The real Full Monty

Mention The Full Monty  and you will definitely get a lot of giggles and snickers and then the dismissal that it is just a strip show. There are indeed scenes wherein the male leads will be on stage in their undies and there is this big scene in the finale where they will go the real full monty, which means beyond undies. But The Full Monty is so much more than that. 

Written by David Yazbeck and based on the acclaimed motion picture of the same title, it is a heartwarming musical about the triumph of the human spirit. And I am glad that we will have the chance to experience its beautiful message when Viva Atlantis Theatricals brings the show to the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza in Makati on weekends from April 19 to May 5.

Set in Buffalo, New York, The Full Monty is about six unemployed mill workers who hatch up a plan to make some money by putting up a strip show. Females pay to watch the Chippendales, so why not them, they thought. It is while in the process of putting their act together that they discover truths about themselves, their feelings about the people around them and of how they are not really worthless despite being unemployed and certainly not looking like a Chippendale dancer.

Director Chari Arrespacochaga has assembled a group of actors of varied talents and looks to play the lead roles. She is pleased with her cast. “They are exceptionally talented and are so committed to the show and everything it entails. They get the joy and the hope that is at the heart of the story. And that is what we want to share with everyone in Manila,” she says.

These now are the guys who are now probably experiencing anxiety attacks over how they will survive that finale scene where they will dance to Let It Go. I see no need for worry. I am sure that by the time they get to that scene the audience will already be so caught up with their stories and heartily cheering them on to do The Full Monty.

Singing heartthrob Mark Bautista, who made his theater debut as Ibarra in last year’s hit production of the Bienvenido Lumbera-Ryan Cayabyab Noli musical, is Jerry Lukowski, who is on the verge of losing not only the custody but also the respect of his son. Comedian and TV host Arnell Ignacio, who in case you do not know is a music major from the University of the Philippines College of Music and used to sing opera, is Harold Nichols, the one who is hiding his unemployment from his family. 

The romantic balladeer Marco Sison, who made his theater debut some years ago in Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino, is the retired Noah “Horse” Simmons, who is a mean dancer. Theater stalwart Jamie Wilson, who is currently in the cast of Piaf, is Dave Bukatinsky who is wrestling with his weight. TV reality show discovery OJ Mariano is the security guard Malcolm MacGregor, who is the suicidal Mama’s boy of the batch. And then there is returning pop singer Nino Alejandro who is making his theater debut as the funny guy and aspiring dancer Ethan Girard.

They all promise to do the full monty and most of all will show off their acting and singing talents. The Full Monty has an excellent musical score with many memorable songs. In fact, it won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music and was also nominated as Outstanding Musical. It was also nominated at the Tony Awards for Best Musical, plus eight other categories. 

I hope that these serious credentials for excellence will finally put to rest the misconception that The Full Monty is just a strip show. This is drama that is serious, funny and poignant. This is moving ballads and infectious pop tunes. It will surely make for many enjoyable evenings when it finally makes the local stage.

Tickets to The Full Monty are on sale now. Limited fundraising opportunities for show buyers are still available. For details, call Viva Atlantis Theatricals Inc. at 892-7078 or 0917-8381534 or visit www.vivaatlantistheatricals.com. Shows are scheduled on Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.