With ambitious plans to begin a full season in January 2008, the San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) launched itself May 4 with an impressive production of David Yazbeck and Terrence McNally’s “The Full Monty,” playing at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre (2891 University Ave.) through May 13 only.
The show is a tough sell to San Diegans, who are by now seasoned “Monty” fans, having experienced the British film and the musical’s world premiere and touring productions, which were staged by Jack O’Brien. However, SDMT’s inaugural effort is laudable from many standpoints.
Though he lacks the sweetness and easy charm of Tony award nominee Patrick Wilson, who originated the role of Jerry Lukowski at the Old Globe in 2000, Broadway veteran Allan Snyder has the pipes and swagger. San Diego’s Ari Lerner, by now a seasoned veteran of four seasons in O’Brien’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and numerous local productions, is adorable as Jerry’s son, Nathan.
Jerry and his pal Dave Bukatinsky (John Massey Jr.) are unemployed Buffalo steel workers. Both are down in the dumps ” Jerry because he’s about to lose visitation rights with Nathan, and Dave because he’s become so fat. One of Yazbek’s genius numbers is the duet “You Rule My World,” which Bukatinsky sings to his ample belly and the unemployed steel mill boss, Harold Nichols (the excellent Andy Collins), sings to his spendthrift wife. Another is “You Walk With Me,” sung by the suicidal Malcolm (Kevin McMahon) and his newfound friend and lover, Ethan (David Cooper). As Horse, Reggie Burrell brings down the house with the hit song “Big Black Man.”
Jerry and Dave hatch a scheme to put on a Chippendales-type strip show, with something extra, the Full Monty (a British term meaning totally naked). They enlist four other guys, “Horse,” Harold, Malcolm and Ethan, and rehearse with veteran pianist Jeanette Burmeister (Priscilla Allen). The women, including Jerry’s ex (Dana Shaw) and Dave’s wife (Amy Biedel), fare less well in the production, staged by Nick De Gruccio and choreographed by Lee Martino. The climax of the show, of course, is the men’s “Let It Go” in which six regular guys of all sizes and shapes take it all off.
Credit is due local maestro Don Le Master, who acts as musical director/conductor/contractor, and to his spot-on 12-piece orchestra, populated with well-known musicians ” including Rayme Sciaroni on keyboard. In the future, diligent attention should be paid to the challenges of amplified sound in the North Park Theatre, which in its remodeling was designed to be acoustic ” that is, amplification free. Balance between body-miked singers and between singers and the orchestra was uneven at times. Belt-singers fared less well than the sweet-voiced McMahon.
For the most part, however, the production ” a grand initial effort, slick and worthy ” augurs well for SDMT, which must find an audience and angels to survive. Beginning in January, the inaugural full season includes “Guys and Dolls,” “Cinderella” and “Dreamgirls.”
“The Full Monty” plays at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through May 13.
Tickets ($25-$40) are available by visiting www.SDMT.org or calling (858) 560-5740.
