The Full Monty From Theatre 55 Leaves Nothing to the Imagination Featuring Six Very “Brave” Performances

The Full Monty is what it’s called, what it promises, and, I’m fairly certain, what it delivers. I say “fairly certain” because the show’s final reveal hinges on a well-timed lighting cue. The guys fully commit, and in the moment just before the blackout, there’s little doubt that once the G-strings are gone, so is everything else. So why, you might ask, should you go if they pull a trick at the end to prevent a clear look at their one-eyed trouser snakes? (Sorry—I saw Grumpy Old Men: The Musical on Sunday, and Grandpa’s one-liners are still rattling around in my head.)

Well, come on, if you want to see the penis’ (I don’t know what the plural is for penis, I’ve only ever had one of my own) of a bunch of men over 55 google it. You don’t really need to see the full package, because what you’re actually there for is the vulnerability, of both the performers and their characters. This show isn’t about sex or nudity; it’s about self-confidence, acceptance, being true to yourself, and showing up for each other. It’s about vulnerability, and who better to explore that than a group of men who often cope through toxic masculinity, bottling up feelings, and hiding fear and shame?

Based on the 1997 film of the same name, the musical relocates the story from Northern England to Buffalo, New York. Why? It doesn’t really matter, one economically depressed city facing mass unemployment looks a lot like another, and the story is universal. A group of out-of-work men, each desperate for their own reasons, money, dignity, or both, hatch a plan to raise cash by putting on a one night only strip show. The problem? Most of them aren’t in great shape, most can’t dance, and none have done anything like this before. The fun of the show, and it is fun, is watching them talk themselves from a ridiculous idea to the point where they’re ready to step onstage in front of a sold-out crowd.

There are some genuinely fun songs, highlights include “Big-Ass Rock,” “Big Black Man,” and “The Goods.” There are also a couple of surprisingly touching numbers, “You Rule My World” and “You Walk With Me,” both of which land with real emotional weight. I’m not going to lie, that’s part of the deal, remember, the performances are a little uneven. But honestly, that works for a show about a group of guys who no one would nominate as Chippendales material, trying to pull off a strip show. Nobodies bad, few are great, and they pretty much all completely win you over. Their willingness to give you everything they have, or at least a glimpse of it, is inspiring and genuinely endearing. 

So go for the… peniseses (?) (I did try and Google “plural Penis” and may have some explaining to do to Mrs. The Stages of MN), but stay for a show about figuring out what really matters. And for the joy of watching a group of artists over 55 prove they’re not done playin’ yet.

But hurry, this show closes this weekend, April 19, at the Frey Theatre at St. Catherine University. For more information and tickets, visit https://theatre55.org/current-show/

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