On July 14, 2005, a fire destroyed the auditorium at the award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT), forcing it to close its production of Cinderella and present Abyssinia and Camelot in Boston at The Shubert Theatre. However, on November 1, NSMT will return to its renovated home in Beverly and present an all new and exciting production of THE FULL MONTY created specifically for the unique theatre in-the-round. Running from November 1 – 20, THE FULL MONTY is sponsored by Sheraton Ferncroft, Danvers, and the 2005 musical season is sponsored by Comcast.
‘Recovering from the fire and re-opening our doors in just over 3 months is a testament to the drive, determination and passion of the entire staff and Board of Trustees at NSMT,’ said Jon Kimbell, NSMT’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer. ‘I could not be more proud.’
With book by Tony Award winner Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spiderwoman) and music and lyrics by pop composer David Yazbek (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), THE FULL MONTY, based on the record- breaking 1997 Academy Award-nominated hit film by the same name, is hailed by critics as ‘a genuine musical comedy,’ ‘full of brilliance,’ ‘witty,’ ‘funny,’ and ‘exhilarating.’.
THE FULL MONTY, is the raucous, heartfelt story of six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York who go to great lengths to make some cash and help out a friend in trouble. When a local male strip show ‘ whose dancers venture down to their G-strings ‘ is a hit with the local women, the cash- strapped factory workers figure they can really cash in if they go ‘the full Monty.’ The buddies, desperate for self- respect, must overcome their fears, their nerves, and their clothes for a shot at success.
Four-time Tony Award-winning writer McNally adapted the screen hit for the stage and added his own unique brand of American comedy to the story. ‘The show is about friendship, about being a parent,’ said McNally. ‘It’s also about an image- obsessed society that says you have to look like Brad Pitt. This show says quite the opposite,’ he continues. ‘It celebrates everybody for exactly who they are.’
Composer David Yazbek, winner of the 2001 Drama Desk Award, explains, ‘THE FULL MONTY is a sports story. It’s not about stripping. It’s a bunch of guys who get together and form a team. There are ups and downs, and, in the end, they win.’
The creative team for THE FULL MONTY will include Barry Ivan (Director / Choreographer), Dale Rieling (Music Director), Dex Edwards (Scenic Designer), Susan Picinich (Costume Designer), David Neville (Lighting Designer), John A. Stone (Sound Design), Gerard Kelly (Hair and Wig Design), Dave Clemmons (Casting) and Bethany Ford (Production Stage Manager).
Tickets for THE FULL MONTY are priced from $68 to $35. Performances are November 1 – 20, 2005, Plays Tue. ‘ Sun. For show times, tickets and information log onto www.nsmt.org, call (978) 232-7200, or visit the Box Office in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly, MA 01915.
Related free events: 11/8: Meet the Theatre after the 7pm performance, post show audience discussion with the artists; 11/13: Spotlight on History, a free pre-show discussion focusing on historical issues related to the performance; 11/17: Out at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post show reception; 11/19: Meet the Theatre after the 2pm performance, post show audience discussion with the artists.