A Total GO SEE EVENT!

FROM THE PRODUCERS WHO BROUGHT YOU URINETOWN THE MUSICAL
THE FULL MONTY
LIVE AT THE GRAND
3 WEEKS ONLY! OCTOBER 2 – 20, 2007

LIMITED TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Book by Terrence McNally Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek
Calgary, AB – THE FULL MONTY, the runaway Broadway hit musical based on the internationally popular 1997 British film makes its Calgary debut Live at The Grand (608-1st SW) October 2 through October 20, 2007. Produced by Ground Zero Theatre, Hit & Myth productions and Directed by Kevin McKendrick, limited tickets for THE FULL MONTY are on sale now at The Grand Box Office at (403) 205-2922 or on-line at http://www.atthegrand.ca/
The movie -- about desperate, unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield, England, who bare it all for cash -- became one of the surprise sensations of British film history. And the stage musical version, relocated to Buffalo, N.Y., took both Broadway and London by storm.
The secret of THE FULL MONTY phenomenon is that it is not really about stripping at all. What it reveals is humanity: It's the funny and heart-warming story of a group of down-and-out friends who reclaim their manhood and self-respect by overcoming adversity, working as a team and achieving an unlikely victory.
THE FULL MONTY was re-imagined for the stage by Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally. His musical collaborator, David Yazbek, is not exactly a household name; his pre-"Monty" work is well known: he has written gags for David Letterman, and composed the theme song of the educational TV hit "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego."
The resulting show has attracted some of the most enthusiastic theatrical reviews of the last decade. A critique on Capital Radio concluded, “THE FULL MONTY re-defines and sets the benchmark for musicals in the 21st century. It's as sharp as a razor, witty and contains music and lyrics that put most other musicals straight out to pasture. And here's a rarity for a musical -- the characters are completely three-dimensional. You really DO care what happens to each and every one of them. This show's an absolute sensation."
What's On gushed that the "musical comedy version of the biggest ever box office grossing British movie retains the heart and soul of the film without attempting to copy it. Terrence McNally's excellent book takes six blue-collar workers and their families and friends on a journey from economic scrap heap to self-discovery. David Yazbek's score maps the character-based drama with some stand out numbers."
USA Today called THE FULL MONTY "one of the most entertaining and exhilarating productions you're likely to see." And Jay Reiner, writing in the Hollywood Reporter, called the "Monty" musical "one of the most exhilarating musical comedy treats to be seen in years. David Yazbek's witty songs have an edgy, hip quality. . . And McNally's book is a comic gem. The show has so many highlights and show stoppers, one loses count."
Composer and lyricist Yazbek comments on the thunderous audience reaction that has dependably followed every performance, "I wish I had applause like that after every show I do with my band. I've never seen anything like it in the theater -- in the musical theater. It's like a rock concert. It's got this undeniably strong arc, like a sports story -- a group of guys get together, start a team, have some trouble getting it together -- magnificent seven or seven samurai style -- and then they overcome the odds and win. And you can't deny it's compelling -- you're going to be interested from beginning to end."
The Calgary cast of THE FULL MONTY includes (in order of appearance) Esther Purves-Smith (Georgie Bukatinsky); Mitchell Verigin (Buddy “Keno” Walsh); Joel Cochrane (Reg Willoughby); Carson Nattras (Jerry Lukowski); Martin Murphy (Dave Bukatinsky); Daniel Mallett (Malcolm MacGregor); Tyler Rive (Ethan Girard); Christopher Lorincz (Nathan Lukowski); Ashley Bjorndal (Susan Hershey); Leora Godden (Joanie Lish); Ksenia Thurgood (Estelle Genovese); Jill Belland (Pam Lukowski); Patrick MacEachern (Teddy Slaughter); Valerie Pearson (Molly MacGregor and Jeannette Burmeister); Doug McKeag (Harold Nichols); Elinor Holt (Vicki Nichols); Orville Cameron (Noah “Horse” T. Simmons) and Jesse Wheeler (Minister).
THE FULL MONTY journey is brought to Calgary by Terrence McNally (Book); David Yazbek (Music and Lyrics); Joel Cochrane of Hit & Myth Productions (Producer); Ryan Luhning of Ground Zero Theatre (Artistic Production Manager); Kevin McKendrick (Director); Stacie Harrison (Assistant Director); Darold Roles (Choreographer); Randy Mueller (Musical Director); Douglas McCullough (Set Design); Cimmeron Meyer (Lighting Design); Brian Craik (Costume Design); Tracy Hopper (Costume Assistant); Brian Forlin (Hair Design); Luke Dahlgren (Sound Design); Denise C. Clark (Technical Production Manager); Derek Storbakken (Technical Production Manager); Johanne Deleeuw (Stage Manager); Amy Lippold (Assistant Stage Manager) and Ruby Dawn Eustaquio (Assistant Stage Manager).
THE FULL MONTY will play Tuesday, October 2 through Saturday, October 20 Live at The Grand (608-1st Street SW). Performances are Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm with matinees Saturdays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $60 to $40 (plus taxes and service charges) and are on sale now at The Grand Theatre Box Office at (403) 205-2922 or on-line at http://www.atthegrand.ca/ Student, Senior and Group Discounts are available.