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34 t h e c o a s t a l j o u r n a l June 11, 2015

by Tamara LillyCoastal Journal contributor

BRUNSWICK — I never enter the Maine State Music Theater alone. Always, skipping alongside, in her best Gunne Sax dress, is my nine-year-old self, whose first theater experience was as an audience member of the 1976 Brunswick Music The-ater production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” That day, she was hooked - on theater, and on that magical space, where her family held sea-son tickets for decades.

I worried a bit that my tenden-cy to reminisce might get in the way of reviewing Maine State Music Theatre’s 2015 season ob-jectively. I’m always looking for Bernard Wurger and KK Preece. I needn’t have worried.

“The Full Monty” is a fun, naughty, playful, heartfelt piece of feel-good theater. This show is about the characters and they take center stage.

Peter Matthew Smith was well cast and embodies “Everyman”

in the lead role of Jerry Lukows-ki. There are stereotypical themes as he struggles to find work and risks losing custody of his son to

his ex-wife and her new “perfect” man.

Jerry is the team leader and instigator of the plot – he’s

hot-headed and rash and a little two dimensional for much of the show – until a wrenching scene with his son tucked in on a pull-out sofa – such a convincing mo-ment of choking and tearing up. I give extra credit for real tears on

demand. Audiences have favorites. Es-

pecially character actors they have seen before. Like Wurger’s first appearance in “Kiss Me Kate” or “Guys and Dolls,” when

REVIEW: ‘The Full Monty’ full of surprisesas MSMT’s season opener

Please see FULL MONTY on PAGE 35

Courtesy photoCharis Leo as Georgie Bukatinsky leads the ladies in a number from Maine State Music Theatre’s “The Full Monty.”

June 11, 2015 t h e c o a s t a l j o u r n a l 35

they step onstage – in character – there is a moment of unspoken greeting between the actor and the audience.

It’s a moment of recognizing and greeting an old friend, a split second before the actor rolls on with the latest character and after a few moments of external and internal tittering, the audience suspends their disbelief, and em-braces this new role.

Charis Leos, in her 17th MSMT production has that rela-tionship in a reprisal of the role of Georgie, which she also played at MSMT in 2006. She is the quint-essential sassy, spirited, bawdy, loving wife to Dave Bukatinsky, played by Jayson Elliott.

Dave is another audience fa-

vorite, the classic best friend to Jerry, the loving husband to Georgie, an actor who plays to the audience without upstaging his castmates and who is adept at physical humor - from dancing, to thrusts to thong-twirling.

Leos and Elliott are comfort-able and believable as a couple and add depth to the occasional moments of pathos in this pri-marily upbeat comedy.

Another audience favorite was Chuck Ragsdale in a reprisal of his 2006 role. His portrayal of Malcolm as the sweet, awkward, unintentionally amusing night watchman was endearing and you could sense the audience pulling for him.

It’s a cast full of strong perfor-mances. Kingsley Leggs brings a depth of experience and talent that is palpable in his portrayal of “Horse” Simmons. Jonathan

Rayson and Laurie Wells do a great job of portraying their indi-vidual characters, as well a sym-biotic portrayal of their fun and unique “coupleness” as Harold and Vicki Nichols.

Rounding out the Hot Metal dancers is Seth Danner as Bud-dy (Keno) Walsh. His is a light and comedic role that adds to the layers of humor, especially in the group scenes. He has a repeti-tive bit which is a little wearing, but it’s a show mechanic and in a show that intersperses realism with a stylized set and characters, it’s to be expected.

Sandy Rosenberg, as the rhine-stone-studded vaudevillian piano player stole the show. In the best sense.

My issues with the show were few, but worth noting.

During the opening number and a dance studio number, I

found the music (from the tal-ented orchestra) to be a bit loud, which made cast lines difficult to hear clearly.

I had a difficulty suspending my disbelief in a scene when the women are interacting together in the bathroom – Georgie was right on as a steel worker’s wife on the town in jeans and a blouse, but there was something incongruous with the younger dolled up wom-en who seemed more dressed for clubbing with 20 somethings. It was as if a choice could be made in the style of dress and age por-trayal for this group, but instead two choices were merged. It was one of the few places that pulled me out of the story and into cri-tique.

During this scene, there was an unfortunate bit of blocking where Dave and Jerry are hiding in a stall and Dave, who I’m sure

was reacting to all that he was hearing, could not be seen by the stage-right audience.

I haven’t talked about music. I’m not an aficionado – so if someone is off key – I may not be able to tell you. If someone was obviously the weak link, I would. Not the case. It’s MSMT – they hire wonderfully talented singers, dancers and musicians. And they did not disappoint.

There is a lot of fantastic cho-reography, the most fun of which was a scene where the guys and their “strip” choreography real-ly clicked. We, as the audience, were all in. As we watched them struggle and it started to come together, we were championing them.

It’s not perfect. It’s live theater. Things happen. There were lights up when they shouldn’t have

Full MontyFROM PAGE 34

Please see FULL MONTY on PAGE 46

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Puzzleanswerson page 47

been, occasional sound drops, doors closing slower than others, glimpses of folks backstage.

It’s not your father’s MSMT – language and subject matter and costuming are all quite dif-ferent from what might have been deemed acceptable or en-couraged 20 years ago – but even in the Wurger/Preece days, there was innuendo and winks and asides to the audience. Time marches on and things that were

hinted at are just out there now. And with “The Full Monty’s” premise, REALLY out there.

As I looked around the room at the many folks from teens to those in their 90s, I didn’t see anyone who was not enjoying the show, and most were laughing heartily.

It’s a long evening of entertain-ment - 3 hours, plus from start to finish - but I was surprised to dis-cover that – which means I was not watching the time. And when the lights went off at the end, it left me (and nine-year-old me)

wanting more. “The Full Monty” runs through

June 20 in the historic Pickard Theater at Bowdoin College. Ticket prices vary. Call 725-8769 or visit msmt.org to reserve. Tamara Lilly is a Woolwich native and Studio Theatre of Bath board member with over 30 years experi-ence in community theater. She has performed, teched, produced, direct-ed, taught and worked at theaters in Texas, Pennsylvania and Maine. She can be reached at: tamara.b.lilly@gmail.com

Full MontyFROM PAGE 35

These are the horoscopes for the third week of June. HS156300

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20Aries, assess a situation before acting. Only then can you have

a clear view and map out an appropriate course of action. Find a friend who can help with your

plan.TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, relationships are challeng-ing but well worth the effort. Nur-ture an existing relationship and

do your best to see things through the other’s perspective.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, a hectic week makes it hard to keep track of all the

things you need to get done in the coming days. Focusing on being

organized will go a long way.CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, solutions to a difficult problem become more clear when you take a break and find a new perspective. This break is just

what you need to crack that egg.LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, others are looking to you for advice, so do your best to provide thoughtful suggestions. Your point of view and demeanor make oth-ers very trusting of your advice.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22The only person who can help you this week is you, Virgo. Be opti-mistic and trust your instincts as you tackle the tasks at hand over

the next several days.LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23

Happy times are on the horizon, Libra. You just have to make it through a few more obstacles before you can reach the finish

line and relax.SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, when it rains it pours, but this week there is not a cloud in

sight. Enjoy the next several days as everything seems to be going your way and turning up roses.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21Sagittarius, provide some support and encouragement when a friend comes to you for help in the com-ing days. Just being there to listen

might be all your friend needs.CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20

Things are completely out of your hands this week, Capricorn. While you thought you would feel help-less, the experience may actually prove liberating for you instead.AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you have some time off coming up and you can’t wait to make the most of this downtime. Start making your list of planned

excursions.PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20

A helping hand will help you get out of a sticky situation, Pisces.

You are lucky to have this person on your side.

Horoscopes