Footlight to 'take off' 'The Full Monty'

Yes, Broadway does steal ideas from the British, and "The Full Monty," opening Friday at the Footlight Players, is a glowing example.

The 2000 Tony-nominated musical was adapted by prolific veteran playwright Terrence McNally, with score by David Yazbek, from the 1997 British film of the same title.

The film was about the plight of out-of-work steelworkers who decide to put on a male strip show to raise badly needed money. However, the Americanized stage version tells of unemployed workers in Buffalo, N.Y.

"I was really surprised it was so easy to cast this show," says director Robert Ivey. "I thought it would be difficult to persuade six men to take off their clothes, but I was wrong."

However, Ivey is quick to point out that the split-second nudity is minor compared with the manner in which the story reveals how men can admit their insecurities and fears when they have faith in one another.

"All the men, of course, need money," Ivey says. "But especially desperate is Jerry Lukowski, who is behind on his child support payments and his ex-wife is planning to move away taking his son, Nathan, 12, who desperately wants to live with his father."

Jerry gets the idea for the strip club act when he recalls the time that several of the men's wives paid a male-stripper group, The Chippendales, to entertain for a local function. He reasons that if that large amount of money was paid for partially nude strippers, then what would be paid to watch those who take it all off or "go the full monty"? (The British term "the full monty" refers to a white-tie dress outfit complete with top hat, gloves and tails. Conversely, taking off the "full monty" suggests stripping totally.)

Taking the role of Jerry is Jamie Smithson, who says, "I really love my character because he wants to be seen as a responsible, grown man even though his ex-wife is always telling him to grow up, reminding him that 'Nathan needs a father not a playmate.' "

A 2001 theater graduate of the College of Charleston who earned a master's degree in acting from Rutgers University in 2004, Smithson also was in "Urinetown" at the Village Playhouse, among other local productions. Having seen "The Full Monty" on Broadway, the actor is especially enthusiastic about this role.

"We also see that the CEO of the steel mill, Harold, a tyrannical boss known as 'Horrible Hitler,' has been too afraid to tell his wife that he was laid off. He is especially worried because the two of them have been taking ballroom dancing lessons, so they can enjoy a planned trip to the islands," says Smithson. "We see that he feels just like we do. He was once something, and now he feels he's nothing."

Harold joins the group and teaches the men some choreography, using what he learned in his recent dance lessons.

Rob Maniscalco, who portrays Harold, lived in New York in the '90s and performed in more than 40 films, television and stage shows.

"I play the outsider, the authoritarian who is brought into the fold of this group of men who are all discovering their true selves," Maniscalco says. "In fact, in my own life, it's exactly where I am, as I start over after a recent divorce. And I'm so glad I'm in this very gutsy show with soaring music." "There are some funny, and some poignant moments," says Ivey. "One is when Dave, played by Paul Whitty, wants desperately to lose weight and wraps himself in Saran wrap, only to eat a candy bar at the same time."

Music director for "The Full Monty" is Ghadi Shayban with choreography by Ivey and sets by Richard Heffner. Performances are at the Footlight Players Theatre, 20 Queen St.