'The Full Monty' a full evening of fun
Published on Wed, Nov 3, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Arts & Entertainment
Village Theatre has opened its 2010-2011 season at the Everett Performing Arts with a musical comedy that goes all the way. And in this case, that's a good thing.
"The Full Monty" is based on the 1997 film about six unemployed and desperate men who decide to form a striptease act to earn some money. The musical version transports the story from Sheffield, England, to Buffalo, New York, while maintaining the dilapidated, deserted industrial feel that drives the story.
First off, it's important to note that, even though there is a child actor in the show, this is not a musical for kids. Another observation: it's doubtful anyone will leave the theatre humming tunes from the show. The score, which is beautifully rendered by the orchestra and the singers, nevertheless has a gritty feeling that resonates with the discord that has overtaken the characters' lives.
Most of the impressive set has the appearance of rusted metal, with very little color. To underscore the characters' working-class status, many of the props and set pieces are brought on stage by the actors rather than stagehands.
But don't let all this give the impression that the show is drab. On the contrary, "The Full Monty" is a colorful story of hope, redemption, self-discovery and the importance of friends and family.
And, oh yes, male strippers.
Director Jerry Dixon knew the story was about much more than the men's bare butt cheeks, though.
"Despite the terribly hard times these men have fallen on, none of them are trying to leave their lives in Buffalo," Dixon commented. "They just want to find a way back to the town they once knew. Back to work. Back to better times. Back to feeling worthy of being called a man."
Dane Stokinger, who played Elvis in the Village's production of "Million Dollar Quartet" last season, tackles the role of Jerry Lukowski with charm and gusto. Stripping for a one-time payday is Jerry's idea, and he has the unenviable job of convincing five other "regular men" to join him while justifying the plan to his ex-wife and young son. Stokinger shows us a proud man who now questions his own self-worth while desperately trying to hold on to a relationship with his son.
Jack Holmes plays Jerry's 12-year-old son Nathan, and he is fantastic in the role-- believable, precocious without being annoying, with spot-on delivery and timing. This young actor, who has mostly worked in children's theatre productions, holds his own in this talented cast of experienced adults.
Although it might be difficult to steal the thunder from a group of strippers billed as "Hot Metal," Ellen McLain's performance as Jeanette Burmeister just might do it. Jeanette is a grizzled showbiz veteran who helps the men put their act together while being simultaneously hilarious, lovable and scary. Her outfits, straight out of the 1960s, echo the character's colorful and outrageous remarks. She's worked with everyone from Art Linkletter to Lawrence Welk, and she has the stories to prove it!
As the men in the story struggle to keep body and soul together, they confront the serious issues of suicide, homophobia, divorce and the slow decline of the American industrial work ethic. But all in all, "The Full Monty" is a comedy, so the laughs are never far behind.
"The big kahuna of this show is bravery," said Dixon. "You have to dig deep for bravery. It's not like opportunity-it doesn't just show itself."
Indeed, the rocking finale number, with the audience doubling as shouting strip club patrons, is a tour de force of bravery as the six men awkwardly tease, dance and finally bare (almost) all in an ending that will leave you laughing out loud.
Village Theatre's "The Full Monty" runs through November 21 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. in downtown Everett. Phone (425) 257-8600 or visit www.villagetheatre.org for tickets and information.
Based on the internationally acclaimed film, this grin and bare-it comedy tells the story of six average-looking, unemployed steelworkers on the verge of a bold plan to get themselves out of debt, and make amends with those they love. Pushing through fears, building self-esteem, and rediscovering the importance of friendship and family, The Full Monty has great heart. Nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Original Score, this is a feel-good musical with an edgy yet delightfully wicked sensibility.
"The Full Monty" is based on the 1997 film about six unemployed and desperate men who decide to form a striptease act to earn some money. The musical version transports the story from Sheffield, England, to Buffalo, New York, while maintaining the dilapidated, deserted industrial feel that drives the story.
First off, it's important to note that, even though there is a child actor in the show, this is not a musical for kids. Another observation: it's doubtful anyone will leave the theatre humming tunes from the show. The score, which is beautifully rendered by the orchestra and the singers, nevertheless has a gritty feeling that resonates with the discord that has overtaken the characters' lives.
Most of the impressive set has the appearance of rusted metal, with very little color. To underscore the characters' working-class status, many of the props and set pieces are brought on stage by the actors rather than stagehands.
But don't let all this give the impression that the show is drab. On the contrary, "The Full Monty" is a colorful story of hope, redemption, self-discovery and the importance of friends and family.
And, oh yes, male strippers.
Director Jerry Dixon knew the story was about much more than the men's bare butt cheeks, though.
"Despite the terribly hard times these men have fallen on, none of them are trying to leave their lives in Buffalo," Dixon commented. "They just want to find a way back to the town they once knew. Back to work. Back to better times. Back to feeling worthy of being called a man."
Dane Stokinger, who played Elvis in the Village's production of "Million Dollar Quartet" last season, tackles the role of Jerry Lukowski with charm and gusto. Stripping for a one-time payday is Jerry's idea, and he has the unenviable job of convincing five other "regular men" to join him while justifying the plan to his ex-wife and young son. Stokinger shows us a proud man who now questions his own self-worth while desperately trying to hold on to a relationship with his son.
Jack Holmes plays Jerry's 12-year-old son Nathan, and he is fantastic in the role-- believable, precocious without being annoying, with spot-on delivery and timing. This young actor, who has mostly worked in children's theatre productions, holds his own in this talented cast of experienced adults.
Although it might be difficult to steal the thunder from a group of strippers billed as "Hot Metal," Ellen McLain's performance as Jeanette Burmeister just might do it. Jeanette is a grizzled showbiz veteran who helps the men put their act together while being simultaneously hilarious, lovable and scary. Her outfits, straight out of the 1960s, echo the character's colorful and outrageous remarks. She's worked with everyone from Art Linkletter to Lawrence Welk, and she has the stories to prove it!
As the men in the story struggle to keep body and soul together, they confront the serious issues of suicide, homophobia, divorce and the slow decline of the American industrial work ethic. But all in all, "The Full Monty" is a comedy, so the laughs are never far behind.
"The big kahuna of this show is bravery," said Dixon. "You have to dig deep for bravery. It's not like opportunity-it doesn't just show itself."
Indeed, the rocking finale number, with the audience doubling as shouting strip club patrons, is a tour de force of bravery as the six men awkwardly tease, dance and finally bare (almost) all in an ending that will leave you laughing out loud.
Village Theatre's "The Full Monty" runs through November 21 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. in downtown Everett. Phone (425) 257-8600 or visit www.villagetheatre.org for tickets and information.
Based on the internationally acclaimed film, this grin and bare-it comedy tells the story of six average-looking, unemployed steelworkers on the verge of a bold plan to get themselves out of debt, and make amends with those they love. Pushing through fears, building self-esteem, and rediscovering the importance of friendship and family, The Full Monty has great heart. Nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Original Score, this is a feel-good musical with an edgy yet delightfully wicked sensibility.