The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Blog

Exclusive interview with Andy Kelso and Annaleigh Ashford of ‘Kinky Boots’

By John Moore

We recently caught up backstage with Tony Award nominee Annaleigh Ashford and Andy Kelso, both Denver-area natives in leading roles in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway. Andy, who has performed at Country Dinner Playhouse, the Arvada Center and others, was promoted to the lead role of Charlie on Jan. 28. The pair talk about being in the right place, how to survive long employment gaps and share sensible advice for youngsters with Broadway dreams.

Ashford has been in a number of high-profile Broadway productions, including “Legally Blonde” and “Hair,” but reveals here that all the way up to the first night of technical rehearsal for “Kinky Boots,” she was surviving on babysitting money. Kelso was a member of the Broadway cast of “Mamma Mia” for three years.

Ashford graduated from Wheat Ridge High School; Kelso from Eaglecrest High in Aurora. “Kinky Boots” won the 2013 Tony Award for best new musical.

Catch our fun and far-reaching interview here. Video by John Moore. 

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