‘Monty’ is full of fun, poignancy

Published 2:01 pm Thursday, November 4, 2010

I was surprised and amused to read the letter in The Herald on Wednesday, criticizing the Village Theatre’s production of “The Full Monty,” currently appearing at the Everett Performing Arts Center through Nov. 21. (“Hope theater stays family friendly.”)

Like the author of that letter, my wife and I have been long-time season ticket holders. However, unlike the letter’s author, we found the play to be a faithful and delightful adaptation of the original 1997 British comedy film. The musical version that played on Broadway between 2000 and 2002, thoughtfully and sensitively translates to the U.S. the film’s themes of depression, suicide and the pressures faced by unemployed men and women in working-class families when the jobs dry up. These themes are relevant again given today’s economy, and they are handled in a way that’s both sad and outrageously funny at the same time.

Over the years we have expected and always received brilliant, high quality entertainment from the Village Theatre. A good example is “Million Dollar Quartet,” which kicked off the 2007-2008 season and is now playing the Nederlander Theater on Broadway.

Though I wouldn’t recommend taking young children to see “The Full Monty,” I respond to the charge that it’s not “family friendly” by saying my 83-year-old mother loved it in Issaquah as did I, my wife and 33-year-old daughter here in Everett. Our family found it poignant, hilarious and very, very friendly.

Timothy Knopf

Everett