THE FULL MONTY Opens Tonight at City Theater

The Full Monty Musical, book by Terrence McNally, music and lyrics by David Yazbek, coming to Biddeford's City Theater today, July 11th-27th, tells the story of Jerry Lukowski, an unemployed steel worker, too proud to take entry-level work, who along with his best pal, Dave Bukatinski, sneaks into a Chippendales performance, to spy on Dave's wife, Georgie (Ashley Christie, Steep Falls), where they hatch a get-rich-quick scheme, which relies on their ability to outdo the Chippendales at their own game... with a little help from Keno, a discontented Chippendale dancer (Brandon O'Roak, S. Portland), Jeannette (Gretchen Wood, Shapleigh), a 'very-retired' music director, and, quite frankly, the last person they ever thought they would ask for help!

As Dave, played by Ryan Lane, and Jerry, played by Chris Austin (both from Portland), work to assemble their team, they find they must help each other through some very personal challenges along the way, including Jerry's messy divorce from Pam (Rebecca Cole, Windham), who is engaged to Teddy (Charlie Cole, Windham), and fighting for custody of son Nathan (Gaia Ayres, Saco; & West Bourgeois-Lang, Gorham).

Harold (Jonathan Carr, Portland) has kept the plant closing secret from his wife, Vicki (Sarah Thurston, Portland), and is desperately trying to find a new job before the money runs out. Malcolm (Jim Gaddis, Westbrook) is on the brink of suicide, and struggles for some independence from his domineering mother, Molly (Jean Potts, Standish). Ethan (JP Furey, Scarborough) who despite a great longing to dance like Donald O'Connor in SINGING IN THE RAIN, has virtually no dance ability whatsoever... yet in other ways he was clearly born to dance 'Full Monty.' Noah 'Horse' Simmons (Thomas Smallwood, Portland) though possessed of remarkable dance skills, he has been unable to keep a job since the mill closed, is hired based on expectations based on urban legend, expectations he's not quite sure he can meet.

The supporting cast is rounded out by Paul Bell (Portland), who plays the Minister, and doubles as a stripper (and 'triples' as our co-Costumer!); Eric Brown (Saco) as Reg, the union leader who can't get his people to help themselves; Schuyler White (Kennebunk) as Marty, in mourning for the Mill and the town; Greg Brackett (Saco), as Tony, the owner of the dance club; Alyssa Rojecki (Gorham) as Jerry's 'sometimes girlfriend' Estelle; Katie Getz (S. Portland) as Susan; Zoey Rausch (Portland) as Joanie; Leslie Lampert (OOB) as Delores; Flyod Woods (Portland) as Gary.

All tickets are $20 and are available at www.CityTheater.org or (207) 282-0849.

Photo credit: Audra Hatch