Cast Georgie Butatinski -- Sherry McCarty Buddy Keno Walsh -- Louis Rodriguez Reg Willoughby & Minister -- Rob Ford Jerry Lukowski -- Brett Nichols Dave Bukatinsky -- Brian Dungjen Malcolm MacGregor -- Kevin Weber Ethan Girard -- Rob Stow Nathan Lukowski -- Spenser Gage Tosiello Susan Kershey -- Joani Lackie-Callighan Joanie Lish -- Alissa Korson Estelle Genovese -- Tamara Deponio Pam Lukowski -- Lauren Snowday Teddy Slaughter -- Lars Kelto Harold Curtis -- Jeffrey Curtis Vicki Nichols -- Kelly Curtis Jeanette Burmeister & Molly MacGregor -- Diana Morgan Delores Jones -- Megan Kelto Noah "Horse" T. Simmons -- Don Cox Police Sargeant -- Rodney Woodring Tony Giordano -- Justin Korson Stripper & Gary Bonasorte -- Philip Krull

Production Director -- Michelle Dungjen Asst. Director -- Cinder Conlon Vocal Director -- Sara Quigley Producers -- June Neal, Jean Friday Choreographers -- Nicollle Girard, Kristina Godfrey, Jeremy Evans Stage Managers -- Robin Maloney, Dick Cieslik Asst. Stage Manager -- Denni Don Hunting Stage Crew -- Lesley Tye, Norman Maloney, Shakyra Eady, Lars Kelto Set Designer -- Brian Dungjen Set Painters & Set Furnishings -- Lori Wheldon, nancy Newman, Connie Roy, Patty Fabian, Amy Roth, Sharon Mack, Karon Dehmel Set Builders -- Al Thompson, Dick Cieslik, Brian Dungjen, Joe Rice, Jeff Kroger,  Thomas Webb, Ted Dungjen, Brett Nichols, & various cast members. Props -- Annie Goodman, Barbara Goodearl Lighting Design -- Phil Murphy Lighting Crew -- Kevin Parker, Bobbi Jo Suchney, Robert Kline, Bonnie Deigh, Jeanine Easterday Sound -- Gary Bolton, Elizabteh Stewart, Becca Walton, Don Kuehlhorn Costumes -- Kathy Verstraete Costume Crew -- Kristina Godfrey, Jeanine Easterday, Katie Slenk, Joanne Thomas Production Asst. -- Debra Mikowski House Manager -- Jeanne Ramick

Orchestra Music Director -- Sam Clark Rehearsal Pianist -- Paulette Parsons Keyboards -- Cindi Robertson, Tony Bero, Susan Snyder-Nunn Reeds -- Raleigh Newman, Deb McKeon, Cynthia VanMaanan Trumpet -- Jeff Kroger, Douglas Endicott, Mike Root Trombone -- George Bliss, Dave McKeon Guitar -- Scott Hamkins Bass -- Stu Ford Drums -- Marc Alderman Percussion -- Dede Alderman, Gerald Endres

THE FULL MONTY Rocks at OTP  BY Jill Beauchamp for the Record-Eagle
Life imitated art Friday, March 2 at the Old Town Playhouse’s opening of THE FULL MONTY. This musical is about a group of out-of-work steel workers in Buffalo who end up putting on a “one night only” male strip show, promising to show “the full monty”. When that night arrives, the audience has as many men as women in it. At the Old Town Playhouse, the opening crowd had as many men as women in it!
 I mention this because people may think this is like a “chick flick” – only for the women. However, men and women alike were thoroughly enjoying themselves watching this rollicking, and sometimes poignant, production. Director Michelle Dungjen has created a rousing evening of entertainment and inspiration.
Jerry Lukowski, played by Brett Nichols, is a divorced father who has been out of work for 18 months, and is behind in his child support payments. He conceives the idea of putting on the strip show to raise some quick cash, and convinces his overweight best friend Dave Bukatinsky, played by Brian Dungjen, to join him in the scheme. Brett and Brian are both very strong in their roles, in acting, singing and dancing. Each one develops his character fully, with humor and pathos in all the right spots.
Brett and Brian are hilarious in the musical number “Big Ass Rock”, which had the audience roaring with laughter. Brian sings “You Rule My World” with a rueful sincerity that is funny and touching, since the song is about Dave’s stomach. One of the highlights of the show is Brett’s beautiful singing of “Breeze Off the River”, a song that Jerry is singing about his son.
Jerry’s son, Nathan Lukowski, is played charmingly by Spenser Gage Tosiello. This eleven year old is fantastic in his acting, singing and dancing and does a remarkable job of keeping up with the big boys. I expect to see Spenser in many more productions at the Old Town Playhouse and beyond.
Jerry and Dave soon get Malcolm MacGregor, played by Kevin Weber, to join their project. Kevin creates a character that you love and pity, displaying the biggest changes with his character. My favorite part of the show was Kevin’s rendition of “You Walk With Me”, which Malcolm sings at his mother’s funeral.
The next man to join the group is Harold Nichols, played by Jeffrey Curtis. Harold was in management at the steel mill, but he also lost his job, but only six months ago. Harold and his wife live the “good life”, and Harold has not told his wife that he is unemployed, so she is still spending money they don’t have. Jeffrey gives depth and humor to his character, and does a wonderful job in his duet with Brian, “You Rule My World”, with his part of the song referring to Harold’s wife.
The fifth addition to these “male strippers” is Noah “Horse” T. Simmons, played by Don Cox. Noah auditions for the other four men with a song called “Big Black Man.” Don wowed the audience with this number, and won everyone’s heart. Don’s character may be big, but he’s also big-hearted.
Finally, Ethan Girard, played by Rob Stow, shows up to complete the group, and they all begin rehearsing. Ethan wants to dance on the walls like Donald O’Connor and there is a running gag with Ethan attempting this throughout the rest of the show. It makes for some moments that look painful for Rob, but keeps the audience rooting for this character. Rob’s Ethan is high energy and delightful.
Jeanette Burmeister, played by Diana Morgan, is the pianist for the six men. Diana is tremendous in the role, with her accent, her singing and her spunkiness. “Jeanette’s Showbiz Number” is a great second act opener.
Also making their characters memorable are Sherry McCarty and Kelly Curtis, as Georgie Bukatinski (Dave’s wife) and Vicki Nichols (Harold’s expensive wife). When Sherry and Kelly sing the reprise “You Rule My World”, their voices are both glorious.
There are eleven other terrific performers in this show, too numerous to give detailed kudos to all of them, but they all add flair and spark to this production. One special note needs to be made about director Michelle Dungjen, who did an incredible job as Pam Lukowski, Jerry’s ex-wife, since Michelle stepped in at the last moment due to a family emergency for the original actress.
Under the direction of Sam Clark, sixteen musicians provide a sometimes rocking and sometimes flowing accompaniment for the performers. The band was excellent, making unfamiliar music sound beautiful to my ears.
 The set, designed by Brian Dungjen, provides a fitting backdrop for action that takes place in a variety of locations. The main set keeps the steel mill always in our mind, but allows the numerous settings to quickly be established. It is functional and practical, much like a steel mill is.
Since the musical takes place in the present, many of the costumes are unremarkable. However, there are lots and lots of costume changes, adding up to a great deal of costumes, and Kathy Verstraete has once again worked her magic, making sure each and every costume contributes to telling the story and helping the actor play the character. THE FULL MONTY is more about these six men baring their souls than it is about them baring their bodies, so it is an uplifting and thoughtful story that all adults will enjoy. I recommend it whole-heartedly.
THE FULL MONTY will continue with performances through March 24 at the Old Town Playhouse. Show times are at 8:00 pm except for Sunday matinees which are at 3:00 pm. For tickets, call the OTP box office at 231-947-2210, or see www-oldtownplayhouse.com.
(Jill Beauchamp holds a BS from EMU, and an MA in Theatre from MSU. She teaches theatre and speech classes at Suttons Bay High School, and has directed nearly 40 plays and musicals. She is co-founder of Riverside Shakespeare, LLC which presents Shakespeare in the park in the summers.)