Mounting a production, if you'll pardon the expression, of a musical based on a movie seems to be de rigeur on Broadway during these past several years. One of the best adaptations in the genre is "The Full Monty."
The story has been moved from Britain to the steel mills of Buffalo, New York, several months after the closing of one of them. We get a cross section of blue collar and white collar morality and culture, with a dash of gaiety in the form of one of the Romeos, a Chippendale-type dancer, who shakes his moneymaker at an event organized by one of the unemployed steel workers. And thus our story begins.
Paper Mill Playhouse proves once again why it is the top regional theatre in the area. Gay icon Elaine Stritch plays Jeannette Burmeister, the rehearsal pianist and, as you might expect, quite often steals the show. She is amazing! Wayne Wilcox, last seen there in an entirely different role in "The Importance of Being Earnest," plays blue-collar divorced dad Jerry Lukowski. About as down on his luck as Jerry can be-months in arrears with child support and about to lose the right to visitation with his son-he hatches a desperate plan. If women will pay so much to see nearly nude men, he'll pull a troupe together of local talent and show some butt for one big score to get them all jump started again.
First to be enlisted is Jerry's lifelong best friend Dave Bukatinsky, played by Joe Coots. Dave's wife Georgie, played by the toothsome Jenn Colella, has organized the dancers' gig in Buffalo. When she and her girlfriends sneak into the men's room at Giordano's, the club where the gig is taking place, they are unaware that Dave and Jerry have snuck in to find out what the ruckus is about. The men find out some hard truths about themselves and when the women leave, they contemplate what's next. They interact with Keno, Xander Chauncey in his Paper Mill and stripping debut, who gives these hetero men a boxing lesson in messing with dancers.
Throughout the play, Terrence McNally's book provides subtle tags questioning what makes a man a man. Is it a job? The ability to provide for a family? Taking care of your children? Being able to perform? Ahem! Several times what it means to be human is questioned, as well, as do we truly know the person we love, or do we know so well the picture that we've created of whom and what we think they are?
Allen E. Read plays Malcolm MacGregor-a tragic figure in his own right-who is rescued from mayhem by Dave and Jerry. He becomes the next candidate. Malcolm lives at home and cares for his wheelchair-bound mother Molly-played by Susan Jacks. Each of these men has his own reason to despair. Jerry's madcap scheme gives them a reason to go on, even though the plan takes each man where he's never been before. The audition process!
They need someone to teach them to dance. Without a routine, they're just a bunch of guys. And they need more dancers to make a splash. Nathan, Jerry's son, played in this performance by Alex Maizus, leads them to a dance studio, where they see their former supervisor, Harold Nichols-played by Michael Rupert. He and his wife Vicki-the amazing Michele Ragusa-are in the midst of dance classes and, while she sings an encomium to the wonders of being Harold's wife, Harold begs the men not to tell her he's been out of work for six months. He's as desperate as they are, so he agrees to be their Dance Captain. Malcolm gives them access to the now vacant mill for rehearsal. Ragusa lights up the stage whenever she's on it-the role of Vicki is reminiscent of a kinder gentler version of Karen Walker from "Will and Grace." Coincidentally, she took over Meghan Mullally in "Young Frankenstein" on Broadway.
Among the would-be "Hot Metal Dancers," their former coworkers Reg Willoughby-Rob Richardson-and Marty-Brian Ray Norris-give it a try, but no rhythm and a bad toupee, respectively, sink their effort. Jeanette allows that, with the many auditions she's been to, there's a certain something when someone right comes in. When Ethan Girard comes in, charmingly portrayed by Jason Babinsky, his energy at first puts the guys off-but when he drops his trousers, ¡ay caramba! That glimmer's enough to light up Buffalo! And then there's the man named "Horse." Milton Craig Nealy, who also played Horse in the national tour, as well as in the original Australian production, reprises his role with verve and energy. Convincingly, Horse seems to be a bit creaky in the beginning, but when he winds up, he is air and light and male energy personified. He connects immediately with Jeannette.
Paper Mill boasts an amazing ensemble of characters, who play everything from peanut gallery to audience, and it includes Rob Richardson, Brian Ray Norris, Holly Davis, Rheaume Crenshaw, Jacqueline Colmer, Kelly Sullivan-who also plays Pam Lukowski, Jerry's ex and Nathan's embattled Mom, Timothy Smith-who also plays Teddy Slaughter, Pam's would-be fiancé, Susan Jacks-also Molly MacGregor, Malcolm's Mother, Mark Fisher, and Jerome Lucas Harmann.
The sets move smoothly in conjunction with crossovers,which add grace notes to the action and script. The actors came through the audience on occasion and there are several bon mots and situations that compelled the audience around me to bubble over with laughter. You will want to bring a handkerchief for both laughter and tears when you go, and everyone in this piece has something to learn about men and women, both in general and in particular.
Paper Mill's Artistic Director Mark Hoebee directs "The Full Monty" with great delicacy. The humor never devolves and we see each person as he or she is, with all of the qualities that make the character unique. It's a celebration of what it is to be human in difficult times.
The run continues just through July 12, so order tickets via www.papermill.org or call the box office at 973/376-4343 for more details. Group rates are available, so for your Girls (or Boys!) Nite Out, this is just the ticket. Millburn is accessible via New Jersey Transit and it's a short walk to dining and the theatre, so don't miss this show. It's a great way to celebrate summer!
