SRT’s ‘The Full Monty’ – That and so Much More

When the town of Buffalo finds itself reeling from the aftershocks of the town’s largest employer, the steel factory, closing and unemployment becomes rampant, it seems that no one in the town is left untouched by this event; from executives to janitors, from steel workers to factory guards, many find themselves with their wives working to support them or standing in the unemployment line. While others finds themselves living in denial, hoping for a miracle.

After seeing a gaggle of woman in town dropping a pretty penny to see a male strip show, unemployed steel worker Jerry Lukowski (Leland Burnet) begins to hatch a plan. Dragging his best friend Dave Bukatinski (Freddy Geils) along for the ride, the budding entrepreneur discovers that the common bond of unemployment, friendship and the love of your family can turn six unkempt, uncoordinated, and by societies standards unsexy men into swarthy, exotic dancers ready to bare it all…giving the awaiting crowd just what they came for…the full monty.

Noah ‘Horse’ T. Simmons (Keith Patrick McCoy) schlepped on the stage with such panache his skill in acting was clearly evident. The simple use of the words ‘schlep’ and ‘panache’ in the same sentence should be enough to make anyone curious enough to figure out how someone could possibly accomplish this act…well Mr. McCoy did just that. Add in his creative and energetic dancing styles, all played down to coordinate with that of an aging steel worker and McCoy is an actor worth keeping your eye on.

Malcom MacGregor (Morgan Reynolds) pegged the nerdy night factory guard to a tee. Still living at home with mommy yet somehow wrangled into Jerry’s stripper scheme, Malcom shyly yet with resolve and quite a bit of humor, embraces the whole plan, finishing off with a bang.

The whole cast was incredible, the story line heart wrenchingly realistic, yet with humor pervading every aspect of every scene, leaving the audience in stitches and the memory of another incredible SRT play firmly ingrained in the memory of the viewers. Well done SRT…well done.

‘The Full Monty’ plays at the East Sonora Playhouse through July 3, 2011.

For full cast information, tickets sales and show times please visit http://www.sierrarep.org/

By, Charity Maness