By Edward Kinman
The Waterworks Players’ next production is The Full Monty, a Broadway smash hit musical, set to open April 18th.
Based on the 1997 Academy Award-nominated movie, The Full Monty is the story of six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, NY who go to great lengths and a bold plan to help out a friend in trouble by becoming male-strippers like the ones their wives and girlfriends pay to watch on their girls’ night out. As the guys struggle with the question of whether or not they will take everything off at the end of their act--the “full monty”--they must work through their fears, self-consciousness, and feelings of worthlessness. As each deals with his anxiety, the group finds strength in each other that gives them the individual courage to face and overcome their own demons.
“Although this is a comedy,” says Waterworks Players’ director Dudley Sauve, “ it contains a considerable amount of truth about daily life. The reality of six unemployed factory workers transcends Buffalo to southside Virginia as we also live in an area that has been economically hit hard with the closure of manufacturing plants and the decline of tobacco.” The show contains jokes that everyone can relate to: unemployment, single parenting, self image, and self worth. Notes Suave, “These men are struggling and the audience will get behind them and cheer their hearts out as they finally find the courage to believe in themselves.”
Forming the winning team of friends who aren’t afraid to take it off for a good cause, are Justin Smith, as Horse; Kevin Jones, as Jeffery Lukowski; Joe Brown as Ethan Girard; Jordan Wiley as Dave Bukatinsky; Brandon Nuckols as Harold Nichols; and Aaron Willoughby as Malcolm MacGregor.
The Full Monty received 10 Tony nominations in 2001, including those for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Book, and Best Orchestrations. Not for children and not for some traditional theatergoers, this naughty, warm musical is strictly for fun.
Make reservations now to attend Waterworks Players' production of The Full Monty. Performances are at 8:00 pm on April 18, 19, 25 and 26. Tickets are $15. You can obtain tickets by calling the box office at 434-392-3452 or selecting the following link:
