Corrections or additions?
This review by Simon Saltzman was prepared for the January 17,
2001 edition of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Broadway Review: `Full Monty’
The 1997 British film "The Full Monty" was
an unexpected hit. The story of how six north of England
steel-workers,
after being laid off, figure out a way to earn some fast money, has
its heart as well as the other vital parts in the right place.
After watching the town go ga-ga for a professional touring male strip
show, the desperate workers decide to perform a show of their own.
This leads not only to problems with their personal and family lives,
but with the obstacles that rise up (no pun intended) in perfecting
the act. The unexpected fusion and confusion of sexual identities
also adds to the fun. The musical possibilities inherent in the plot
are obvious, as is the potential for physical comedy. Except for
changing
the locale from the U.K. to the U.S.A., Buffalo to be exact,
playwright
Terrence McNally’s musical version is faithful to the plot
contrivances
and sentiments of Simon Beaufoy’s screenplay.
The great news is that the eclectic pop, rock, jazz score and
down-to-earth
lyrics by David Yazbek never sounds out of its element the way Elton
John’s score for "Aida" does. While none of the six principal
men have great singing voices, they do punch out their songs
effectively.
Best of all, by right of their strong personalities, they make us
care about them.
Patrick Wilson is excellent as Jerry, a virile and decent chap who
will do anything to keep from losing his joint custody of his son
(winningly played by Thomas Michael Fiss). Notwithstanding his
up-staging
girth, John Ellison (who has appeared in several supporting roles
at McCarter Theater) gets the most comic points, while the hilarious
misstep and mishap prone Romain Fruge (remember Donald O’Connor’s
wall climbing dance in "Singin’ in the Rain"?) is a close
second.
If senior hoofer Andre De Shields earns his insinuatingly sexy
show-stopper,
the other two recruits — Jason Danieley and Marcus Neville —
also have what it takes to round out this unlikely, but likable,
chorus
line.
The one major addition is the character of Jeanette, a
tough-as-shoe-leather
show biz veteran who is recruited to work with the men as a
no-nonsense
director and accompanist. As played with sass and spice by scene
stealing
81-year-old TV character actress, Kathleen Freeman, the role has
Tony-nomination
written all over it.
While director Jack O’Brien happily emphasizes character development,
including those provided by Annie Golden and Emily Skinner, as the
wives, choreographer Jerry Mitchell is to be commended for creating
the next-to-impossible — sensational but never improbable routines
for this six-pack of hard-working hard hats. As for that full monty,
it’s out there, though your eyes have to move faster than the speed
of light. And don’t worry about taking Aunt Harriet and the kids,
it’s all in good fun, and fun for all. Three stars.
— Simon Saltzman
Street,
New York. $31 to $86. Tele-Charge at 800-432-7250 or 212-239-6200.
Corrections or additions?
This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com
— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
Facebook Comments