FULL MONTY IS A HILARIOUS VISUAL TREAT

L to R: Michael Cassidy, Noel Anthony, Andrew Willis-Woodward, Robert Shotly,Berwick Haynes, Seth Michael Anthony,

THE FULL MONTY. Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally. Directed by George Maguire. Broadway By The Bay, San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 North Delaware Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401. 650-579-5565 or www.broadwaybythebay.org. Sept. 17 – Oct. 4, 2009

THE FULL MONTY IS A HILARIOUS VISUAL TREAT

Broadway By The Bay (BBTB) maintains its well earned reputation as a best in the Bay company with their professional audience pleasing production of The Full Monty directed by Bay area icon George Maguire. Maguire is a perfect choice to lead this male ensemble group that believably and spectacularly progress from klutzy amateurs to unified strip-dancers. In the process, they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have a little fun in the midst of adversity.

Terrence McNally has Americanized the original English movie version, moving the locale to Buffalo keeping the story intact and plausible. The Broadway opening in 2000 received 10 Tony nominations and ran for 770 performances and was described by Talkin Broadway as "one of the most enjoyable evenings in the theatre." That accolade still applies for the BBTB production that garnered a standing ovation on opening night.

The derivation of the term “full monty” is questionable, but since the smash movie, The Full Monty, hit the screens in 1997, there is no doubt, that it means, “taking it all off.” In this musical stage version in San Mateo you will have to wait until just before the final curtain when the six wanna-be sex symbol strippers get up enough nerve to “almost” do it. While you are waiting for that scene, be content with seeing an exuberant production with an enthusiastic cast and multiple showstoppers.

For those unfamiliar with the story and before passing out the kudos a capsul summary of the plot is in order. Six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. That’s it. Yes there are sub-plots that add a touch of pathos to the non-stop enjoyment. That’s what a well written show does.

To mount a show you need auditions and after obligatory introduction of time place and action scenes, we get to the auditions. The judges are Jerry Lukowski (Noel Anthony), divorced and in arrears in child payments for his son Nathan (Tony Sinclair), overweight and sexually insecure Dave Bukatinsky (Robert Shotly), former plant supervisor Harold (Michael Cassidy) blackmailed into being the choreographer and unmarried lonely Malcolm (Seth Michael Anderson). They are also joined by Jeanette Burmeister (Pam Fornesi), a tough, seen-it-all showbiz musician who "shows up, piano and all" to accompany the boys' auditions/rehearsals.

The auditions are riotous and unexpected as two are selected to fill the necessary number, according to Harold, of six. . “Arthritic” Noah 'Horse' Simmons (Berwick Haynes) brings the house down singing “Big Black Man” with his comprehensive dance steps while denying the urban legend of his physical attributes. No dancing talent Ethan Girard (Andrew Willis-Woodward), who longs to dance like Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain is “hired” for his jaw-dropping, euphemism-inducing penis. All the problems fall away when they discover that dancing is like a basketball game with just the right moves as they sing and dance to “Michael Jordan’s Ball.”

Sorry girls (Amanda Folena, Noelle Glory Guerin, Heather Orth, Jacqui Heck and Jennifer Martinelli) this show belongs to the men even though you have a great turn in “It’s a Woman’s World”, Amanda Folena, and Sarah Aili wring a tear with a reprise of “You Rule the World.” Anthony, Shotly and Anderson have a ball with “Big Ass Rock” with Yazbecks inventive eye-opening lyrics of the best way to commit suicide. Young Tony Sinclair as Nathan Lukowski, makes the love for his father palpable and brings a lump in your throat as he gives up his college fund to finance the “Hot Metal” group.

Anthony fills the lead role with great assurance and a touch of insecurity as needed. Robert Shotly is perfect, both physically and vocally and gives a solid rendition in his duet with Michael Cassidy in “You Rule My World.” Anderson and Ethan give a charming touch to “You Walk With Me” and give great performances in their ensemble numbers. Pam Fornesi gives a foot stomping, clap inducing performance, with the guys as backup, in “Jeanette’s Showbiz Number.”

Marvelous directorial flourishes abound with a touch of the risqué but always in good taste that the audience just gobbled up. There are too many of these superb touches executed with great timing by every member of the cast to fully describe in a short review. Hopefully, this review will whet your appetite to go and see for yourself this amazing production. Running time 2 hours and 40 minutes including a 20 minute intermission.

Courtesy of www.TheatreWorldInternetMagazine.com