Goosebumps

In 2005, I wrote in this column about our neighbors to the east in South Bend.

At the time, the South Bend Citizens for Community Values, which have been on a crusade for years against the strip clubs in South Bend, were outraged that the Broadway Community League was bringing the touring company of "The Full Monty" to their Morris Civic Auditorium.

This very funny story of out-of-work steel workers who decide to do a one night strip gig to make money for their families has played in our area and Chicago for years, without so much as a whimper.

At the time, I kidded that the members of this advocacy group for decency would soon be in the local drugstores of South Bend painting clothes on the little girl on the bottles of Coppertone suntanning lotion.

At least "The Full Monty" always has a place to hang a hat (plus pants, shirt, etc.) in the Windy City.

The last time it was around here was a 2005 production at the Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower in Chicago.

And finally, the gents who prove that less than perfect bodies do have a place in the spotlight are back with this hilarious hit Broadway musical, which opened Wednesday and runs through Sept. 21 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, in Lincolnshire, Ill., just north of Chicago.

Directed by and choreographed by the one and only Marc Robin, who has made magic so many times in the past at the Drury Lane theaters, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, as well as the Marriott, this new production of "The Full Monty" is, in one word, a blast."

Originally inspired by the 1997 Academy Award-winning film, this heart-warming comedy centers around Jerry, Dave and their buddies all desperately in need of money. So they hatch a scheme to put on a show when they see the enthusiasm the local gals have for the male strippers who have come to town. But Jerry, played with blue collar perfection by Chicago radio personality KC Lupp, realizes that they will have to offer something "different," like going "the full monty," the British expression for being completely naked.

Rounding out the cast of lugs is Joe Coots as Dave, Michael Gerhart as Harold, Milton Craig Nealy as Horse, Jason Shuffler as Ethan and Stephen Schellhardt as Malcolm.

Once again, here is another cast (like the case of last week's review of "Phantom" and Theatre at the Center) where we have top-notch talent reprising roles they've already received acclaim, and much deserved, I might add.

Both Coots and Nealy were part of the national tours of "The Full Monty."

And after just a few minutes of watching actress Summer Smart play Pam, Jerry's frustrated ex-wife, I was already impressed with her believable exchanges opposite Lupp on the subjects of "responsibilities" and "fatherhood."

Smart is the talented, young actress I praised in February when she starred as the lead in "Sweet Charity" at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

Also featured are Zach Ford as Teddy, Scott Alan Jones as Keno, Matthew Levy as Nathan, Kymberly Mellen as Vicki, Abby Mueller as Georgie and Tempe Thomas as Estelle, with Jeff Dumas, Karl Hamilton, James Earl Jones II, Robin Long, and Holly Stauder rounding out the cast.

And then, there's the show stopper. The woman with a voice like a volcano and talent that spills all over the stage like lava.

I first saw Chicago's Alene Robertson, who plays tough-as-nails piano player Jeanette, in September 2006, when she starred as Miss Hannigan in the national touring production of "Annie." I was impressed with her then and even more so now. She can deliver a line with punch like nobody's business. And seeing her with a cigarette in one hand and flask in the other just made her even more colorful than usual. This is the same gal who also wins raves for her performances as Mama Rose in "Gypsy" and Mother Superior in "Nunsense." After having seen the legendary Kaye Ballard play this role in the Broadway production of "Full Monty" when it hit Chicago in September 2001, I was skeptical that anyone could ever top such a portrayal. But Robertson does just that.

The artistic team for "The Full Monty," charged with the task of staging this show in the Marriott's theater-in-the-round landscape, earns their oats, led by Robin, with musical direction by Bill Busch and set design by Tom Ryan.

The costumes are by Nancy Missimi with lighting by Diane Ferry Williams.

Tickets are $45 to $50 and available with dinner packages. (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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