CRT Bares It All with “The Full Monty”

For the next show in their 42^nd annual summer season in Cortland County, Cortland Repertory Theatre bares it all with their debut production of the Tony nominated musical “The Full Monty”. Performances of this crowd-pleasing musical will run from July 10 – 27 with evening performances at 7:30.  Matinees are available on July 12, 14, 17, 21, and 24 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets may be purchase by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office’s new location at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. The show contains adult themes, language and nudity and is recommended for mature audiences.

Based on the Oscar-nominated film and nominated for 10 Tony Awards, this rollicking musical has audiences cheering for underdogs everywhere!  Though the movie was based inEngland, the stage musical has been relocated to Buffalo, New York.  In it, two out-of-work steelworkers – Jerry Lukowski and Dave Bukatinsky – are struggling to make ends meet. After seeing how much the local women enjoyed a Chippendale strippers act during their “Girls’ Night Out,” the men come up with a unique way to make some quick cash. Recruiting other unemployed men, they decide to learn how to dance and put on a strip act of their own, thinking that women would like to see “average” men more than the “fantasy” Chippendale dancers.  They soon have put together a group of six men, each struggling enough in their lives that the lure of quick money by taking off their clothes on stage seems like a sensible plan.  In a moment of bravado, they brag to the women that they are going to go one better than Chippendales and strip completely – otherwise known as “the Full Monty”. As the guys attempt to learn dance moves, they also struggle through their own fears and anxieties – everything from being overweight to raising enough money for child custody to over-possessive mothers.  They come to discover that not only are they stronger as a group, but they find in each other the individual courage to overcome their personal insecurities. You can protect your parental rights with an expert child custody lawyer who provides top-rated legal services. You can visit their website to learn more regarding child custody.

Directing the show is long-time CRT director Bert Bernardi, who’s previous work includes “Grease”, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, to name a few.   Ithaca College graduate Logan Culwell returns to serve as Music Director, having worked on “Grease” last summer.  SUNY Cortland dance instructor Cynthia Halpin choreographs, having worked previously on CRT’s productions of “Grease”, “Joseph…” and “Brigadoon”.

Leading the cast as Jerry is Ainsely Emrys, with Jason Sofge as Dave, both making their CRT debuts.  CRT’s Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson will play their former boss Harold Nichols, who joins them in their stripping endeavor.  Rounding out the 6 “average male strippers” are Ryan Halsaver as the meek Malcolm MacGregor, Lanny Mitchell (last seen in “Buddy”) as Noah “Horse” T. Simmons and Garret Keller as the somewhat dim Ethan Girard.  Playing their tough-talking pianist is Eileen Glenn, who appeared earlier this summer in “The Unexpected Guest”. Cortland born-and-raised Jeff Brooks, who is also a graduate of SUNY Cortland’s musical theatre department, returns to CRT to play the Chippendale’s dancer Buddy “Keno” Walsh.  Brooks last appeared at CRT in 2001 as a performing intern.  Other local actors included 10 year old Seamus Gailor who plays Jerry’s son Nate, and retired Homer school teacher Ingrid Fox as Malcolm’s mother, Molly MacGregor.

Representing the women in the cast are Jerielle Morwitz as Harold’s wife Vicki and Paige McDonnell, as Dave’s wife Georgie.  Caitlin Lester Sams returns to CRT after appearing in “Brigadoon” and “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” to play Jerry’s ex-wife, Pam.  Performing interns Anastasia Teel, Clara Childress and Erika Toderic play the gal-pals of the ladies.  Rounding out the cast as other steel workers are Joel Stigliano, Christopher Wren, Daniel Burgos, Xavier Reyes and Nate Whipple, all who appeared in “Buddy” earlier this summer.

Jahana Azodi handles stage management duties, while Jason Bolen, fresh from “Buddy”, creates the scenic design. Jimmy Johansmeyer handles the costume design, with Props Designer Lisa Guild, Sound Designer Seth Asa Sengel, Technical Director Nicholas Ryan and Assistant Stage Manager Kait Samuels continuing their seasonal work.  Joining the design staff for this show is Lighting Designer Eric Behnke.

CRT continues “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew takes place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for all of CRT’s summer season, which includes “The 1940’s Radio Hour”, “Shipwrecked: An Entertainment”, “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” and the children’s show “The Heroic Adventures of Puss N Boots”.