The musical “The Full Monty” is one heck of a pleasant surprise.

While you may be primed for this show based on seeing the movie of the same name, you’ll be surprised that the stage show presents characters with depth, scenes full of human emotion, and true-life situations that audiences can understand. You’re taken through the anguish of being unemployed, the true test of a couple’s love for one another, the pain of divorce and the hopelessness of depression when someone attempts suicide.

You’ll also be surprised that with such serious subjects, this is one of the funniest contemporary musicals around. There’s clearly fun musical numbers, reflective ballads, hilarious sight gags and absurd situations.

Did I forget to mention the half-naked men on stage attempting to become male strippers? While that’s the hook that may get you to see “The Full Monty,” be assured that the show is much more than a simple gimmick.

With a book by Tony Award winner Terrence McNally (“Ragtime” and “Kiss of the Spiderwoman”) and music and lyrics by composer David Yazbek (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”), you’ll find no surprise in the story line.

Six steelworkers in Buffalo, N.Y., become unemployed and desperately need to find a way to earn some money, gain self-confidence and get their lives running smoothly again. Jerry (Jeremy Kushnier) has survived a divorce, can’t find work and the legal system threatens to take the shared custody of his only son (Zach Frietag).

Dave (Michael Aaron Lindner) copes with being overweight and a marriage to Georgie (Charis Leos) that has lost its sparkle.

Harold (Ed Romanoff) tries to maintain his successful image for his wife, Vicki, (Susan Cella) hiding the fact that he, too, has been unemployed for months.

The story is rounded out by Malcolm (Chuck Ragsdale) who reaches the bottom of despair, Horse (C.E. Smith) who copes with the shortcomings in his life, and Ethan (Gregg Goodbrod) who gets to strip with the other guys because of his special talent.

At Jerry’s insistence, this unlikely group decides to perform as male strippers for one evening, an effort that will earn them loads of cash and renew their self-respect.

The humor arises from seeing six regular guys try to become experienced male strippers complete with bumps, grinds and flashy moves. Jeanette, a piano accompanist full of caustic one-liners (played brilliantly by Connie Shafer), adds to the fun of their transformation.

The music is memorable ranging from a rollicking “It’s A Woman’s World” adeptly performed by Charis Leos, Tiffany Borelli, Marie Pressman and Joyce A. Presutti, to a more ballad-like “Breeze Off the River,” by Kushnier.

You’ll be in hysterics with the number, “Big-Ass Rock,” a tune dedicated to the fact that friends always help out friends – even when it comes to helping them commit suicide.

This is a high powered cast. Kushnier, who has a slew of Broadway and recording credits, gives a high octane performance. The rest of the male ensemble is as entertaining a group as you’ll find at MSMT. Lindner, Ragsdale and Goodbrod are masters of timing. Romanoff, is a master of character acting. And Smith, making his MSMT debut, is a one-man show with great vocals and footwork.

As for the nudity in the show, be prepared for an occasional glimpse of a man’s derriere at front center stage. Don’t be surprised when the men practice their dance routine in only socks and underwear. The visuals get even more revealing when the entourage dances with their red sequined thongs.

As for the question on every readers mind, “Do they actually do the ‘full monty’ – every bit of clothing off by the end of the show?”

Yes they do, but I’d be breaking the theater reviewer’s code of ethics if I “reveal” how they do it. (Pun intended!)

If you’ve seen the movie “The Full Monty,” leave all memory of it “behind.” (Another pun intended!) The stage musical directed by Charles Abbott is far better and a rare and surprising treat.

Dan Marois is a writer and actor and owner of Mystery for Hire and Main Street Entertainment, a Maine-based theater troupe. He can be reached at dmarois@fairpoint.net

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