Watch CBS News

Cyndi Lauper's Music And Lyrics Hit Broadway Stage

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A pop star and a Broadway legend have joined forces for a new musical.

Cyndi Lauper first burst onto the scene in 1983 with her anthemic hit "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and has since added songwriting, activism and acting to her resume.

The Grammy award winner now adds Broadway composer to her list of accomplishments. She wrote the music and lyrics for "Kinky Boots." Lauper said she had great artistic license with the show.

"I thought, 'wow, I could write two different kinds of music here,'" Lauper told CBS 2's Dana Tyler.

The musical, which opened last week, is a story of friendship, tolerance and determination.

Playwright Harvey Fierstein said he lured Lauper to the project four years ago. He said her professionalism is refreshing.

"She always put herself in the back and what we were doing up front and that's why I think it's so successful," Fierstein told CBS 2's Tyler.

Lauper, a New York City native, said collaborating with a Broadway veteran was nothing like the demands of coming up with hits for a record company.

"He kept saying I could write any kind of music, just had to move the story along. It was the most freeing thing ever," Lauper told Tyler.

The show's 15 numbers are a mix of rock, soul and pop.

"It's not for anyone, it's for everyone," Fierstein told Tyler.

Lauper said the message of the show is to be who you want to be.

"Kinky Boots" is playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Please offer your comments below...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.