By Amy A. Winnemore
The Players Club of Swarthmore brings six average Joes to the stage with their season finale musical “The Full Monty.” Based on the 1997 movie featuring six British blue-collar out of work steelworkers, the musical version has them living in Buffalo, N.Y. After seeing their wives’ enthusiasm for a touring Chippendales act, Jerry Lukowski (Brian Seaman) works to convince his friend David Bukatinsky (Joe Tabasco) and recruit several other down on their luck fellas to present a one-night only strip act.
With his strong voice and self-deprecating attitude, Tabasco is great as the “Fat Bastard” Bukatinsky. The rest of the strip act, especially Ben Long is entertaining as the awkward laid-off steelworker Malcolm MacGregor. His excellent voice is showcased during “You Walk With Me.” The most laugh out loud moment was Noah “Horse” T. Simmons’ (Robert Harris) solo song “Big Black Man.” This was Harris’ first show at PCS after a 20-year hiatus, and the audience could see he still had the musical and dancing chops. Strutting across the stage, Harris owned the role he’s played four times and finished the number with a split. Alfred Lance Jr., as professional stripper Buddy “Keno” Walsh, was hilarious as he performed his dance numbers in gold short shorts.
A few sound issues throughout the musical on opening night, did make it difficult to understand the actors’ lines though. Especially so during “It’s a Woman’s World” which featured Sherri Carr as Georgie Bukatinksy and the female ensemble at the strip club, when the lines were drowned out by the orchestra.
While the men were the featured characters in the musical, Connie Pelesh’s voice and dance steps stood out during her performance as Vicki Nichols, the wife of laid off steelworker Harold Nichols (Tim Whelan).
Directors Emily Aaron Fishman and Anne Marie Scalies reveal the characters working through their fears and anxieties about performing their strip act, as they find more in common than not.
The simple set, designed by Derek Jay Ross, featured an urban setting of dark brick walls, sheet metal doors, harsh lighting and trashcans. The dark colors contribute to the downtrodden feel of the laid-off Buffalo steelworkers, and the industrial materials indicate a connection the characters have to the materials they are used to working with.
The mood created by the set is quickly lifted with the bright lights and dance music of “Let it Go,” which features the guys in their strip act. Dressed in police uniforms, you’ll have to watch the musical in person to see if they do “let it go.”
Running time: about two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
“The Full Monty” runs: Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. at The Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore. To see what’s playing next visit them online or call 610-328-4271.
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| The cast of "The Full Monty" at Players Club of Swarthmore |
A few sound issues throughout the musical on opening night, did make it difficult to understand the actors’ lines though. Especially so during “It’s a Woman’s World” which featured Sherri Carr as Georgie Bukatinksy and the female ensemble at the strip club, when the lines were drowned out by the orchestra.
While the men were the featured characters in the musical, Connie Pelesh’s voice and dance steps stood out during her performance as Vicki Nichols, the wife of laid off steelworker Harold Nichols (Tim Whelan).
Directors Emily Aaron Fishman and Anne Marie Scalies reveal the characters working through their fears and anxieties about performing their strip act, as they find more in common than not.
The simple set, designed by Derek Jay Ross, featured an urban setting of dark brick walls, sheet metal doors, harsh lighting and trashcans. The dark colors contribute to the downtrodden feel of the laid-off Buffalo steelworkers, and the industrial materials indicate a connection the characters have to the materials they are used to working with.
The mood created by the set is quickly lifted with the bright lights and dance music of “Let it Go,” which features the guys in their strip act. Dressed in police uniforms, you’ll have to watch the musical in person to see if they do “let it go.”
Running time: about two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
“The Full Monty” runs: Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. at The Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore. To see what’s playing next visit them online or call 610-328-4271.
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