Up & Coming Weekly

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2009 UCW 27 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Full Monty Bares All On the CFRT Stage by JANICE BURTON If the Full Monty doesn't shake up the audience at the Cape Fear Regional Theater, nothing will. On opening night, I, along with much of the female staff of Up & Coming Weekly, made my way to the theatre to see the show. Speaking for myself, I was exceptionally tired. Suzy Patterson, our office manager, had a semi-concussion, and the rest of the staff was reeling from the after affects of the Best of Fayetteville. None of use were really "up" for the event, but within minutes of the play's opening, we had a major attitude adjustment. I don't care who you are, no matter how old, how conservative, how traditional you are, you can't go to this play and not laugh your butt off. And yes, I stand by that remark. The Full Monty, a musical, challenges some traditional roles: the role of men as the bread winner and women as the keeper of the family. It challenges the roles of fathers and children. It challenges sexual roles, and yes, for the ultra- conservative who read the paper, it addresses a homosexual relationship. (For the member of the audience who freaked out over this idea during the play — grow up or don't go to anymore plays.) And it calls into question how far you would go to protect what they love the most. Would you bare it all for your child? That's exactly what happens here. A group of unemployed Buffalo workers are faced with losing what means the most to them. They have a chance to save it all, by baring it all, and when I say all, I mean all. The play drags you into their lives, it makes you feel what they are feeling; the desperation, the depres- sion. And then it let's you see the way they deal with the issues that are weigh- ing them down. When I initially spoke with the cast of the show, they talked about the way the play brings you into these men's lives. They were right on the money. We feel for Jerry who is seeing his child won over by his ex-wife's new boyfriend. For those of us who have struggled with weight issues, we understand what Dave is going through, and his reluctance to not only take it off in public, but also in private. Anyone who has ever wondered how they are going to pay the bills will get Harold, a man who thinks he will lose his wife if he can't buy her expensive things. People will understand Malcom, a man who doesn't fit in anywhere. These men are people we know. Some of them might even be us. At this point, you're probably wondering what's so funny about the situations I just talked about. The situations aren't funny, but the way the musical deals with them, and the way the characters deal with them are. They aren't just funny, they are hysterical. And I can't tell you about it, because it will ruin it. You've got to go see it for yourself. High marks are given to the entire cast, but in particular kudos go to Tommy Foster (Jerry) in the show. Foster, original- ly from Concord, N.C., made Jerry loveable. His voice is divine and his comedic timing is spot on. Also in line for kudos is Dane Agostinis who played Dave. His deadpan delivery of one-liners was just short of comic genius. And, I would be remiss not to mention Patricia Cucco. Cucco has graced the CFRT stage a number of times, often playing little Southern ladies, which is pretty funny because she is a native New Yorker. Playing a retired musician, Cucco came close to stealing the show. The rest of the cast also did a stellar job, and director Ron Hutchins has a lot to smile about, as did everyone in the audience. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting the ending, and no, I'm not telling you how it ended, other than the show lives up to its name. If you want to know, you've got to go. Keep in mind this is adult comedy, there is cursing and adult relationships are laid out on the table. The Sunday matinee crowd might find the show a little racy, but then again, they'll probably laugh their butts off as well. Go see The Full Monty. It's one show you aren't going to want to miss.

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