THEATER REVIEW - 'The Full Monty'

THEATER REVIEW - ‘The Full Monty’ - Produced by: John W. Engeman Theater – Northport  

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur 

No one seems to know the exact origin of the British term ‘The Full Monty,’ but we’re certainly aware of what it defines in modern parlance. It means ‘whole hog’ … ‘all the way’ … ‘the whole enchilada’ … ‘the works!’

Accordingly, when Terrence McNally wrote the book for David Yazbeck’s musical about six destitute steel workers determined to raise money by putting on the mother of all male strip shows, he wisely stuck with the tantalizing title of the 1997 film from which the production is derived … and New York voyeurs showed up in droves to take a peek.

As it turns out, the show, which opened at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre in October of 2000, had more going for it than just a suggestive moniker. Indeed, the musical garnered ten Tony nominations … a dozen Drama Desk nods … and ran for 800-plus performances. Not since ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ had such a provocative ‘come-on’ lit up The Great White Way.

Okay … maybe theatergoers in the mid-Long Island area don’t constitute quite the same naughty audience that flocked to sold-out performances of ‘The Full Monty’ on Broadway for two years. Still, it was apparent from last weekend’s Engeman opening of the risqué musical, that we locals can hardly be labeled a bunch of prudes. The titters, belly laughs, and catcalls were all there, and they rocked the jammed playhouse from curtain to curtain.

The concept of this show is a good one: It is built around six men’s convictions that their wives’ mania following a Chipendales performance, would be nothing compared to what the out-of-work sextet could generate … if they staged a similar beefcake production, but topped it off with … get the digitalis … a Full Monty climactic number!

Boyoboy!

Of course, there are some things even legitimate theater can’t get away with (apologies for the ‘dangling preposition’), but Director Keith Andrews keeps his six leading men in check just barely (there I go again) enough to dissuade the Northport cops down the street from raiding the joint.

The half-dozen would-be ‘eye candy’ exhibitionists turn-in some surprisingly dazzling, and dramatically empathetic performances along the way, and the actors deserve to be mentioned here. They are: Brent Diroma (as Jerry Lukowski), Ryan Dunkin (Dave Bukatinsky), Peter Hilton (Harold Nichols), Spencer Glass (Malcolm MacGregor), Noah Bridgestock (Ethan Girard), and Milton Nealy (playing ‘Horse’ Simmons).

‘The Full Monty’ contains obvious overtones of Mel Brooks’ classic ‘The Producers’ so it’s hardly coincidental that Richard T. Dolce, The Engeman’s Producing Artistic Director, tapped veteran dance arranger Antoinette DiPietropolo … who choreographed ‘Producers’ … to fill that vital function in this show. Comedy in dance must be an extremely difficult effect to achieve (Donald O’Connor and Danny Kaye were the masters, for my money) but DiPietropolo’s work is right up there with the best we’re likely to see in any genre. She created perfect synchronization throughout between her amateur ‘artistes’ and Musical Director Andrew Haile Austin.

‘The Full Monty’ has scheduled a fairly long run (it closes on March 5^th) but the suggestion here is that tickets ($71.- $76.) be purchased well in advance. This is one of those productions that will almost surely fall into the ‘sleeper’ category … a show you definitely won’t want to have heard about from your neighbor once it’s over. That would be a shame! You’d lose out on show-stopping numbers by Nealy (‘Horse’) and Diane Findlay (who excels as piano-playing ‘Jeanette Burmeister’). 

As for likely sources of the expression ‘Full Monty’ … most attribute the term in some way to British Field Marshal ‘Monty’ Montgomery … others favor English clothier Montague Burton … and so forth. It’s my theory, however, that the phrase stems from betting the entire pot in the old card game, ‘Monte.’ At any rate, don’t miss this bang-up show. It’s got some of the funniest sight gags you’ll ever see.

Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of a dozen novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s recently completed thriller, THE SOUTHWICK INCIDENT, is due next month. It involves a radicalized Yale student and his CIA pursuers. Mr. Ladouceur’s revealing website is www.JebsBooks.com

Smithtown Resident Kathy Albrecht Goes To D.C. For Inauguration

Smithtown resident Kathleen Albrecht is in Washington D.C. for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump and the inaugural festivities. Kathy has promised to send photos and provide some comments to the events.

Smithtown Historical Society's First Annual Polar Bear Plunge

Annual Polar Bear Plunge 

(click on photos to enlarge)

On Sunday, January 8th, 2017 the Smithtown Historical Society hosted its first annual Polar Bear plunge at Long Beach of Smithtown. This event attracted almost 2 dozen young people who took a plunge into the icy waters of the Atlantic. The temperature hovered around 14 degrees and with the blustery wind it felt 10 degrees below zero. The water temperature felt warmer than the ambient air and it felt more comfortable in the water than out. Even the hardiest souls could only stay for a quick dip before running out of the water seeking the comfort of warm blankets and hot chocolate. 

Among the daring plungers were Historical Society Executive Director Marianne Howard, Board Secretary Kathryn Tusa, Board Member Tom Hancock, and six staff members from the Smithtown Library. Mrs. Howard said, “This was my first time participating in a Polar Bear Plunge, and what better way to do that than the day after a blizzard!  Thank you to the brave souls who plunged with me today in support of the Smithtown Historical Society.  I could not be happier that they feel the Society is worth taking part in such a tradition and I hope they will join us again in 2018 along with many others!” 

We would like to thank our partner: Bill Professional Painting LLC for their support in organizing this event. The plunge was a huge success, and it encourages us to have more fun filled events throughout the year.

A special thanks to the Nissequogue Fire Department who were instrumental in making this event a success. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Town of Smithtown Parks Department, and the Smithtown Historical Society’s Board of Trustees, Staff, and Volunteers.

The Smithtown Historical Society works to preserve the historic properties in our town and we seek to expand and improve upon programs for both adults and children while sharing Smithtown’s rich history. All these activities require funding, and we have been fortunate enough to have the support of our wonderful friends and neighbors in Smithtown. Our community, which plays a vital role in supporting our cause and through the years, has helped build our Society.

"No Repeal Without A Plan" Protesters March Outside Of Congressman Zeldin's Office

January 12, 2017 Approximately thirty people protested outside Congressman Lee Zeldin’s Patchogue office Thursday morning. The protest was arranged by 1199 SEIU and L.I. Progressive Coalition to object to Congressman Zeldin’s support for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare. The protesters want Congressman Zeldin to commit to not voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act before a replacement plan is in place. In Congressman Zeldin’s district 23,100  residents are covered under Obamacare. 

The Congress has been sending mixed messages about whether Obamacare will be repealed immediately without a replacement plan in place. Members of the public have been urging their representatives to maintain the parts of the AFA that prevent insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions and to allow young adults to stay on their parents plan until they are 26 years old. 

Congressman Zeldin’s office released this statement about the AFA:  

“Obamacare has been nothing short of a disaster for countless hardworking families and our economy. The system has failed and it’s only going to get worse. Obamacare has resulted in higher premiums, higher deductibles, lost doctors, and cancelled policies, among many other challenges. Businesses on Long Island and across the nation have been forced  to reduce their workforce, cut hours, and even go out of business. Even worse, roughly one third of the counties in the U.S. have only one choice within the exchange, meaning there is no competition in the marketplace whatsoever. With the collapse of Health Republic in New York, which left over 200,000 individuals and businesses in New York without insurance coverage unexpectedly, as well as the collapse of dozens of other co-ops across the country, it has become increasingly clear that this law is deeply flawed.

In order to fix healthcare in America, we must repeal this flawed law, stabilize skyrocketing premiums and provide relief to hardworking Americans. There should be a stable transition to a new reality that will work better and make healthcare costs affordable, relieving taxpayers of the financial burdens under this failed policy, and give patients more choices, while still continuing to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent’s policy. This is a multi-step process which is expected to begin this week. While moving to patient centered healthcare that gives Americans access to quality affordable care, I, along with my Republican colleagues, remain committed to providing relief to those struggling with the effects of Obamacare.”

At the march there were six people supporting Congressman Zeldin’s position on repealing the ACA. The sense of the three people interviewed by Smithtown Matters was that the ACA was a failure. It was considered too expensive. One man who declined to give his name was angry that $800 billion was taken from medicare to fund the program. A woman named Kim was opposed to ACA because of the power it gave to the insurance companies, who, she said, were interested in profits at the expense of the patient. Kim went on to say that too many physicians felt pressure to order unnecessary tests and pressure to see more patients meant less time with each patient.

Republicans in the U.S. Congress and President Elect Donald Trump have emphasized their intention to dismantle the ACA. Eunic Ortiz, director of communications for SEIU 1199 said the union will continue to speak out.

Smiles Everywhere As Suffolk County Executive Bellone Talks Sewers In Kings Park

Sewers in downtown Smithtown and Kings Park may soon be a realitiy according to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.  The two men held a press conference at the Kings Park train station Friday announcing progress in the development of sewers in the town.  Recent events have given new excitement to the possiblity that downtown areas will once again become viable places for living, shopping and social activities.

Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio receives ceremonial check from Suffolk County Executive Steve BeelineThis week NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $40 million in state funding to help the Town of Smithtown with sewer projects. Earlier this year, Suffolk County Executive Bellone awarded the Town of Smithtown $200,000 to advance the “Revitalizing Kings Park Downtown” action plan. At the Kings Park press conference Bellone presented Vecchio with a ceremonial $200,000 check to which the long time supervisor laughed and said “where’s the money”. 

Both Bellone and Vecchio thanked Governor Cuomo for his recent announcement that $40 million is heading Smithtown’s way to help with sewer projects. The concept of sewers in Kings Park is not new, there is already a sewer system in Kings Park but infrastructure improvements are necessary to allow for growth in the downtown area.  

Director of Planning David Flynn, KP Civic Ass. Pres. Sean Lehmann, former Town Assessor Greg Hild, Environmental Planner Allyson Murray and former Director of Planning Frank DeRubeisThe KP Chamber of Commerce and KP Civic Association have a long history of advocating for improvements in Kings Park’s downtown, they recognized that sewers were integral to economic viability. In 2015 County Executive Belone told the organizations that is would be up to the community to decide if they wanted sewers and if it did, he would help find the resources to make it happen.  The Kings Park Civic Association and the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, with this clear mandate, started to work on developing a plan for downtown Kings Park. Vision L I was hired and the Revitalizing Downtown Kings Park Action Plan 2016 was developed. The plan included the input and support from the community as the county executive required.

Mr. Bellone, true to his word, worked with Supervisor Vecchio and Governor Cuomo to acquire the $40 million for downtown Kings Park and downtown Smithtown.

KP residents Dorothy Chanin and Gayle Hessel both are members of Kings Park Civic AssociationCounty Executive Bellone credited Supervisor Vecchio’s vision. He spoke of a tour he took with Supervisor Vecchio in which the Supervisor explained how the lack of sewers hindered growth in the downtown areas. Bellone recognized the work of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and Kings Park Civic Association who worked with the community in bringing about a cogent plan for Kings Park’s future. The County Executive spoke about how necessary it is to get the community involved. He thanked Tony Tanzi, president of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, Sean Lehmann, President and Linda Henninger, V.P. of the Civic Association.

Linda Henninger spoke to the audience about her initial interaction with County Executive Bellone and how he kept telling her not to worry about the funding and that funding was the easy part. “The hard part, Steve Bellone told Linda, is getting the community involved.” She recalled how he shook her hand and even though she had doubts, the County Executive proved he was true to his word.

County Exec. Bellone presented Supervisor Vecchio with a draft plan for the sewer project. In a conversation with the supervisor after the press conference, he stated that he supported the sewering projects and added that there was still work to be done. No doubt the long time supervisor, who has a legacy of promoting government effieciencies and a cleaner environment, sees the the benefit of the sewers that come with state and county funding.