My Minister is out there, with my Mother!!!!!
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the way to save a weak play is to turn it into a musical. Why anyone would want to turn the material of the film, The Full Monty, which has a strong plot, based on human tragedy and social relevancy of a global nature, into a musical is beyond me. Yet three years after the 1997 film Terrance McNally and David Yazbeck did just that. This weekend Tacoma Musical Playhouse produced The Full Monty, the Musical.
The author transposed the location from Sheffield, in Yorkshire, England, once the world’s leader in steel production, to Buffalo, New York and closely followed the screenplay. As far as the spoken dialogue went, it was superb: witty, hilariously funny, while capturing all the profound tragedy caused by unemployment: depression, loss of self-esteem, suicide and marital difficulties etc.
The Full Monty was directed by Jon Douglas Rake with Music direction by Jeffrey Stvretcky, and a brilliant set by Judy Cullen and impressive lighting by John Chenault. Jerry Lukowksi, the schlemiel who leads the gang of amateur strippers, was played by Bruce Haasl with a certain vulgar flair.
However, except for the first number, Scrap and the actual strip show, Let It Go, the songs and music were disappointing and seemed to get in the way of the plot and character development. Also, it was far too long and there were scenes and songs that definitely needed to be cut. Ninety minutes for ACT I, followed by a full hour for Act II was just was too long.
The set and the scene changes were executed swiftly so the many short scenes did not drag the action, but at best the singing was mediocre. The best part of the evening was the audience participation and the clever technical device used to hide “the Full Monty.” As a real Chippendale stripper, Buddy,Bonne Dorrell put in an impressive performance to open the show.
There were quite a few laughs, but mostly it was for the dialogue.
em>The Full Monty-the Musical. Tacoma Musical Playhouse. 7116 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, WA . 98406 Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm , Sun 2 pm. Til June 2nd. Tickets www. tmp.org (253) 565-6867 Parking in the Park and Ride across the street.