The Full Monty (musical)
The Full Monty is a musical with book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.
The Full Monty
2000 San Diego (tryout)
2000 Broadway
2001 North American tour
2002 West End
2002 North American tour
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music
In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
Productions[edit]
Original Broadway production[edit]
The Full Monty had its world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from June 1 through July 9, 2000.[1] The show opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on October 26, 2000, and closed on September 1, 2002, after 770 performances and 35 previews. The production was directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with musical direction by Ted Sperling, sets by John Arnone, lighting by Howell Binkley, and costumes by Robert Morgan. The opening night cast included Patrick Wilson as Jerry, John Ellison Conlee as Dave, Marcus Neville as Harold, Jason Danieley as Malcolm, André De Shields as Horse, Romain Frugé as Ethan, Lisa Datz as Pam, Annie Golden as Georgie, Emily Skinner as Vicki, and Kathleen Freeman as Jeanette.
Original West End production[edit]
The musical premiered in the West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre on March 12, 2002, and closed on November 23, 2002. The cast included original Broadway cast members Jason Danieley, André De Shields, John Ellison Conlee, Romain Frugé and Marcus Neville, with Jarrod Emick as Jerry and Dora Bryan as Jeanette.[2] The production won the London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical.[3]
Subsequent international productions[edit]
The Full Monty has been played in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and has been translated into multiple languages.
From October 16, 2001, through February 3, 2002, The Full Monty ran at the Teatre Novedades in Barcelona, being the first time the show was seen in Europe.[4] Directed by Mario Gas and translated to Catalan by Roser Batalla and Roger Peña, the cast included Marc Martínez as Jerry, Dani Claramunt as Dave, Xavier Mateu as Harold, Àngel Llàcer as Malcolm, Miquel Àngel Ripeu as Horse, Xavier Mestres as Ethan, Roser Batalla as Pam, Mercè Martínez as Georgie, Mone as Vicki, and Carme Contreras as Jeanette.[5]
In 2003, the musical was translated to Danish and played at the closed-down Tuborg Brewery bottling plant in Copenhagen, and the story was changed to the men being let off from Brewers. The role of Jerry (renamed Jesper in Danish) was played by the actor/comedian Peter Mygind. The musical ran from October 30 until December 20, 2003.[6]
An Australian production opened at the State Theatre in Melbourne on 6 January 2004 (after previewing from 31 December 2003), featuring Matt Hetherington, David Harris, Paul Mercurio, Michael Veitch, Queenie van de Zandt and Val Jellay.[7] It was not commercially successful, with the Melbourne season closing early and a Sydney season cancelled.[8][9]
A production opened in the Czech Republic in Liberec in 2005. The show translated literally as Donaha! is currently played in 3 different theatres in Czech Republic.
In South Korea, the musical was performed in Korean at 'Yeon-gang Hall' (theatre) in Seoul, from November 25, 2006, to February 25, 2007. Comedian Jeong Jun-ha (as Dave) was one of the cast.[10]
A South African production starring Judy Page as Janet Burmeister, played in Cape Town (Artscape Theatre) and Johannesburg (The Johannesburg Civic Theatre) from July through October 2008.[11] Page won the Naledi Theatre Award for best Actress in a Musical. It was directed by David Bowns and produced by Creative Entertainment.[12]
In regional theatre, the Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey presented the musical in June–July 2009, starring Elaine Stritch as Jeanette.[13]
A production directed by Thom Southerland ran at the Broadway Studio in Catford, South East London, in November 2009 and then transferred to the Off West End at the New Players Theatre from December 3, 2009, through January 2, 2010.[14]
In 2013, a French adaptation was produced by TV producer Gilles Ganzmann, and played for a short time on stage in Paris. Although it was short-lived, it got rave reviews. The book and most of the songs were adapted in French by Nathaniel Brendel. A couple songs were adapted by Baptiste Charden. The show was choreographed by Fauve Hautot.[15]
A Philippine version was staged at the RCBC Plaza starring Mark Bautista, Arnel Ignacio, Marco Sison, OJ Mariano, and Jamie Wilson.[16]
In 2017, a revival was staged at the National Theatre in Melbourne, Australia.[17] The cast featured mostly local actors, as well as special guest appearances (during certain performances) from Australian Idol finalist Rob Mills, AFL footballer Brodie Holland, and radio presenter Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann.[17] The show ran from March 3 through March 19.[17]
A Spanish language production opened on October 27, 2021 at the Teatro Rialto in Madrid, with Samuel Gómez as Jerry, Falco Cabo as Dave, José Navar as Harold, Gustavo Rodríguez as Malcolm, Piñaki Gómez as Horse, Carlos Salgado as Ethan, Marta Arteta as Pam, Silvia Villaú as Georgie, Begoña Álvarez as Vicki, and Marta Malone as Jeanette.[18]