North Shore Music Theatre Presents 'The Full Monty' - A Striptacular Comedy!

It’s time to drop everything and get this show on the road.

North Shore Music Theatre presents The Full Monty based on the 1997 film. Six unemployed steelworkers decide to become male strippers for extra cash. In this heartwarming and hilarious comedy, the men learn more of what they bargained for as they celebrate body positivity and challenge societal norms.

I had the most amazing time seeing The Full Monty, a show that has several unexpected moments. This comical performance is more than its premise. In a world where body positivity and masculinity have been challenged by society, NSMT’s The Full Monty presents an entertaining mix of humor, heart, and powerful social commentary.

A huge applause goes out to Jared Zirilli, James Fairchild, Brendan Jacob Smith, Christopher deProphetis, Tim Connell, and Bernard Dotson for their bold and comical enactments. They were nothing short of fantastic. Each actor brought a unique charm to their role and conveyed moving emotional depth to their characters.

Male relationships are not given enough praise and representation in the media. Through their joking sense of humor, the men help one another feel more confident, both physically and mentally. That’s what I liked most about their relationship. Their connection makes audiences care and brings them into their world.

In theater, there’s no such thing as a small role. NSMT’s The Full Monty has a terrific ensemble. The entire ensemble built genuine relationships with each other and had the best time dancing on the stage.

Kathy St. George is a riot as Jeanette Burmeister! Audiences burst out laughing at her clever deadpan deliveries. Patrick Naughton is terrific as Jerry’s young son, Nathan (also played by Quinn Murphy in other performances).

Since I saw the movie first, I didn’t know what songs to expect. Conducted by a live orchestra, songs include, ‘It’s a Woman’s World,’ ‘You Rule My World,’ ‘Big Black Man,’ and the funniest of the evening, ‘Big-Ass Rock.’

No show is ever put on its feet alone. The choreography is excellent. The tech crew is busy at work with light cues, scene transitions, and the signature strip show at the performance’s climax.

The strip show is the most anticipated moment of the evening. It was executed well, both in technical achievements and by the actors. Audiences had the best time during this scene, clapping, hooting, and belting out in laughter throughout the show.

The Full Monty is an important story, specifically for male audiences. This is a story about body positivity from a male perspective. This is a subject that has not been discussed enough. Breaking free from societal expectations, The Full Monty opens the door for men to come forward and celebrate the beauty of diverse body types and encourages self-acceptance.

The message of The Full Monty is not just about physical appearance; it's about embracing one's true self, flaws and all. Gerry McIntyre masterfully brings these themes to life on stage. We are all beautiful. McIntyre urges audiences to love ourselves as we are.

Believe me, I had my doubts about the story based on its raunchy premise, but there is so much more packed under the layers of The Full Monty than one thinks. I watched the movie before seeing the show. It’s a good idea to watch the movie first so you understand the premise.

Fair warning, there is nudity and mature content throughout. It’s not a show for young audiences. The Full Monty performs on the NSMT stage until October 8 so drop everything and buy a ticket to see this hilarious performance.