Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review
Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review
Swing Joined: 11/15/05
Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#0
Posted: 8/30/06 at 6:05pm
Princeton Packet Online
by Stuart Duncan
Bucks County Playhouse presents the musical based on the hit movie.
The Full Monty has settled in for a month's stay at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pa. That's twice the normal run, and a good thing too — the show is the best production in several seasons and will be a huge crowd-pleaser.
You may have seen the movie and, if so, you'll be mighty impressed by how cleverly Terrence McNally (his script for Ragtime earned him his fourth Tony Award) has adapted the British tale to America, specifically shifting the scene from working-class Sheffield, England, to working-class Buffalo, N.Y. In the process he expanded the women's roles and thereby made the relationships more meaningful. He also added one woman's role — that of the rehearsal pianist — and managed to keep the original spirit of the story honest and touching.
There was much discussion about the choice of a composer. Producer Lindsay Law felt strongly that it would be wrong to have a traditional Broadway musical, full of ballads and big chorus numbers. The job was finally given to David Yazbek, whose biggest claim to fame was the writing of the theme song for the popular TV show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Yazbek was asked to write a song on "spec" and shortly came up with "Scrap" and "You Rule My World." The job was his.
There's not much you need to know about the plot: a factory closes down, throwing a bunch of men out of work and in a worsening economic climate, driving the men and their disheartened wives to distress. They note that men such as The Chippendales are doing very well by stripping while they dance and decide, somewhat reluctantly, to try their luck. They begin to assemble an act.
That's it — that's the premise. They must learn to dance (more or less) and the show has plenty of spirited language and yes, some flashes of male nudity. The guys decide somewhere along the rehearsal process that in order to "make it," they will have to "go all the way" — in British terms, "the full Monty."
There is no guessing about the worth of the show — it is just plain terrific, a wonderful combination of talent and energy adding up to a show that will be on most critics' "best of the year" lists. Director/choreographer Stephen Casey has surpassed even his high standards, assembled one of the finest companies in many seasons, and let it rip. Scott Laska and Bob Marcus lead a large cast as Jerry Lukowski and Dave Bukatinsky, the friends who form an unlikely partnership to earn some cash and then anguish over the details. Kendra Heverlo and Tressa McCallister play their long-suffering wives to perfection. Jim Lynch plays the junior executive, also fired in the economic downturn, who battles a somewhat spoiled wife (Johanna Lloyd) to remain a breadwinner. Others who stand out in this super-talented company are Lesly Tyrell Donald as "Horse" Simmons; Peter Martino as Ethan Girard, confused about his masculinity; Curtis Conlin as Malcolm MacGregor, also a bit confused; and Justin Lore as "Keno" Walsh. The women are: Lauren Brader, Alison Quairoli and Jill Palena.
The character that playwright McNally added to the stage version, the rehearsal pianist Jeanette Burmeister, is played by long-time Playhouse favorite Penny Larsen. She also played the role on two national tours across the U.S., piling up sensational reviews in city after city. She can add another one here — she almost steals the entire evening from all those talented actors mentioned above. The fact that she doesn't quite speaks more about their performances.
One more compliment: a new man has taken over the sound system and rectified boo-boos from earlier in the season. Credit Jamie La Joie and welcome him. And, while you're at it, bow nice and low to Linda Bee-Stockton for her costumes (well, not in the final scene). She will now head over to Bristol Riverside Theatre to be the costumer for the season.
The Full Monty continues at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope, Pa., through Sept. 17. Performances: Wed.-Thurs. 2, 8 p.m.; Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 4, 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22-$24. For information, call (215) 862-2041. On the Web: www.buckscountyplayhouse.com
Featured Actor Joined: 12/6/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#1
Posted: 8/30/06 at 8:30pmOh Stuart Duncan what a guy! I'm from the area nd he reviews shows at the Academy theatre in Bordentown quite a bit
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#2
Posted: 8/30/06 at 9:43pmAren't you impressed by people who join BWW just to hype shows that are playing at the theaters they are employed by?
Featured Actor Joined: 12/6/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#3
Posted: 8/30/06 at 9:56pmHey I personally think BCP is a load of **** ya hear??
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#4
Posted: 8/30/06 at 10:04pmI hope the production isn't as amateur as that review... all chock full of Googled tidbits and a synopsis that tells us the whole story as if we're dolts.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/03
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#5
Posted: 8/31/06 at 9:58am
"Review"? Sounds more like a press release to me.
Considering how low this once great playhouse has fallen recently, this is truly sad.
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#6
Posted: 8/31/06 at 10:39am
Stu has always reviewed like that, at least in the 20+ years he's been reviewing for the Princeton Packet and papers in the surrounding vicinities. The vast majority of text in his reviews are filled with backround from the shows history. He gives the actors and creative staff the last paragraph or two, much to their dismay and chagrin. I took a couple of classes with him, and he's an original GODSPELL producer. He is, in fact, a treasure trove of theatre tid bits, with or without GOOGLE.
Poor Bucks County Playhouse...flooded three times in less than two years. It's amazing that they keep rebounding. I know they need the money so I hope this show in New Hope sells, to keep musicals alive in Bucks County Pa.
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#7
Posted: 8/31/06 at 10:44amAfter the crap BC put me through with the junior theater festival earlier this year, I haven't gone to any productions this season and probably will continue that tradition for the rest of the year. I have to say, though, that growing up I got to see a LOT of the classics at BC that I wouldn't have otherwise, so it's hard to stay "mad" at them, but they REALLY mishandled the festival this year, so I have a hard time giving them any more of my money just yet.
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#8
Posted: 8/31/06 at 10:47amNo problemo Jacobp! Ain't theatre grand?
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#9
Posted: 8/31/06 at 10:55am
iv never seen a bad review of full monty...sucha good show.
cheers
jeff
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#10
Posted: 8/31/06 at 11:00am
that rotting bung hole corpse of a theater needs to die in the night. Not a painful death, just die in it's sleep. noone would miss it. Bad theater is fine, we've all done, seen and experienced bad theater....that I can deal with...but bad people? Mean people (the owner) not good. not good at all.
RIP BCP.
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#11
Posted: 8/31/06 at 1:08pmWow, that's even more animosity than I felt after the festival!
Swing Joined: 11/15/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#12
Posted: 8/31/06 at 11:26pmActually a lot of people would miss it not a smarmy ass like you but a lot of people who appreciate what the people who do care at BCP do...I don't know about the owner but I do know that alot of the actors and staff love the place...and they do do a damn good job...especially with the obvious small budgets. It's not broadway but i am very entertained 90% of the time I go there.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#13
Posted: 8/31/06 at 11:58pm
not animosity...just common sense.
they seem to get good talent, god knows why! It's a BARN!
My comment was not directed to those who perform there, they can't help if it's god awful. But...it's god awful!
Chorus Member Joined: 4/6/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#14
Posted: 9/1/06 at 12:16amI saw it today and Scott Laska, the actor playing Jerry, was head and shoulders above the rest. He sang wonderfully, could definitely MOVE, and looked fabulous! He definitely stole the show.
Swing Joined: 11/15/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#15
Posted: 9/1/06 at 6:28pmI agree Scott was wonderful...not so much on the movement though. I also greatly enjoyed Curtis Conlin as Malcom and Peter Martino as Ethan.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/6/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#16
Posted: 9/1/06 at 7:30pm
In general I thought the casting was odd. I thought that Ethan and Malcolm were both weak, and the real stripper was quite unattractive. If he was to be the "ideal", then ANY of the six stood a chance to succeed!
I love the show itself enough to enjoy it nonetheless...although I'd go back to see Scott Laska again!
Swing Joined: 11/15/05
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#17
Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:27pmI agree with you that the Keno was not ideal, and that the cast was generally younger than they should have been (Mr. Laska included) but I thought there performances were all quite good...Malcolm and Ethan were my favorites...how could you think they were weak? They both had me laughing more than anyone else and they have the least stage time out of the 6 guys.
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#18
Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:33pm
"they seem to get good talent, god knows why! It's a BARN!"
Well, up until the 1970's, there were a lot of "BARN"s (Hyde Park Playhouse) and even some tents (Latham, Westbury Music Fair). There was this great thing known as "summer stock" and I got to see a lot of great names in some great shows in those BARNs and tents when I was a kid. I'm glad to see at least a few BARNS still remain.
Swing Joined: 11/15/05
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Full Monty at Bucks County ~ Review#20
Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:55pm
"Well, up until the 1970's, there were a lot of "BARN"s"
yes, well said. The 70's...over 35 years ago! we've evolved! Catch up bucks county!
I am well aware what summer stock is, it's great.. Barns? and not great.
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