The 81st Annual Dolphin Show Presents: Kinky Boots

Who We Are:

The Dolphin Show, the largest student-produced musical in the country, brings together over 100 undergraduate administrators, designers, technicians, actors and musicians every year to mount a high-quality production in Cahn Auditorium. The final product—complete with intricate costumes, a breathtaking set, and a full orchestra— – is a theatrical celebration shared among the Northwestern, Evanston and Chicagoland communities. The Dolphin Show affords students from all corners of campus the opportunity to work in a professional artistic environment. Every student, regardless of previous experience, has the opportunity to expand their skill set and learn what it means to be part of a high-functioning team. This spirit of joy and inclusion ultimately radiates far beyond Northwestern’s campus —over 3,000 people attend our show each year. 

Our 81st Year:

This year The Dolphin Show is proud to present the award-winning musical Kinky Boots! With a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie, a struggling shoe factory owner in Northampton, England, who teams up with a fabulous drag queen named Lola to save his business by creating high-heeled boots for drag performers. Together, they discover the power of acceptance, friendship, and the importance of being true to oneself through the world of glamorous footwear. While this show has been produced before, we aim to use our resources to provide hope and light to the drag communities in the greater Chicago area, especially given our current political atmosphere. Kinky Boots is a show about joy, community, loss, hope, and, of course, boots! We are very excited to promote acceptance of all communities and celebration of differences and authenticity through this story, highlighting the drag community and its contribution to embracing one's authentic self. With this show, we hope to demonstrate the power of art, as well as showcasing a beautiful story about growth and change.

Why We Need Your Help:

Dolphin’s scale demands a massive production budget, one that cannot be fulfilled by ticket sales and university funding alone. That’s where you come in—with the support from our community of friends, family, and alumni, Kinky Boots will be one of the biggest and most celebratory Dolphin Shows to date!

Most notably, gifts from our supporters allows us to keep admission to The Dolphin Show uniquely affordable. Telling a story of courage, authenticity, and self-expression, it is uniquely important to make Kinky Boots accessible to broader and more diverse communities of the Northwestern student body, Evanston residents, and those across the Chicago area. 

Please consider making a gift in support of this wonderful production. Any amount is deeply appreciated. Share this link and other Dolphin-related content on social media, and while you are there, follow us on Instagram and Facebook! To subscribe to our newsletter and for more information on our organization, please visit our website, nudolphinshow.org