American Musical Theater of San Jose: the Full Monty September 23, 2008

Based on a British sleeper hit movie about a group of men banding together to make money by taking off all of their clothes, this American musical is set in Buffalo with depressed steelworkers now learning to dance and strut their stuff. David Yazbek's music and lyrics add a contemporary soundtrack to Terrence McNally's book as Jerry recruits a ragtag assembly of men desperate enough for cash that they're willing to strip down to nakedness -- hence the show's title. As some of the men grapple with a sense of self esteem tied to being breadwinners and taking care of the women in their lives, the show touches on issues of masculinity, but this is mainly a light and fun adventure that brings the Academy Award-nominated film to life on-stage while audiences anticipate a bachelorette party-type thrill.