“The Full Monty”

*****  Back in the last century, a film was made detailing steel workers, who were out of work and due to their desperation decided to become male strippers to make some quick money. The film was written by Simon Beaufoy and the American “musical” version has a book by Terrence McNally with music & lyrics by David Yasbeck.  The story takes place in Buffalo and the workers are faced with desperate measures. Under the skilled leadership and direction of Jim Corti who has put together a wonderful cast of players, you get to see “The Full Monty” as never before!

I think I have seen five or six versions of this play. When I say versions, I mean productions on smaller or different stages, with different casts and different direction , and as I always say, a “live” production is always something new. This one surely is. For those who do not understand the term “Full Monty” that means taking everything off in a strip routine rather than just the tease to a “g-string”. That is the thrust of the story as these men, who are in need of dollars and do not want to become security guards at Wal-Mart, decide too do. Jerry Lukowski ( a brilliant performance by Ben Mayne) is our main man. He is divorced and of course behind on child support, so his ex , Pam (Rebecca Hurd is adorable) is threatening sole custody of Son Nathan ( played in rotation by William Daly and *Ellis Myers) with her new boyfriend, Marty (David Moreland).

Jerry’s best friend David ( deftly handled by Jared David Michael Grant) joins him in feeling that this may be the only way to save face with his wife Georgie, ( played to perfection by Veronica Garza) as things have been strained for some time in the bedroom. They know that strippers make money and feel they can do the same. They recruit others to join the group in what starts out as a one-night strip, but as time goes on, a “Full Monty”.

The tryouts are a scream. In particular that of “Horse”, Noah T. Simmons (Bernard Dotson is sheer perfection) and the dancing fool Ethan Girard (Diego Vazquez Gomez is hysterical as he tries to dance up the walls ala “Singing In The Rain”). We also have an amzing performance by Adam Fane as Malcolm MacGregor who finds himself through his chance meeting with Jerry and Dave. The last member of the group is Harold Nichols ( an incredible interpretation by Jackson Evans, who shows more than we are used to seeing of him onstage).

I will tell you that the story is fun, raunchy and honest and maybe not what Aurora may call “Family Fare”, but the younger people in the audience probably understand more than their parents, so if you trust your children, they will have a ball. The raunchiest character , who is very funny with some great lines is the piano player, Jeannette, played by the incredible Liz Pazik . The cast, as I said before ,is made up of some very talented dancers, singers and actors. The ensemble is always a major part of a musical and this one is a winner.

The set  (Michelle Lilly) is amazing with walls moving in and out and props (Aimee Plant) that are terrific. The lighting ( Heather Gilbert) and sound (Adam Rosenthal) were right on and the costumes ( Izumi Inaba) were very fitting for the show. The electronic music by Ethan Deppe was cool and the orchestra under the direction of Korey Danielson brought th emusic to life. The choreography (Tor Campbell) was special and different than any of the previous productions of this show I have seen.

“The Full Monty” will continue thru – Oct 6th with performances as follows: