In the news again...yes, it's becasue of my indecent exposure.

Baring their emotions in 'Full Monty'Relationships are key to Rep production, but so is that famous finale

By NANCIANN CHERRYBLADE STAFF WRITER
Let's get the big question out of the way first. Yes, the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of The Full Monty will include the famous finale.
"It's not, after all, called 'The Partial Monty,' said Jim Norman, who directs the show opening tomorrow in the Tenth Street theater.
But there's much more to the plot than men taking their clothes off, Norman said.
"To me, it's all about the relationships: Jerry with his ex-wife and son and with the guys. The stripper aspect, that's what brings them together. The camaraderie really makes the story."

Based on the 1997 British movie that became a surprise hit, The Full Monty was reworked by for the stage by Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman) and David Yazbek (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), and it opened a 770-performance run on Broadway in 2000. It earned nine Tony nominations in 2001, but it had the bad luck to be up against a juggernaut called The Producers.

In their adaptation, McNally and Yazbek moved the action from Sheffield, England, to Buffalo, N.Y. The rest of the story is pretty much the same.

Six unemployed steelworkers are out of work and desperate for money and dignity.

Jerry is about to lose contact with his son because he can't pay child support.
Dave is convinced that no one, even his wife, could love him because he's a fat loser. Malcolm has to take care of his mother and is becoming suicidal. Harold won't tell his shopaholic wife that he's been out of work for several months. Horse and Ethan round out the six, and they have their problems, too.

After seeing the reaction of the female audience to a Chippendales-style strip show at a club in town, Jerry figures it's easy money, and he recruits his pals to come up with such an act. But when ticket sales are slow, he blurts out that the guys will be doing "the full monty," stripping down to the nude.
As ticket sales go through the roof, the guys begin having second thoughts.
"Our cast is terrific," Norman said. "I've been [directing shows] for 20 years, and this is probably the most talented cast I've ever worked with."

Zach Lahey plays Jerry, Samanthia Rousos is his ex-wife, Pam, and Yianni Papadimos is his son, Nathan.

Jeffrey King and Carol Vendemo are reprising the roles of Dave and his wife, Georgie, having played them in the Croswell Opera House's production of The Full Monty earlier this season.

Jason Langlois and Dana Pilrose play Harold and his wife, Vicki. Matt Bowland plays Malcolm, Charles Walker is Horse, and Matt Oster is Ethan.

Given the strong language and ever-increasing skimpiness of the costumes, the Rep is urging parents to use discretion about bringing children to the show. If it were a movie, Norman said, he'd rate it an R.

"The Full Monty" opens tomorrow and runs through May 13 in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St. Performances are at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and May 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12; 2:30 and 7 p.m. May 6; and 2:30 p.m. May 13. Tickets are $20. Information: 419-243-9277.

Random Blade Snippet...like an odd or an end.

The Toledo Repertoire Theatre presents Terrence McNally’s The Full Monty April 27-May 13 at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 Tenth St.

Six steel workers from Buffalo are unemployed and in despair until they stumble upon a Chippendale-like show that’s popular with local women. They decide to give it a shot and go the full monty — go nude, that is.

The production is scheduled at 8 p.m. April 27, 28, May 4, 5, and 10-12, and at 2:30 p.m. May 6 and 13. Tickets are $20 from the box office, 419-243-9277.

You'll never guess what I found under the cushion of the couch... an update.

Wow...what long few months it has been. I'm so sorry that I left you here by yourself while I was out in the field. Let's do a brief recap of the major points that lead up to today, shall we?

End of January- Finished up the first half of "Are We There Yet?" for Mel's Dinner theater. At this point the show was starting to pick up steam, but it became difficult for the others because of the small houses we had for the show. One of the nights we performed for five people, one of which was my wife. That was our opening night.

February- A three week end of show run. Our houses started to sell and we had over sixty for our final performance, which was very pleasing. The second to last night we had the pleasure of enjoying stuffed chicken breast with wild rice, delicious prime rib, and an assortment of fresh vegtables. Then we hit a nasty cold streak where it was down to about 8 degrees, which taught me the importance of burnt outlets and heat tape on above ground exposed pipes. After going without water for a week, with the help of my lovely wife, we installed heat tape to the main waterline. The next day it broke and flooded under the house and into the neighbors yards. After that, the line that lead up to the hot water heater froze solid, so we installed another tape to make sure that would not happen again. One of the nights I was without water I spent the night at a friends house, only to wake up with one of their pipes breaking. Then the following day I went into work and we had a pipe freeze and break there. Valentines day was ok. I cannot remember what we did, but being me, I know it was romantic. The show finished and I auditioned for the Full Monty at the Rep. I have been cast as Dave, the role I played when we did the show up at the Croswell.

March- This is the party month. We had Kori's birthday, then our anniversary, followed by my birthday. This lead to some really weird scheduling as part of the merger that bank I work at is going through. First there was no vacation until April. Then I scored a week before the OSU spring break. I tried to change it and it was cancelled. So then I took off the day before our anniversary. We had a 3 day weekend, and then I worked three days and took off for a midweek vacation. We went to my mom's and saw my sister who is due to have a baby in May of June. Then end of March brought me news that I will be moved from the office I am currently at in Temperance to the office in Maybee Michigan. Also, I did not work at Kroger the entire month due to rehearsals.

April up until today- I worked in Maybee for a Monday and it took me an hour to get to rehearsal in Toledo. That sucked. And it will continue to suck. The offer they gave me was not very detailed, so I asked about 6 questions reguarding my new position. I have yet to hear back, but I expect it will take a few days. Rehearsals seem to be getting better when people show up. Easter was awesome. Korinne and I joined our friend to cook the Church Easter breakfast. We fed over three hundred people. Service was cool, and pastor Sparks preached the resurrection of Christ as Thomas from the New Testament. It was sweet.

Today- On the way to work I saw that I was going to gt stopped by a train, so I pulled a u-ie to go another way, and nearly missed coming into contact with a sheriff. I made it to work, and we shipped out a bunch of loose coin. Now I'm here thinking of the good times we used to have. How come you don't visit me anymore? I'll keep you posted on the upcoming events, along with the dates for the show.

If you didn't know, I'm mostly on that myspace thing. If you want to catch me there, where your odds are better that you will, it's http://www.myspace.com/mordcha

Are We There Yet?- Blade Article 1/18/07

Article published Thursday, January 18, 2007'Are We There Yet?' arrives tonight in Maumee
From left, rear, Jeffrey King and Stephanie Dennehy, and front, from left, Joy Lemke and Larry Farley in Are We There Yet? NANCIANN CHERRYBLADE STAFF WRITER
MEL's Dinner Theatre in Maumee has chosen a musical revue for the third production of its inaugural season, and director Dave DeChristopher said that it may seem familiar even to people who have never seen it.
Opening tonight in the ballroom of the Maumee Elks Club will be Are We There Yet? by James Hindman, Ray Roderick, and Cheryl Stern, with music by John Galudini. The show is like the next step after I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
In fact, that's where it got its inspiration.
One of the cast members of the original I Love You … , which generally is about the dating game, wrote Are We There Yet? as a celebration of the American family, DeChristopher said. It opens with a family road trip that features Mom, Dad, two children, and the inevitable question that gave the show its name.
Accompanied by pianist Gayle McClellan, Stephanie Dennehy, Larry Farley, Jeff King, and Joy Lemke present a collection of songs, dances, and sketch comedy that "span the spectrum of sights and sounds of modern family life," DeChristopher said.
"It's so much fun. It's one of those pieces that's much better on the stage than on the page."
And it's good for all ages.
Presented in the ballroom of the Maumee Elks Lodge, the show will be preceded by a prime rib buffet dinner, with dessert served at intermission.
MEL's Dinner Theatre presents "Are We There Yet?" tonight through Feb. 24 in the Maumee Elks Club, 137 West Wayne St., Maumee. Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner is served at 6:30; the performance begins at 8. For the rest of the month, shows are scheduled Jan. 23, 25, and 29. Tickets are $35 for the buffet and show; $20 for show only with dessert at intermission. Information: 419-893-7272.

Hi. It's been a month or so. I missed you.

Just wanted to hop on and say hello. And let you know that after I did the Full Monty at the Croswell this Fall, Wheaties was interested in what I had to offer. So I went in for a photo shoot and they really enjoyed my presence and style. They didn't think I was that funny, but I thought I was hilarious. Anyways, after all of the shoot was over, then gave me some proofs to look over. What I am about to show you could get me in trouble, so please, don't tell anybody about this photo. Let me know what you think!