbers like 'Everybody Say Yeah' with character-driven pieces like 'Charlie's Soliloquy.' This collection also works beautifully in a musical theatre history or songwriting class exploring 21st-century Broadway composition. For full-production licensing, this book becomes your rehearsal and performance resource.

• Singing contemporary musical theatre style with rhythmic precision and emotional authenticity
• Accompanying singers through varied harmonic language and dynamic song structures
• Analyzing how music reveals character development and emotional stakes across a narrative arc
• Understanding how pop-influenced melody and harmony can serve theatrical storytelling
• Managing sustained vocal lines and emotional intensity across contrasting song types