John Jeffery Martin Rocks It in Kinky Boots as Charlie Price Understudy

As a reviewer, I always find understudies and replacement players fascinating in a show.  Sometimes they simply fill in, not quite managing to provide the star power needed for a role; for example, everyone noticed the absence of Kristin Chenoweth in Promises Pomises or Nick Adams in Priscilla.  Other times they can change the entire tone of the show in novel and unexpected ways, as with Kyle Dean Massey in the role of Gabe in Next to Normal.  But most of the time, the depth of talent on Broadway allows another actor to shine in a role.

John Jeffrey Martin

It was with these questions in mind that I watched John Jeffrey Martin filling in for Stark Sands in Kinky Boots, as Charlie Price.

Full disclosure, I have seen Mr. Martin over the years perform in various venues, like the New York Musical Theater Festival and NY Fringe and my expectations were high to begin with.  (If you haven’t attended one of these festivals, you are missing out.  These are amazing locations to see some of New York’s best and newest talent up close and inexpensively.)

Mr. Martin’s Charlie Price did not disappoint.   The artistic differences between Mr. Sands and Mr. Martin are minor.  Stark Sands infuses the role with slightly more lightness and humor, making some of the earlier interactions with Lola a bit funnier.  Mr. Martin infuses Charlie with a bit more resignation, making the later interactions with Lola a bit more poignant.  The changes are subtle and the audience reacts to both actors jubilantly.   They are both excellent in the role.

Really excellent. 

Subway shot as a member of the Ensemble

When John Jeffrey Martin finishes the first act, people return to their program, surprised to see that the actor playing Charlie is an understudy.  

The role, the production and the very fine cast, all hum along without missing the slightest beat.  Mr. Martin’s cast mates, particularly Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford and Lena Hall, maintain the same vital connections to Charlie when played either by Mr. Sands or Mr. Martin. 

The high point for Mr. Martin in the role of Charlie occurs during the song “The Soul of a Man”. In this number, he lets his harder edged vocal chops run free and raises the roof.  It is a great moment, moving immediately to Mr. Porter’s song, “Hold Me in Your Heart” which also grabs the audience.  These two songs whip the audience into the finale of the show, never letting them catch their breath.

If you happen to see Kinky Boots, and find John Jeffrey Martin is playing the role of Charlie Price, don’t worry in the slightest.  The kid rocks it.