Take What You Got (from Kinky Boots): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This complete vocal score captures one of Broadway's most joyful and emotionally intelligent musicals in one place. The arrangements by Stephen Oremus honor Lauper's melodies while remaining singable and playable at the piano, making the score accessible for rehearsals, lessons, and recitals without sacrificing theatrical flair. The inclusion of production photos brings the story and characters to life, helping singers understand the context and energy of each moment.

These songs radiate warmth, humor, and unexpected tenderness. The score moves from intimate character moments to explosive ensemble celebrations, always grounded in genuine emotion and an unshakeable sense of joy. Whether swelling with anthemic joy or whispering with vulnerability, the music invites performers and listeners into a world where authenticity and compassion triumph.

Vocalists preparing songs from Kinky Boots for recitals, auditions, or classroom performance will find reliable, singable arrangements in this book. Pianists accompanying singers will appreciate having all the accompaniment figures and chord symbols in one carefully edited volume. Music theater students and Broadway enthusiasts will treasure the complete vocal score alongside the production photography.

• Pay close attention to the rhythmic displacement and syncopation in the arrangements; Oremus writes in a contemporary pop-theater idiom that rewards precise, confident ensemble work from piano and voice.
• Find the emotional specificity in each song's lyric before worrying about the notes. These songs tell a story about acceptance, identity, and love; singing them authentically means connecting to what the character needs in each moment.
• Balance the piano accompaniment to support without overwhelming the vocal line. Many arrangements feature busy accompaniment figures that can easily bury the melody if the dynamic relationship isn't carefully managed.
• Explore the range of character voices in the score. From the tender introspection of Charlie's Soliloques to the infectious energy of ensemble numbers, each song has a distinct personality that should be reflected in tone and delivery.

Incorporate individual songs into voice recitals or showcase concerts designed around musical theater repertoire; "Take What You Got" and "Not My Father's Son" work particularly well as stand-alone pieces. Use the book in a theater music ensemble course to examine contemporary Broadway composition and arrangement techniques. Feature selections in a show tune recital or include them as part of a program celebrating diverse musical theater voices.

• Navigating contemporary pop-influenced rhythms and syncopation in a theater context
• Interpreting character and emotional subtext through song
• Managing piano/vocal balance in arrangements with active accompaniment figures
• Sight-reading chord symbols and realizing improvised accompaniment variations
• Understanding arrangement choices and how they support vocal storytelling