Big Ass Rock

The Full Monty

It’s hard to believe that this musical, based upon a popular British film of the same name from the late 1990’s, is almost a quarter of a century old! The reason for its beloved reputation is partly due to the fact that the story couldn’t be more timely. It’s about six out of work, out of shape steel workers trying to find a way to make a living and still maintain some shred of dignity. The men looking self respect are husbands, sons, parents, bread winners and, quite simply men. The result is a Big Ass Rock of a musical filled with humor and pathos. 

This musical was adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Terrance McNally (THE VISIT, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN) with a catchy pop-rock score by Tony winner composer/lyricist David Yazbek (TOOTSIE, THE BAND’S VISIT). Their collaboration was enthusiastically received on Broadway, both by the public and the critics. The production was nominated for nine Tony Awards and took home the 2001 Drama Desk Award for Yazbek’s outstanding music. Now, 24 years later, this show is every bit as relevant and entertaining as when it first opened, given our country’s recent dismal economic picture.

Paramount’s multitalented and distinguished theatre artist, Jeff Award-winning Artistic Director, Jim Corti has staged this crowd-pleasing new production as the theatre’s season opening show. He’s ably assisted by Choreographer Tor Campbell and Musical Director, Kory Danielson, who also conducts the production’s brilliant, 13-piece pit orchestra. Mr. Corti has cast what seems like the perfect ensemble of actors for bringing this blue collar story to life. And once again the innovative Paramount creative team, consisting of Scenic Designer Michelle Lilly, Lighting Designer Heather Gilbert and Sound Designer Adam Rosenthal have created an exciting and flexible stage environment that’s both appropriate and inventive. Together, this team portrays a modern day, middle class Buffalo, New York. And the cast is authentically clothed and bewigged by the masterly Costumer Izumi Inaba and Hair & Makeup mistress Katie Cordts. 

A recent Chicago transplant from Broadway, the handsome and talented Ben Mayne brilliantly heads up the cast as Jerry Lukowski. Seen in the Marriott’s BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING STORY as producer, Lou Adler, Mr. Mayne soulfully portrays a single dad desperately trying against all odds to find work, while still maintaining a civil relationship with his ex-wife. But the most important thing in Jerry’s life is holding onto his son, Nathan. The wise-byond-his-years 12-year-old was played beautifully by talented young Ellis Myers on opening night (seen earlier this year as Jason Alexander’s feisty son in Chicago Shakespeare’s terrific JUDGMENT DAY), and alternates in the role at various performances with Will Daly. Ben Mayne is an excellent actor, an accomplished singer and, despite his character’s modesty, a terrific dancer. Ben also manages to maintain that delicate balance necessary to keep Jerry realistically grounded, while still being able to find the humor in every dramatic situation.  

Jerry’s so far behind in child support payments that there seems to be no way out.  However, after noticing the unbridled popularity of the Chippendale entertainers who have come to town,  Jerry convinces his unemployed buddies that the perfect way for them to solve their financial problems is to collectively turn themselves into a lean, mean dancing machine. What will make their six-member troupe of average-looking male strippers even more popular, he reasons, is that they’ll end their act by taking it all off, providing audiences with “The Full Monty.”    

In addition to being part of an ensemble, each character gets his own special moment to shine in this production. Jared David Michael Grant, a familiar face at Paramount, makes a lovable Dave. As Jerry’s teddy bear-like best buddy, Dave’s lengthy unemployment has led to depression.The result is that Jerry has gradually turned into a house-husband, while his wife works at a local big box store and brings home the bacon. He’s also become much more devoted to junk food than to his dear Georgie.

 Malcolm, joyously played with unlimited talent by Adam Fane, creates a young man who’s not suffering simply because he’s out of work. He’s been living a suffocating existence at home with his sick, dehumanizing mother. Malcolm also feels that some kind of alternative life style may be for him, but he’s not sure how to live it. Mr. Fane’s gorgeous voice soars in his touching ballad, “You Walk with Me,” a tribute both to his mother and to his new-found friend, Ethan. Warmly played by Diego Vazquez Gomez, Ethan is a personable character and an audience favorite. Ethan and Malcolm eventually discover that they’re more alike than they initially imagined. Bernard Dotson is both funny and moving as Noah “Horse” Simmons, particularly in his show stopping number, “Big Black Man.” And Jackson Evans transforms Harold, the guys’ former strict boss, from a rigid man in deep financial difficulty and self-denial, to someone who’s open and available to others. Harold learns, through his brotherhood with the other five men, to accept and enjoy everything that life has to offer.

But we mustn’t forget the show’s women who are equally strong presences, especially Veronica Garza as Dave’s wife Georgie, Rebecca Hurd as Jerry’s ex-wife, Pam, and Ann Delaney as Harold’s enthusiastic, material-minded spouse, Vicki. But the woman who stops the show every time she opens her mouth or raises an eyebrow is one of Chicago’s favorite character actors, Liz Pazik. As Jeanette, the boys’ talented audition accompanist and mentor, a cigarette dangling from her crimson lips, no one knows where she came from. She “just showed up with her piano in tow.” Throughout her decades in show business Jeanette’s known everyone, seen more than she can describe and done it all throughout the years. And if anyone in this cast can hold her own against a half dozen gyrating male strippers in police uniforms, it’s this Broadway baby.  

Paramount has done it again and their new season is off to a wild start with this R-rated musical. Jim Corti has staged and refined the show, making it into a very funny, yet warmly-conceived production. As the curtain fell, the audience immediately leapt to their feet in appreciation and delight. THE FULL MONTY reminds us that a person’s self respect is every bit as important as his financial and biological needs. The musical isn’t just a toe-tapping tuneful, “Big Ass Rock,” it’s a poignant story that’s as contemporary as today’s headlines, full of pumping contemporary tunes and beautiful, haunting ballads. A trip to the Paramount Theatre is, as always, well worth the visit.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 23-October 6 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount Theatre box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.