Center Stage: Terrific production of ‘The Full Monty’ at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater
“The Full Monty” is the raucous, beefcake musical currently turning the audiences on at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. It’s one of those enjoyable, light-weight evenings at the theater that let us just eat, drink and be merry, smiling to our heart’s content as we watch a first-rate cast strut their stuff. This musical tracks the popular 1997 British film of the same name except that this time it takes place in Buffalo, New York. The story follows six down-on-their-luck steel workers as they try and raise money and lift their spirits up out of the gloom and doom of being laid off, while at the same time trying to win back the respect of their loved ones. And they go about this by forming a sort of Buffalo version of The Chippendales, a male strip tease act.
“The Full Monty” opened on Broadway in 2000, was nominated for nine Tony awards. The talented playwright Terrance McNally of “Master Class,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman”and “Ragtime” fame wrote the book, while composer David Yazbek (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”) wrote the hysterically clever lyrics (most apparent in the songs “Big Black Man” and “Big Ass Rock.” What a hoot!
This Broadway Palm’s production of this Brit wit flick is, in a word, terrific. When Christopher Russell, playing the down and laid-off steel worker Jerry Lukowski, along with also-jobless, now house-husband, Dave Bukatinsky (played by Jason Sofge) kick the show into high gear by “nailing it” with their duet “Man.” Lukowski and Sofge perfectly embody the everyman quality these two characters need, both physically, vocally and performance wise; these guys were simply GREAT!
But let me start at the top of this production: first, the Broadway Palm’s orchestra never sounded better under the musical Direction of Loren Strickland. Second, it’s “girl’s night out” at the local club where the Chippendales are performing, featuring stand-out dancer/stripper Chris Matesevac as Buddy (Keno) Walsh, the Chippendale’s headliner. The four hot babes — sort of the “housewives of Buffalo” — Georgie (Casey Shea), Estelle (Katherine Walker Hill), Joanie (Jacquelyn Toleman), Susan (Rachel Glodrick) are right on with their bawdy take, belting out “It’s a Woman’s World.”
Some other performances worth noting are Chris Anthony Giles as Horse in his winning song-and-dance audition, “Big Black Man,” Lynx Murphy (Malcolm), John Haubner (Ethan) and Sean Riley (Malcolm) — these three connect with the audience on an emotional level and touch your heart in unexpected ways. Add to that mix the irrepressible Kathi Osborne sending the audience off into gales of laughter with her portrayal of Jeanette Burneister, the rehearsal pianist for the guys, or Cheyenne Nelson as Vicki, an inveterate shopper and Harold’s wife, who we later find out has a heart of gold. In fact, the main reason that “Monty” works as well as it does is we come to love these folks… After all, we know people just like them in our own lives; and you can’t help but cheer for all the guys as they bare their souls, among other things, in the final number.
Paul Bernier’s direction and Robert Harris’ choreography are just what they need to be, by keeping things moving along at a quick pace. Robert Andrew Kovach’s colorful set designs are appropriate to the tone of the show, as are Jim Conti’s costumes and Russell A. Thompson’s lighting.
“The Full Monty” is a heartwarming, up-lifting, fun musical that appeals to a broad range of audiences. That having been said, due to the nature of the material (it is about would be male strippers, after all, although there is no nudity), it’s probably not quite the show for kids under 13; as for the rest of us, just head for the Broadway Palm where “The Full Monty” plays till Feb. 12. Start by phoning the box office for reservations, 278-4422, then remind ’em Marsha sent you.