Stark Sands Takes on Broadway with ‘Kinky Boots’

Stark Sands ’01 is revisiting the same situation he was in 12 years ago: playing the lead role in a big musical. But instead of performing in the USC School of Dramatic Arts’ production of Pippin, the alumnus now stars on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre as the main character in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots.

“The stars have really aligned for me, and I’m not sure why, but I’m very grateful,” says Sands, whose Broadway credits include lead roles in American Idiot and Journey’s End.

In Kinky Boots, Sands plays Charlie Price, a man who inherits his family’s shoe factory and must find a way to keep the business afloat. Price runs into a drag queen named Lola who suggests producing high-heeled boots that can support a man’s weight.

“On the surface, it’s a drag musical, but what’s nice and surprising about it is that it has real heart. There’s a lot of storytelling,” Sands explains. “I hope people can take something away from it, maybe make them think differently about people who they wouldn’t even try to understand otherwise. I know it’s a big ask, but if we can touch one person every night, then it’s mission accomplished.”

Sands was nominated or a Tony this year for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical, his second Tony nod since 2007.

He was previously nominated for best featured actor in a play for his work in Journey’s End, a performance that also won him a Theatre World Award.

Kinky Boots took home six Tony Awards in June, more than any other production.

Sands’ costar Billy Porter took the leading-man honors, but praised Sands. “You are my rock, my sword, my shield.Your grace gives me presence,” Porter said in his acceptance speech. “I share this award with you. I’m gonna keep it at my house! But I share it with you.”

Sands acknowledges his rigorous training at USC—and some good fortune—for his career successes. “When I would step out to auditions with this solid theater background, I always walked in really well prepared,” he says.

The actor realized his passion at USC, particularly as the lead in Pippin during his last year of college. Being in the spotlight as the musical’s namesake set him up in a big way, driving him to learn quickly and to realize his love of theatrical acting.

“I always mention USC because it’s a big part of where I am in my career, and another part of it is just luck,” he says.

Sands was also featured in Joel and Ethan Coen’s film Inside Llewyn Davis, an official selection of this year’s Cannes International Film Festival.

Other film roles include Flags of Our Fathers, Pretty Persuasion and Chasing Liberty. Off Broadway he has performed in Twelfth Night and The Tempest, and on television he has landed guest roles on Nip/Tuck, Six Feet Under and Generation Kill.