Entertainment

‘Boots’ camp

We’ve seen him in pearls and a prayer shawl — happily, not at the same time, but in “Hairspray” and “Fiddler on the Roof” — and his trademark growl has surfaced in everything from “Mulan” to “The Simpsons.” But while Harvey Fierstein is neither seen nor heard in his new Broadway show, it’s full of the “La Cage aux Folles” writer’s favorite things: family . . . self-esteem . . . sequins.

The show, of course, is “Kinky Boots.” Fierstein wrote the book and pop goddess Cyndi Lauper the lyrics, and it opened Thursday to warm reviews. Over the phone from his home in Connecticut, in a rambling conversation punctuated by a barking dog — Lola, one of the two dogs and two cats with whom the four-time Tony winner shares his life — Fierstein schmoozed about shoes, show-biz and more in a voice best described as that of a lovesick seal.

Whose brilliant idea was it to have Cyndi Lauper write the score?

My brother’s. Ron was in the music business and he knew Cyndi’s manager. But Cyndi called me years ago about writing a show about her family. I tried to help her focus on what that show should be, and then we sort of let it be. So when the producers were saying, “I want you to work with this one, with that one”, and I’m going, “Mmm, this isn’t doing anything for me,” my brother said, “Why don’t you call Cyndi?” and I said, “Oh my God, that’s genius!” I saw her in “Threepenny Opera” and saw she had very good theater instincts. Once you’ve tackled Kurt Weill, other stuff is easy.

How easy was it?

We’d have long, long phone calls, and she’d keep asking questions, but we really do like each other, which helps. I kept saying to her, “This is like having a child together.” Jerry Herman and I wrote “La Cage” 30 years ago, and we have to make decisions about our child every now and then. We’re tied together for the rest of our lives. I don’t think Cyndi gets that yet. She sent me a couple of notes this week saying, “I’m really very unhappy that this is over soon, because I love hanging out with you guys.” She’s already pushing to start another project. I think we’ll work together again, but a little break is nice!

“Kinky Boots” is about fathers, sons and expectations. What was that like for you?

My father worked in a factory manufacturing handkerchiefs. He had a third-grade education — his mother died in childbirth and he was brought up in an orphanage. It was a little “Oliver Twist,” but not quite as bad. That’s why family was so important to him. But he really thought my brother and I were going to starve to death — he called us the bandites, Yiddish for thieves — because he figured we couldn’t make an honest living, even though I got my degree in teaching and my brother was in law school.

Was it hard for you to come out?

No, because I was always that kind of kid. When I was 5 years old, I had a baby doll and carriage. I see this stuff now, about kids cross-dressing, and I think, “God, these kids are going to grow up without so much pain!”

“Kinky Boots” is also about the boots. Where did you get your gear when you did drag shows?

If you had money, you could go to Lee’s Mardi Gras, which was for heterosexual transvestites. It was on the second floor, in the 40s. You’d ring the bell and they’d look out the window to see if you were OK to let in. But shoes cost money! So we went up to Harlem, because black ladies had bigger feet. It’s a terrible stereotype, but that’s where the larger sizes were.

The drag queens in the show are stunning. Many women will feel a twinge of envy.

Well, they work really hard at having those bodies! But some things should be between a girl and her dresser. When Charlie Sutton, who plays one of the Angels, holds up a sign at the boxing match, it looks like he’s practically naked, but he’s not. He’s wonderful.

He’s also a former Cagelle. Is “Kinky Boots” a kind of sequined sequel to “La Cage”?

That’s like telling David Mamet he’s writing too many shows about heterosexuals! Just because there are drag queens, it’s not the same thing at all. The message of “La Cage” is that gay marriage is as legitimate as straight. “Kinky Boots” is about self-esteem and the healing we all have to do. If you’re coming to see “La Cage,” it’s not what you’re going to get.

When do we get to see you onstage again?

I’ve just finished writing a new play. It’s an ensemble, but something I’d really enjoy being part of. I love to be challenged, but I don’t get offered stuff that’s interesting. I did “The Good Wife” last year as a judge and they asked me back, but it’s the same thing. I did a guest spot on “Smash,” but I was playing myself. I got asked to play a dresser in an independent film, but the most exciting line was, “Put your pants over there.” Cookie, life is more interesting than that!