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The Full Monty Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek Book by Terrence McNally Directed & Choreographed by Marc Robin At Marriott Theatre 10 Marriott Drive Lincolnshire, IL Call 847-634-0200, tickets $45 Wednesdays at 1 & 8 pm Thursdays 7 Fridays at 8 pm Saturdays at 2:30 & 8:00 pm Sundays at 1 & 5 pm Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission Through September 21, 2008 Raw, raunchy and sexy, “The Full Monty” is a crowd pleaser. Mounting Yazbek & McNally’s “The Full Monty” is a brave choice for a family oriented Marriott Theatre since the show contains much raw sexually explicit language and adult themes. This is also one hilarious Broadway musical despite its crudeness. The opening night audience gave the show a rousing and enthusiastic standing ovation. Director Marc Robin used his enormous stage craft to mount an engaging and energetic show long on laughs. The Marriott stellar production values are in evidence here. This is the second time I have seen “The Full Monty” and I must admit that I’m not a fan of that show. I realize that I may be a minority about this quite popular adult musical, but I simply can’t get past the thin premise and the amazingly forgettable bland score and basic crudeness of the material. Having said that, let me become a reporter now.
“The Full Monty” is an American version of the hit British 1997 film. It was made into a Broadway musical with book by Terrence McNally with a pop score and lyrics by David Yazbek (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”). In this musical, we meet six out of work and out of shape steel workers desperate to make money. Jerry (LC Lupp) and his buddy Dave (Joe Coots) hatch a scheme to put on a male strip show to make a quick $50,000 after seeing how the gals love the Chippendale type male strippers. Teaming with their old boss, Harold (Michael Gerhart), the boys hold auditions to find three more average-Joe’s to round out their dance troupe. They find an older African-American named ‘Horse’ (Milton Craig Nealy)—a reference a part of his anatomy. They also find a nerdy mama’s boy, Malcolm (Stephan Schelhardt) and a manic, self destructive follow, Ethan (Jason W. Shuffler) to complete their dance troupe. With the help of an old-time vaudevillian audition piano player, Jeanette (Alene Robertson), the boys struggle to learn to dance while each member has personal problems that become accentuated throughout. Some of the troubles with McNally’s book occur when Dave, the over weight guy, doesn’t seem interested in having sex with his beautiful wife Georgie (Abby Mueller)—why? It is never explained. Next, after Jerry works hard to organize the troupe, he decides, at the last minute, to not dance. Why? Maybe to have a contrived dramatic moment just before the crew goes ‘full monty’? Also, there is a funeral scene after Malcolm’s mother passes that seems only to show Malcolm and Ethan holding hands. Alene Robertson was a hoot as Jeanette. The six ‘dancers’ were a mixed bag of talents with Stephen Schellhardt and Milton Craig Nealy as particularly effective performers. The songs are inane yet bouncy but the entire show plays too long, the plot is razor-thin. This show could be just as funny as a straight comedy as the songs seem to get in the way. The smart choreography and movement by Marc Robin enhances the comedy adding some depth to the story. I just didn’t care enough about these guys—to me the show lacks heart. Again, most of the opening night audience found the guys to be empathetic enough to cheer their plight. That is the critical consideration that makes this play work for many. I do believe that most lovers of musical comedy will find much to enjoy here. Somewhat Recommended Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008 |
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