The Full Monty started in 1997 as a movie (a very popular one)...then became a musical on Broadway. A very popular musical.

Originally the setting was Sheffield, England about six unemployed steel workers, who decided to become a male striptease act. They took their act to the "Full Monty" (total nudity).

Four-time Tony Award® winning writer Terrence McNally adapted the screen hit for the stage and added his own unique brand of American comedy to the story. "The show is about friendship, about being a parent," said McNally. "It's also about an image obsessed society that says you have to look like Brad Pitt. This show says quite the opposite. It celebrates everybody for exactly who they are." To help the story feel closer to home, McNally moved it to Buffalo, NY from Sheffield, England, where the original movie took place.

The Full Monty received ten 2001 Tony Nominations including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book, Best Orchestrations, Best Direction and Best Choreography. The Full Monty ended its Broadway run September 1, 2002.

Composer and lyricist David Yazbek, winner of the 2001 Drama Desk Award for his music, explains: The Full Monty is a sports story. It's not about stripping. It's a bunch of guys who get together and form a team. There are ups and downs, and, in the end, they win."

The Full Monty has sets designed by John Arnone, costumes by Robert Morgan, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Tom Clark and Nevin Steinberg.

Nominated for a 2001 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, the original cast recording of The Full Monty is available on RCA Victor.

What a fun show! One thing about a touring production, coming into Las Vegas, with a striptease act is that it is not so new to this town...but they made it cute and new. No question why David Yazbek was asked to do the music and lyrics for this show, they were comedic and ironic in some places...as was Terrence McNally's book. It was nice to hear a live orchestra, with such quality. There are some great voices and dancers in this production. I think many of them have a great future in showbiz. The set design was good. Lighting played a big part in the show for the “Full Monty” scene.

Christian Anderson (Jerry) was excellent and I know that he will continue to get good parts in the future. The rest of the “Full Monty” guys were great too, some standouts were Eric Leviton (Dave), Milton Craig Neally (Horse), Leo Daignault (Malcolm) and Trey Ellett (Ethan). These are some talented actors and their comedic talents are great!

Some scene's and numbers that were outstanding in the show were:

The men’s room number was very funny, the lyrics to the song were just a riot. The suicide number was just too funny, the lyrics a really were cleaver.

Michael Jordan’s Ball -- The number was choreographed wonderfully and another fun scene in the show.

Jeanette’s Showbiz Number -- Jane Connell was good and just fit the role so wonderfully.

You Walk With Me -- A great ballad and sung beautifully.

Let it Go -- The finale had me laughing so hard.

This was just an overall fun time at the theatre. If you can check out the show do so, it is a nice night of fun. Even the men in the audience enjoyed it!

Creative Team:

Book by Terrence McNally -- McNally has won four Tony Awards®: 1998 for the musical Ragtime; 1996 for Master Class, in which Zoe Caldwell created the role of Maria Callas; 1995 for Love! Valour! Compassion! (also Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and NY Drama Critic’s Circle Awards); 1993 for the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. Has been a member of Dramatists Guild since 1970.

Music and lyrics by David Yazbek -- Quotes from David Yazbek's website..."But the biggest mystery in my life is why I was Chosen to become a Hit-tastical Broadway Composer. Later, I became a hit-testical Broadway Composer but that was when things got ugly between me and the choreographer."

"Anyway, I wrote the musical referred to above and it made me some very fine ducats but practically erased whatever alternative Cred I had built over the years as a recording arist. Seeing that the record business is dying a quick, unsightly death I think my timing was good. I'm also quite proud of the show, which I wanted to be funny, entertaining and sometimes angry. I think it is. So There."

Jack O'Brien -- Director
Jerry Mitchell -- Choreographer
Ted Sperling -- Musical Direction and Vocal Arrangements
John Arnone -- Set Design
Robert Morgan -- Costume Design
Howell Binkley -- Lighting Design
Tom Clark & Nevin Steinberg -- Sound Design
Harold Wheeler -- Orchestrations

Cast:
Christian Anderson (Jerry Lukowski)
Jane Connell (Jeanette Burmeister)
Leo Daignault (Malcolm MacGregor)
Trey Ellett (Ethan Girard)
Christine Hudman (Vicki Nichols)
Eric Leviton (Dave Bukatinsky)
Jennifer Naimo (Georgie Bukatinsky)
Milton Craig Nealy (Noah “Horse” T. Simmons)
Aaron Nutter (Nathan Lukowski at certain performances)
Ryan Postal (Nathan Lukowski at certain performances)
Robert Westenberg (Harold Nichols)
Sarah Zimmerman (Pam Lukowski)
Julie Foldesi (Swing)
David Patrick Ford (Buddy “Keno” Walsh, Dance Captain)
Michael Halling (Teddy Slaughter)
Kimberly Harris (Joanie Lish)
Dale Hensley (Reg Willoughby)
Sloan Just (Susan Hershey)
Aaron Kaburick (Tony Giordano)
Jim Orsono (Assistant Dance Captain, Swing)
Diana Pappas (Molly MacGregor)
Ryan Perry (Minister)
Brad Sharp (Swing)
C. E. Smith (Police Sergeant, Moving Man)
David A. White (Swing)
Paige DuBois Wolff (Estelle)

For cast and creative bios and other information check the official The Full Monty website.

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