The Full Monty
book by Terrence McNally
music and lyrics by David Yazbek
May 2005
The Gallery Players, Brooklyn, NY
First NYC Revival
Producer: Katie Adams
Director: Matt Schicker
Choreographer: Dax Valdes
Musical Director: Ken Legum
Set Design: Tim Amrhein
Lighting Design: Mike Jones
Costume Design: Melissa Beverage
Assistant Director: Brian Mulay
Production Stage Manager: Jodi Witherell
Cast: Holden Berryman, Dann B. Black*, Darron Cardosa*, Lauren Chapman, Tiffany Green, Michael Hiller, Mitchell Jarvis*, Dennis Michael Keefe, Erin Lestikow, Luis Manzi, Patti McClure, Tricia Norris, Gavino Olvera, Julian Pavlin, Kim Ramsey*, Michael Roth, Brandon Straka, Matt Stevens, Logan Tracey, Aimee Trumbore, Chris Whyde, Scott Windham, Elizabeth Wipff
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
What I’m Most Proud Of: One of my happiest theatrical expriences! Monty is the cream-of-the-crop of musicals in my opinion. It has a perfect book by Terrence McNally which seamlessly is integrated with David Yazbek’s ingenious, memorable score. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I had a bang-up cast who knocked each performance out of the park and a terrific production team who were as excited about the show as I was. Audiences were ecstatic!
Mitch Jarvis (right) and Scott Windham both were lovable and totally believable as best buddies Jerry Lukowski and Dave Bukatinsky. People really were rooting for these “regular joes” to become strippers!
Darron Cardosa was as good a Malcolm as you could imagine and totally stole the hearts (and funnybones) of the audience.
Dann B. Black knocked ‘em dead every night as Noah “Horse” Simmons, the role so memorably originated by André De Shields. Dann made it his own and had people cheering, laughing, and crying – so much fun to watch.
For me, the story of Monty hinges on the relationship between Jerry and his young son, Nathan; after all, Jerry puts the strip show together to pay his child support for the boy he loves so much. I think I’m most proud of Julian Pavlin, then 12 years old, who more than held his own with the older actors, and came up with a very solid portrayal of Nathan.
Ultimately, though, the real measure of success for Monty is how much the audience loves the quintet of lead guys, and in that respect The Gallery Players production certainly was a hit! (The show also sold out!)
Reviews and Quotes:
“It’s a lovely production and I’m very happy with it.”
Terrence McNally in The Daily News
“Not every local group would boast performers of this caliber, nor an assured director like Matt Schicker, who, besides helming a well-paced production, gives full value to the human drama. There’s more warmth here than on Broadway. At the conclusion of the company’s first performance, book writer McNally was beaming.”
Harry Forbes, Back Stage
“The Gallery Players put on a Monty whose authenticity and entertainment value were equal to that of the Broadway production.”
André De Shields, star of the original Broadway production of The Full Monty
“Director Matt Schicker has, to his great credit, located the joyful life-affirming center of this show, and every moment of his superb staging supports The Full Monty’s singular defining idea: that life is hard and short and so may as well be enjoyed and celebrated, every chance we get. Schicker’s staging is hugely successful in every department. He’s cast the show with actors who look like real guys, as opposed to pretty boys; all six of his leading men are very convincing, as well as quite talented.”
Martin Denton, nytheatre.com
“Monty allows for great interpretation and director Matt Schicker has gone back not to copying the Broadway show but to the source material, the staging and the emphasis being very different. The actors have been allowed to find their own pace and emphasis. In a remarkably short rehearsal period Matt and the cast have pulled off a coup.”
On Off-Off
“For those seeking a raucous, inspired theater experience which also has dramatic depth, take a trip to 14th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues in Park Slope for The Gallery Players’ production and first New York City revival of Tony-award winner Terrence McNally’s The Full Monty, with music by David Yazbek. The intimate environment of Brooklyn’s premier off-off-Broadway enclave doubles the fun as the vibrant and eclectic cast unflinchingly brings the audience into an experience of the triumph of the human spirit while boldly and smartly challenging sexual and emotional boundries.”
The Brooklyn Eagle
“Now, for the first time since its exposure on Broadway, The Full Monty is back in town at The Gallery Players, and it’s EVERYTHING one would expect…the concept is so engaging and The Gallery Players’ cast, directed by Matt Schicker, is so enthusiastic and sincere, that the show is irresistible.”
The Brooklyn Papers
“Director Matt Schicker deserves accolades for helming such a tight production and, most important, for pulling together a gifted ensemble.”
Off-Off Online
“How lucky McNally and Yazbek are that it is The Gallery Players behind this revival. Their capable cast, impressive production values, and upbeat direction have made this a genuine boon to the Off-Off-Broadway community. The direction by Matt Schicker brings out the fun of this show. Those who missed the Broadway run will do well to catch this incarnation. In fact this production is something all theatre-goers shouldn’t miss.”
Off-Off Broadway Review
“In recent years, The Gallery Players of Brooklyn have offered top-notch stagings of such disparate shows as The Most Happy Fella, Chess, and Hair, so I’m not at all surprised that they’re now doing such an excellent job with The Full Monty. As directed by Matt Schicker and choreographed by Dax Valdes, with musical direction by Ken Legum, this is a damn fine production of a show that would have lasted much longer on Broadway if it hadn’t had The Producers to contend with.”
Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania
More Photos (all photos by David Fechtor):
Keno (Brandon Straka, right) strips for Georgie (Kim Ramsey, left).
(l to r) Mitch Jarvis as Jerry, Darron Cardosa as Malcolm, and Scott Windham as Dave, singing “Big Ass Rock”.
Patti McClure as Vicki Nichols.
Dann B. Black as Horse is about to bust a move and shock the guys at the table (and the audience)!
The guys get into the groove.
(l to r) Mitch Jarvis as Jerry, Scott Windham as Dave, and Gavino Olvera as Ethan.
Marriage trouble.
Mike Roth as Harold Nichols.
Mitch Jarvis as Jerry and Aimee Trumbore as Pam.
(l to r) Dann B. Black as Horse and Tricia Norris as Jeannette. Very funny actors.
The women of The Full Monty.
The men of The Full Monty.
Mitch’s version of the song “Breeze Off the River” is gorgeous.
(l to r) Darron Cardosa as Malcolm and Gavino Olvera as Ethan, singing “You Walk With Me”.
All’s well that ends well!
Take it off!
André De Shields with Dann B. Black after a performance of Monty.
Annie Golden, the original Georgie, visits Kim Ramsey after a performance.
Terrence McNally (kneeling, center) with the cast of The Full Monty.
