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Friday, July 30, 2010
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Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over a century. |
Volume 135 Issue 30 |
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| 7/29/2009 2:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Take [It] Off To See 'The Full Monty'
By Kim Fletcher
Very seldom is there a true opportunity to literally howl with laughter when viewing a play. It takes real abandon to get so caught up with the plot that playbills hit the floor, and audiences randomly clap, whistle, hoot, and belly-laugh.
This fun and mayhem (on the part of the audience) was very much the scene during Friday's opening night of "The Full Monty" at the Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro.
Directed by Sue Ghoreyeb (staging) and Sean Fleming (music), "The Full Monty" is an uproarious, definitely adults-only show that was superbly done by the entire ensemble cast and company.
Based on the film by the same name, but set in Buffalo, N.Y., six laid-off steel workers are struggling with self-confidence and issues of masculinity. Their unemployment has lead to some uncomfortable role reversals, and unable to support their families, desperation takes hold in the form of deciding to get some "easy money" by stripping. How hard can it be?
Unfortunately, Chippendale dancers, these guys ain't. They are normal, middle-aged guys who are somewhat waistline and hairline challenged, and they are going to bare it all.
The show is full of rehearsal scenes, husband and wife scenes, father and son scenes, buddy scenes, wonderful music and dance scenes, and the final scene which had the entire audience leaping to its feet.
Leading the cast is Bill Coombs (Jerry Lukowski) and Dan True (Dave Bukatinsky), with Joseph Lugosch (Malcolm MacGregor), Brad Fillion (Ethan Girard), and Kit Hayden (Harold Nichols), and Alexander Kopack (Noah "Horse" Simmons).
Morgan Shattuck plays the authentic and inspiring Chippendale Dancer Buddy "Keno" Walsh, and his youth and "athleticism" was the perfect foil and contrast to the dancer wannabes.
All the guys had the greatest time on stage, which brought the audience right along with them. The six-plus major male roles were so expertly played by the ensemble actors, the occasional stumble in line or lyric did not distract.
A big hand goes to actor Kopack who stepped in just days before the curtain to fill a vital role; he gave a finished, spot-on performance. An equally big hand goes to young Braeden Waddell who plays Lukowski's son, Nathan, and who also gave a fine and solid performance.
Debbie Beam plays Jeanette Burmeister, keyboard accompanist to the strippers, and she is really on the 'beam' with this fantastic comedic performance, her absolute forte.
Arguably, men need their women, and "The Full Monty" had equally solid performances from the "wives and girlfriends," lead by Tasha Salvo (Georgie Bukatinsky), BJ Kopishke (Pam Lukowski), and Camilla Gray (Vicki Nichols).
The supporting and able cast includes Dale Smith (Reg Willoughby and Repo Man), Jason Kash (Teddy Slaughter), Alan Lowe (Marty), Dave Waddell (Tony Giordano), Ashley St. Pierre (Estelle Genovese), Heidi Leinonen (Molly MacGregor), Aspen Jones (Susan Hershey), Tabitha Ordway (Joanie Lish), Melissa Hearth (Dolores), Phyllis McQuaide (walker, minister, Betty), Jean Phillips (walker), and Christine Anderson Tupper (Police Sgt. Forelli).
Lead by Sean Fleming on keyboards, the orchestra is Chuck McGregor (bass), Allen Millet (drums), Oren Robinson (guitar, keyboards), Judy Falconer and Jennifer Willis (reeds), Silvia Sayers (trombone), and James Merrifield (trumpet).
The orchestra is great, no question. However with such powerful, talented (and numerous) musicians in the pit, everyone struggled and commented about not understanding or hearing the funny, and significant-to-the-plot lyrics.
Production team includes Heidi Leinonen (producer/stage manager), Jason Kash (stage manager), Danny Gay (tech director/lighting), Bill Coombs and Aspen Jones (choreography), Travis Grant (costumer), Jean Phillips (costumes), Matthew Kopishke and Colin Sutch (lights).
With the ho-hum summer, Ghoreyeb's and Fleming's, "The Full Monty" is an absolute bright spot, filled with fun and song.
Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, "The Full Monty" continues July 31 and Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Sun., Aug. 2.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door and are available through Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro website at www.thewaldo.org and at Waltz's Drug Store in Waldoboro.
Kim Fletcher holds a bachelor's and Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Wayne State University's Hilberry Repertory Theatre in Detroit, Mich.
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