Sheila Francisco Stars As Jeanette Burmeister In THE FULL MONTY Singapore, 6/18-7/4

Filipino musical theatre star Sheila Francisco ("South Pacific"- UK , "High School Musical On Stage" - Manila) does another star turn by portraying the cynical role of Jeanette Burmeister in Pangdemonium's  inaugural production of Broadway hit "The Full Monty" at the Drama Center Theatre in Singapore, with performances from June 18 to July 4, 2010.

Jeanette, a toughie, show biz oldie, and piano accompanist to a host of male strippers, was the same role that Broadway legend Elaine Stritch ("Company", " A Little Night Music" by July 2010) played with great zest, and whose Act Two showstopper "Jeanette's Showbiz Number" stunned theatre critics and audiences alike when "The Full Monty" was staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey last year.

 "THE FULL MONTY isn't just about stripping! It's about love for family and friends. In fact, the subject matter is so current - desperate measures for desperate times...You go all the way (the full monty) for the people you love," said Ms. Francisco.

"The Full Monty" is the Americanized stage adaptation of 1997 British film turned sleeper hit of the same title, featuring a fascinating and  brutally frank book written by Terrence McNally, and a jazz-tinged score created by David Yazbek.  The musical is set in Buffalo, New York, which follows the everyday struggles with poverty of six desperate and unemployed steelworkers, and the greatest sacrifices that they have to make to let the world know how much they love their respective families.

The Tony-nominated musical premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California. It  subsequently opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on October 26, 2000 playing 770 performances.  The New York production was directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by John Mitchell.

Although the piece had been staged in other Asian countries like  Korea, Japan and Hong Kong already, the production that opens this weekend at the Drama Center Theatre is showing for first time in Singapore.  "The Full Monty" here is being mounted by real-life couple and UK-trained theatre practitioners Adrian and Tracie Pang under their newly-established family enterprise christened as Pangdemonium Productions Pte Ltd.  The company sets its eyes on "creating English-language works which are accessible, relevant, inspiring, challenging, and above all, of the highest artistic and entertainment value - (the company) aims to bring their work to a diverse audience, in a league with the very best of theatre internationally."

In Pangdemonium's debut production of "The Full Monty", Mr. Pang also assumes the male lead role of Jerry Lukowski. This production, interestingly, also features the Pangs' real-life sons Zac and Zander, who will alternately play the role of Jerry's child Nathan in the musical.

Apart from Ms. Francisco and the Pangs, "The Full Monty" showcases professional theatre talents from both the UK and Singapore stage that include Andy Hockley, Hossan Leong, Daniel Jenkins, Lim Yu-Beng, Ebi Shankara, George Tan, Celine Rosa Tan, Denise Tan, Carina Hales, Candice de Rosario, Jo Tan, Seong Hui Xuan, Richard Sia, Darius Tan, Andrew Lua and Rishi Budhrani.

Directed by Mrs. Pang, the production team is also comprised of Babes Conde as musical director, Bill Calhoun as choreographer, Philip Engelheart as production designer, Mac Chan as lighting designer, Shah Tahir as sound designer, and Haslina Ismail as hair and makeup designer.

For tickets to "The Full Monty" in Singapore, contact SISTIC at 6348-5555 or visit www.sistic.com.sg.

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