Laughs, human drama and, yes, male nudity
Fans of live theater in the Highlands will need to choose: Sit close to the stage or as far from it as possible when the Philipstown Depot Theatre unveils its version of the comedy The Full Monty on Oct. 25.
While the musical will no doubt generate laughs, it may produce giggles and winks, most notably during its trademark, full-male-nudity scene.
The Depot production parallels the Tony-award-nominated Broadway version mounted in 2000 and adapted from the popular 1997 British film of the same name. The adaptation places the characters in Buffalo rather than Sheffield, England.
The plot is farfetched but emerges from economic realities and human challenges that are believable: A steel mill is closing, and its workers face increasing debt, overdue child support and a loss of self-worth.
The workers have an epiphany when they clandestinely discover how much their wives enjoy the view at an all-male strip club. They envision a way to make quick money — steelworkers meet the Chippendales.
The scheme exposes them physically and emotionally. They must overcome individual fears, self-consciousness and biases. They bond during the journey, giving each of them the strength to do what they must to survive.
Amy Dul, the Depot executive director, says a group from the theater had seen The Full Monty performed in Yonkers eight years ago. They thought it would be a great production for the Garrison’s Landing space but “we weren’t sure we had enough men to pull it off.”
In January, Christine Bokhour, a Cold Spring resident who had directed The Full Monty at the North Star Theatre in Newton, New Jersey, agreed to take on the local production.
She organized auditions, “and the men showed up!” Dul says.
The Full Cast and Crew
Georgie (Jessie Alagna*)
Joanie (Jaz Astwood)
Man (Conor Austin)
Vicki (Allison Couture*)
Dolores (Gretchen Craig)
Horse (Randy Donaldson)
Teddy (Mitch Dul)
Gary (Andy Dupree)
Harold (David Filipiak)
Jeanette (Jean Mazilli)
Malcolm (Alex McCully)
Jerry (Jake McGuire)
Pam (Mary Mechalakos)
Ethan (Dante Nastasi)
Marty (George Petkanas)
Keno (Carlos Ponton)
Nathan (Oliver/Elliot Scherich)
Susan (Laura Seaman)
Dave (Todd Smith)
Reg (Sterling Swann)
Estelle (Lidjia Slokenbergs)*With permission from Actors Equity Association
Director/ Choreographer: Christine Bokhour
Music Director: Todd Hulet
Set Designer: JoshBob Rose
Lighting Design: David Aab
Artistic Director: Alice Jankell
Executive Director: Amy Dul
Lead Carpenter: George Petkanos
Stage Manager: Carrie Ford
Costumes: Alina Gorney
Publicity/Social Media: Ned Rauch
Light/Sound Tech: Thai Dodge
House Manager: Julie Heckert
Bokhour said she relates to the storyline. “I grew up in the same kind of town in Ohio,” she says. “We were supposed to get a steel mill, but it never happened.” She recalls experiencing many of the problems faced by the characters, including seeing her dad laid off from his job. “I find the play so satisfyingly human,” she says.
When directing a comedy, she says, “you and the actors feel a rhythm, but you don’t know if it’s right until the audience gets there and the laughs fall into place.”
Bokhour admits that nudity “in our little theater” may raise eyebrows. “The intimacy of this space has made people extra curious about how that’s all going to go down.”
In the end, though, the play isn’t about the nudity but rather “victory,” she says. “The stripping is fun, but you’re rooting for these guys to win — you’re just so excited that these average, working-class guys achieve their goal.”
Jake McGuire, who lives in Cold Spring, will portray the factory workers’ leader, Jerry Lukowski. “I spent about 20 years in the theater, but for the last 10 I’ve worked in film and TV,” he says when asked what drew him to the role. “This is my first musical in 16 years; I’ve been itching to get back on stage.”
McGuire says not working during the Screen Actors Guild strike in 2023 took a financial toll on his family. “I can relate to the characters’ forced unemployment, drawing off the dole and not making ends meet.”
McGuire, who is on stage for 90 percent of the musical, said stamina and learning and remembering his lines concerned him more than the nude scene, though he admits that’s the first thing people ask about. “So many theatrical productions deal with things like suicide, addiction and mental health — things that are a lot more shocking and disturbing than some naked guys.”
The Philipstown Depot Theatre is located at 10 Garrison’s Landing. The Full Monty opens Oct. 25 and runs weekends through Nov. 10. Tickets are $35 ($30 for students and seniors) at philipstowndepottheatre.org. The musical was written by David Yazbek and Terrence McNally.
