Cyndi Lauper wants 'Kinky Boots' audience to be inspired, happy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Pop icon Cyndi Lauper has branched into a new arena - Broadway. Her first foray into the genre worked out just fine. She won a Tony Award for writing the music for "Kinky Boots."

"Kinky Boots" is based on the 2005 British movie of the same name. It tells the story of Charlie, who is looking to save his family's beleaguered shoe factory. He reinvents his business to sell sturdy stilettos to men with the help of a feisty transvestite named Lola.

If you don't necessarily peg Lauper as a Broadway fan, you'd be wrong. She grew up listening to musicals. One of her favorite albums is Barbra Streisand's "Funny Girl."

"Barbra does not know how she and I sang together. That's how I learned how to sing. Me and her, like this. I don't know her, she don't know me, but boy, were we close when I was little," Lauper said.

While Lauper wrote the music for "Kinky Boots", Harvey Fierstein wrote the book. They hope audiences will walk away from the musical feeling inspired, with the show focusing on their idea of "six steps of happiness."

"One, pursue the truth; two, learn something new; three, accept yourself and you'll accept others too; four, let love shine; five, let pride be your guide; and six, you change the world when you change your mind," she said.

"Kinky Boots" has been part of Lauper's and Fierstein's lives for almost five years. Lauper says as the Broadway newbie, watching the show never gets old. As for Fierstein, the thrill is watching her enjoy this ride.

"I get to watch the excitement. It's like you have to have kids to appreciate Christmas. This is my kid," he said.

"Kinky Boots" is currently playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. It runs through Nov. 30.