The Ogunquit Playhouse kicks off its 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Season with Sally Struthers and Hunter Foster starring in The Full Monty, which opens on June 12th. Emmy Award-winning actress Struthers returns for her fifth season in Ogunquit and will play the role of Jeannette, while Tony-nominee Foster, who originated the role of Bobby Strong in the Broadway and Off-Broadway companies of Urinetown, will make his debut on the historic Playhouse stage in the role of Jerry.
"Nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, The Full Monty will have audiences cheering as six unemployed steel workers from Buffalo come up with a bold plan to make some quick cash. Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during 'Girls' Night Out,' Jerry, played by Foster, suggests they perform their own strip show. Under the guidance of show-biz savvy accompanist, Jeanette, played by Struthers, they begin rehearsals. Not only must they learn to dance and strip, they must confront their own very real fears and insecurities. In this heartwarming story, they find not only strength of friendship, but that the strength they find in each other gives them the individual courage to face their own demons - and overcome them," as the show is described in press materials.
Best known to audiences as a member of the dysfunctional family quartet in the milestone sitcom "All in the Family," Struthers received two Emmy awards for her performance as daughter Gloria Bunker-Stivic. In addition to her work in the beloved '70s comedy, Struthers has a host of theatrical appearances to her credit. Today, she has a new legion of television fans that know her for her recurring role on the critically acclaimed "Gilmore Girls." Struthers has become a favorite among New England audiences, having performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse for four seasons now in their productions of Always…Patsy Cline (2003 and 2004), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2005) and Hello, Dolly! (2006).
Hunter Foster, straight from a successful run on Broadway where he starred as Leo Bloom in The Producers, received a Tony nomination for his work as Seymour Krelbourn in Little Shop of Horrors and Outer Critic Circle and Lortel Awards for his role as Bobby Strong in Urinetown. Other Broadway credits include Grease, Footloose and Les Misérables.
Struthers and Foster will be reunited on stage, having worked together in the Broadway revival of Grease in 1994. Joining Struthers and Foster is Nick Dalton, most recently seen on television's, "Grease, You're The One That I Want," as Ethan. Dalton has performed in the Las Vegas production of Hairspray, the national tour of Hair, and in a variety of musicals and television productions.
Keith Andrews will direct and choreograph the show, while Ken Clifton will serve as Music Director. Previously, Andrews has directed the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, as well as directing and choreographing at many regional and stock theaters. Clifton returns to Ogunquit for his second season.
Performances are Tuesday-Friday Evenings at 8:00 PM; Saturday at 8:30 PM; Matinees are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 PM and new for 2007, Sundays at 3:30 PM. Tickets range from $39-$48 and can be purchased by calling the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207.646.5511 or visiting the web site at www.ogunquitplayhouse.org, where the box office never closes.
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