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Peer Reviews Clarksville's Monty is Enjoyable to the Fullest By A.S. Waterman Entire contents are copyright © 2007
A.S. Waterman. All rights reserved.
Clarksville Little Theatre serves up one of the new Broadway classics as its final production of the season, and does it with flash -- if you'll pardon the pun -- and pizzazz. Of course, puns and double entendres are inevitable when that production is The Full Monty, as the audience is consumed with the need to know the answer to one burning question: Will the actors bare it all? While that fixation is inescapable, it does not distract from the sheer -- oops, there's another one -- entertainment value of Clarksville's offering, which is delightful throughout. The Full Monty was first produced in 1997 as a British film about six unemployed steel workers who hope to earn some fast cash as male strippers. To compete with established professional acts such as Chippendale, and to compensate for their ... well, "everyman" looks, they promise to do "the full monty" -- i.e., to strut all their stuff. The film was a smash, leading to its re-launch as a Broadway musical in 2000, changing the setting to Buffalo, New York, and adding some tunes by David Yazbek. Since then, it has been a favorite choice of theatres large and small, and it now faces the challenge confronting all Broadway successes: avoiding predictability. Clarksville Little Theatre meets that challenge head on -- argh! another pun! -- in this production, and with outstanding results.
It would be unfair to give away all the surprises. However, the opening dance number by incredible body-builder Dr. Joseph Raley as male revue star Buddy "Keno" Walsh deserves special mention, as does the placement of action throughout the theatre and the use of excellent live musicians. The show is well cast, with all six steel-workers-turned-strippers, and especially leads Ted Lesley and John Hess as Jerry Lukowski and Dave Bukatinski, respectively, well matched to their roles. Among the supporting players, Liz Vissing (as feisty Sinatra-era pianist Jeanette Burmeister) and Brian West (as huge Noah "Horse" T. Simmons) are clear standouts. (Darn it, that's two more puns!) West's and the group's rendition of the song "Big Black Man" is a hoot, and easily the best musical number in the show. However, the musical component is where this production falls short. (Darn it, that's another one!) Vocal ability is not this group's strong suit. (Hmm ... call that one or not ...) At times the piano drowned out the singing at Friday's performance, which may have been a blessing. Unfortunately, it also drowned out many of the lyrics to the songs, and those are extremely funny. Overall, however, the sour notes can be taken in stride, as they fail to mar a delightful production. The laughs run non-stop throughout, and even the most reticent audience members are in hysterics by the end. Some people should not see this show, notably young children, music purists and those whose blush remains glowing even in a darkened theatre. Everyone else should flock to this production before its brief run (argh!) ends (double argh!). Don't see it for the music. Don't see it just
to answer that one burning question. See it because
it's a rollicking good time and great entertainment.
The Full Monty May 11 through 20, 2007 CAUTION: Parental discretion is strongly advised.
---------- Posted May 12, 2007 |
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