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The Full Monty

‘The Full Monty’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Measure of a Man

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Pictured (left to right): Richard E. Waits, Matt Welsh, Josh Kenney, Christopher deProphetis, Matt Kopec and Jamie Cordes.

Skin is in at the Loft Theatre. But if seeing a bunch of guys in their undies is the only reason you’re tempted to check out the Human Race Theatre Company’s delightful production of composer David Yazbek and librettist Terrence McNally’s outstanding Tony Award-nominated 2000 musical comedy “The Full Monty” you’ll miss out on the compelling facets that propelled it as one of the finest, relevant and heartwarming musicals of the last decade.
Set in blue-collar Buffalo and based on the 1997 Academy Award-winning British film of the same name, “The Full Monty,” unlike any contemporary musical, skillfully addresses the agony, worry, shame, and disappointment men face when stripped of their livelihoods. Without a job, without a sense of purpose to provide for themselves and their families, what are men to do? Should they pound the pavement hoping something better comes along all the while knowing hope doesn’t equal money? Should they take a job they view as menial just to please their spouse? Should they simply give up? And greater still, what do men become when they’re perceived as lesser? The six insecure, unemployed men at the center of this relatable tale truly bare all for a quick buck a la the Chippendales, but in doing so, and whether it’s the right or wrong decision, they ultimately regain their self-confidence and a clearer understanding of the value of teamwork, which, in this case, helps repair marriages and fuels newfound love.

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(left to right): Matt Welsh, Matt Kopec, Josh Kenney, Christopher deProphetis, Jamie Cordes and Richard E. Waits.


This season opener entertains under the crisp, character-conscious direction of Joe Deer, recently inducted into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame. Making good use of the Loft’s immersive capabilities and the sizable space in front of the turntable, Deer delicately balances the humor and seriousness of the material but doesn’t forget the show is a comedy at its core even when it stings. He also coaxes solid performances from a uniquely diverse and funny sextet. In the lead role of divorced dad Jerry Lukowski, Christopher DeProphetis dives admirably into Jerry’s desperation and determination to fight for custody of his son no matter the cost, particularly in the rousing anthem “Man.” As Jerry’s chunky best friend Dave Bukatinsky, the very natural, grounded Matt Welsh is a terrific sidekick prone for comic relief but also strong introspectively. As Jerry’s former boss Harold Nichols, Jamie Cordes humorously conveys an uptight persona in a gutsy departure from past roles. Muse Machine alum Matt Kopec, excellently sensitive as suicidal loner Malcolm MacGregor, supplies a beautiful rendition of the poignant ballad “You Walk With Me” ably assisted by Josh Kenney, a lighthearted bundle of excitable, goofy energy as oddball Ethan Girard. As the elderly, colorful Noah “Horse” T. Simmons, crowd-pleaser Richard E. Waits nearly steals the show proclaiming the joys of being a “Big Black Man.”

 

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Pictured (left to right): Christopher deProphetis, Jamie Cordes, Matt Welsh, Josh Kenney, Richard E. Waits, Matt Kopec and Deb Colvin-Tener.


Elsewhere, Deb Colvin-Tener is a feisty, feel-good support system as rehearsal pianist Jeanette Burmeister, an old-timer who helps Jerry and his cohorts (dubbed Hot Metal) with their clunky routines. Jillian Jarrett is a sensible, tender presence as Pam, Jerry’s ex-wife. Leslie Goddard, a fabulous Agnes Gooch in the Race’s production of “Mame” last season, winningly returns as Dave’s rowdy wife Georgie particularly leading the spirited “It’s a Woman’s World.” Sonia Perez, as Harold’s materialistic wife Vicki, brings spice and energy to “Life With Harold,” and joins forces with Goddard for a lovely reprise of “You Rule My World.” A fearless Richard Jarrett opens the show with sexual gusto as professional stripper Keno. The fine cast also features Peanut Edmonson as Jerry’s son Nathan, Scott Hunt as Pam’s boyfriend Teddy, Scott Stoney as Reg, Andréa Morales as Estelle/Molly MacGregor, Gina Handy as Joanie, Tracey L. Bonner as Susan, Adam Soniak as Marty, and Cassi Mikat as the swing.

 


Choreographer Dionysia Williams, a Wright State University graduate and BalletMet Dance Academy faculty member, offers flavorful, character-specific movement, especially in “Big Black Man,” “Michael Jordan’s Ball,” “The Goods,” and exuberant finale “Let It Go.” Scenic designer Dick Block’s terrifically multipurpose set convincingly establishes a variety of locales. Costumer Janet G. Powell’s choices suitably reflect casual, everyday attire. John Rensel’s expert lighting is heightened to good use in the enticing, teasing final seconds. Musical director Sean Michael Flowers’ offstage, seven-member orchestra makes Yazbek’s sublime music sizzle but is unbalanced and occasionally overpowers the cast, perhaps a reflection of Jay Brunner’s surprisingly iffy sound design.


“The Full Monty” spotlights the camaraderie of a distinct group of men uniting for a common goal but their life-changing journey will have you feeling just as liberated and uplifted.

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HRTC-MONTY-prod-5.jpg Pictured (left to right): Tracey L. Bonner, Gina Handy, Leslie Goddard and Andréa Morales.

“The Full Monty” continues through Oct. 4 at the Human Race Theatre Company’s Loft Theatre inside the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Performances are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Act One: 85 minutes; Act Two: 65 minutes. Tickets are $20-$40 but discounts are available. Patrons are advised the show, intended for mature audiences, contains adult language and themes as well as a bit of full frontal male nudity. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Goes Full Monty!

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The Human Race proudly launches its 2015-2016 Eichelberger Loft Season with the smash hit The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical. With a book by Tony Award winner Terrence McNally and music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award winner David Yazbek, the hilarious and heartwarming story follows six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers who, in need of quick cash and low on prospects, come up with the outrageous idea to put on a strip act after seeing the local women’s wild enthusiasm for touring Chippendales dancers.

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Short on time and with little talent or physical appeal, the gang promises their show will be better because they’ll go “the full monty” and bare it all! As they prepare for the big night, they learn to let go of their doubts and insecurities—and their clothes—in this hilarious adaptation of the hit 1997 film from Fox Searchlight Pictures. The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical is directed by Resident Artist, Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre at Wright State University and new Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame inductee Joe Deer, who has also directed Avenue Q, Big River, Lend Me a Tenor and It’s a Wonderful Life for The Human Race.

The preview performance of The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical is Thursday, September 10. Opening night is Friday, September 11. This production contains adult language and situations and, as the title implies, a bit of full frontal male nudity. It is definitely for mature audiences only.

Human Race President & Artistic Director Kevin Moore has been enamored with the show since he 11053244_10153674351898013_9135573935040672196_ocaught a preview performance before it opened on Broadway in October 2000. “From the minute that overture started,” he exclaims, “I was like, ‘Wow! This is hot. This is fun. This show is amazing. We have to find a way to do this.’” He acknowledges the large size of the show, with its numerous scene locations and set pieces, will be a challenge to stage in the intimate Loft Theatre. “We have a history of taking large musicals—Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, Mame—and adapting them to successfully fit the space,” says Moore. “Our audiences love it, we enjoy the challenge and we’ll do it again here with The Full Monty.” Aside from the title-revealing “dare to bare” moment, The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical offers audiences a great deal more than scantily-clad men. Moore praises its overarching subject matter, “It addresses parental devotion in how far a father would go for his son, how to find courage when there’s little to hope for, and the superficiality of body issues (this time, about men), and it does it all with genuine warmth, tremendous sincerity and outrageous humor.”

Joe Deer describes The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical as “an incredibly fun, high energy show. When people ask me what it’s about, I say, it’s like ‘Rocky meets Magic Mike.’” He admires the story about a group of men who are down on their luck, who manage to pull themselves together and redeem themselves and bring everyone up with them. “I love that,” he beams. “I think there is no better show for people in Dayton to experience right now because we know—as a city—what that’s like.” Deer sees the parallels between the personal and community-wide losses caused by the end of Buffalo’s steel industry in The Full Monty and the decades-long  commercial and industrial losses felt by Dayton. “This was a mighty, mighty town and when the economy went south, when so many large businesses left, we were abandoned by people we had stood by.” He likens it to the show’s opening song, “Scrap.” “We felt pretty much abandoned like scrap. But what I love about this show is exactly what’s happening in Dayton right now,” he states. “We are being redeemed and lifting up. We are being revitalized in a whole new way.” Deer feels confident that audiences are going to come away from this show exuberant and recharged by its message and spirit.

Dionysia Williams, a Wright State University graduate and BalletMet Dance Academy faculty member, serves as the choreographer. Having performed in a previous production of The Full Monty, Williams describes her task as creating “character-driven” choreography for the show’s blue collar Buffalo citizens, “In the choreography, you’re going to see that the movement is very authentic as to who these characters are.” When discussing the show’s highly anticipated strip tease dance number, she says, “These guys will be slick. Maybe not Magic Mike slick, but in their own way.”

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets for the preview performance of The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical on September 10 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances September 11  – October 4, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Side-area seats are available at all performances for $25 each, on sale two weeks prior to performance. The Sunday, September 13 7:00 pm performance is “Sawbuck Sunday”, when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton. Tickets and performance information on The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.