June 4, 2012

THE FULL MONTY -- DANCE DRIVEN COMEDY


THE MONTY BOYS WORK IT UP. Courtesy Photo: Ray of Light
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 THE FULLMONTY
TAKE IT OFF
  



THE FULL MONTY (Americanized musical stage version) - is adapted from the 1997 film of the same name. The book is by Terrence McNally, and the Catchy, wildly funny score, is by David Yazbek.

Here’s the deal. Six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers are down in the dumps, literally. The Steelworkers have lost their jobs and they have little cash, and no prospects of getting another job.

But after seeing their wives’ enthusiasm at a touring company of Chippendales dancers – the out of work men decide to put on a one-night show. They think that they will outdo the Chippendales because one of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better, because they will do “the full Monty’ – You know, strip it all off. Show us what you got. And that they do.

In a sequence of scenes, the former Steel Workers perform strip-tease auditions. This is certainly one of the most hilarious auditions that you’ll ever see. One older guy, that looks like he can hardly stand up at first – turns out to be the biggest hit. He becomes a legend as the “Big Black Man”. Another guy longs to dance like Donald O’Conner in “Singin’ in the Rain’ and he has a jaw-dropping, bulge in his pants. The boys are shocked when he drops his pants.  One of the men, Jerry, fires up the men by telling them to think of it as not dance, but as sports moves. And you know what? – they come up with some brilliant choreography.

There is only one woman in the group. She sits at the piano and advises the boys musically. She’s, a tough, seen-it-all, hard as nails broad that has a cigarette dangling from her lips while playing the piano. Yep, she’s a tough one – but loveable.

The Boys decide on their ‘stage name” (Hot Metal) – you know, they were known as hard working sweaty men that worked with metal.

After many jumps and starts they decided to go ahead and put on the show. After all, they didn’t have anything to lose. But surprise – the boys have a sold-out house. Not only women came to the show – but also men for the one and only performance. You could say that they “let it go” and “Let it all Hang-Out!”

Let me tell you. The players in this version of “The Full Monty” are so exciting – that your head will spin, something will tingle between your leg and your palms will sweat. They sure deliver smoldering music. These dancing and singing rough-edged guys work so hard – that they actually “Shoot of Sparks”. You may wonder – are they uncut? Now how would I know that until the end? All I know is that this “Full Monty” is genuinely thrilling and sensational.

The Ray of Light Theatre has brought to town, a new-refreshed look at the play. The Full Monty is “The Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy of The Year! There is perfect –onstage chemistry. “Hey, I’ve been around 100 yrs – I know a cool thing when I see it! I’m giving it a “Pants on Fire Rating!”

WHO NEEDS SEXTING WHEN YOU HAVE THESE ACTORS? Derek Travis Collard, Katherine Cooper, Elijah Diamond, Danielle Dipaola, C.J. Dion, Maria duzon, Joshua, Fryvecind, Phillipe Gosselin, Sara Hauter, Daniel Hurst, Helen Laroche, Brie Martin, David Mister, Ross Neueneldt, Bill Tankovich, Cami Thmpson, Chris Uzelac, Gwynn Villegas, Leslie Waggoner and Wendell H. Wilson. “TERRIFIC CAST OF THOUSANDS!”

ALSO EXHILARATING: Jason Hoover (Artistic Director/Director), Ben Prince (Music Director) Mary Kalita (Choreographer) – “Spectacular!”

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))  

Now playing at the Eureka Theatre/Ray of Light Theatre production

Rating: Four Glasses of Champagne!!!! (highest rating) –trademarked-

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promoted
 Courtesy beyondchron

 

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