What: "The Full Monty" by N.C. Theatre
Where: Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center, Raleigh
When: 8 p.m. today-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Cost: $26-$76
Contact: 800-745-3000; www.nctheatre.com
RALEIGH The musical "The Full Monty" is a huge crowd-pleaser, generating some of the biggest laughs and most telling truths you'll experience in the theater. N.C. Theatre's current production scores high in both aspects.
Based on the popular 1997 British film, the 2000 Broadway musical Americanizes the locale to Buffalo. Otherwise, it's essentially the same story of six unemployed steelworkers who dream up a strip show to make money like the professionals their wives and girlfriends have been paying to see.
But these average guys can't dance, and they're not in great shape. To compete, they reluctantly promise to go all the way, trumping the professionals. As the six wrestle with self-doubts and struggle in rehearsal, the build-up provides uproarious humor and tender situations.
Terrence McNally's script softens the movie's grittiness somewhat but deepens insight into the depression and feelings of inadequacy that unemployment brings, many lines registering particular immediacy in light of current economic conditions. David Yazbek's pop-style music and lyrics add appropriate character and clever punch lines, although few memorable tunes.
The show might seem one big sexual joke, with its constant references to male anatomy and its frequently exposed flesh. But it's the show's very real circumstances - a divorced father losing his son, an embarrassed husband lying about his job loss, a friendless man attempting suicide - that grab the audience and keep it engaged.
Jarrod Emick elicits great sympathy as Jerry, the father who attempts to turn his life around for his son, Emick's strong singing voice soaring in his several big numbers. Joe Coots makes weight-challenged buddy Dave heartwarming in his insecurity, hilarious in his body language. Ira David Wood III's stuffy Harold loosens up humorously, while Stephen Schellhardt's shy Malcolm and Thomas Cannizzaro's brash Ethan fall into a believable relationship.
There are two major scene-stealers. As Horse, Kingsley Leggs wows with his funky moves and hip personality in the show-stopping "Big Black Man." As Jeanette, the crusty showbiz pianist who accompanies the guys, Sally Struthers lobs one salty zinger after another, shamelessly milking the role with full approval.
Trey Fitts (Jerry's wise and wise-cracking son), Julie Reiber (Dave's understanding wife) and Angie Schworer (Harold's extrovert spouse) stand out among the many fine additional players.
Director Matt Lenz and choreographer Josh Rhodes fill the show with pizazz in the big moments, though the pacing slows in some dialogue scenes, making the show a full three hours. Still, "Monty" is highly recommended, it's frank but funny realities inappropriate only for the youngest or most conservative theatergoer.