Milwaukee, Wis. (Sept. 2, 2021) — Skylight Music Theatre today announced the cast and creative team for the 2021-22 season opener, The Full Monty, running September 24 – October 17, 2021. Performances will take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company.
The smash Broadway hit The Full Monty marks Skylight’s return to live, in-person theatre. This hilarious, ten-time Tony Award-nominated musical will be produced at Skylight for the first time. James Gray, known for his work on Broadway and television, directs and choreographs the production.
A Hit Comedy that Reveals a “Show-All” Cast
The Full Monty follows an unlikely band of out-of-work steelworkers who decide to turn their lives around by baring it all for the greater good. The irresistible humor and songs lead up to one of the most anticipated final moments in Broadway musical history.
Based on the 1997 film of the same name, The Full Monty features music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit) and book by Terrence McNally (Ragtime). The score, which ranges from tender ballads to driving, funk-inspired grooves, showcases a catchy blend of pop, Broadway, and a big horn band sound.
“The Full Monty is as funny (and revealing) as it is touching,” said Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Unger. “It centers on salt-of-the-earth characters who turn to desperate and creative measures when they lose their jobs. It explores many kinds of love stories, but the heart of the show is the love between a father and a son – and the lengths one must go to learn what is most important in life.”
James Gray will make his Skylight debut as director and choreographer. Gray, who has worked on such Broadway shows as The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Bullets Over Broadway; said, “This show is filled with so much joy, humor and heart. It feels like the perfect way to welcome audiences back to the theatre.”
Music Director for The Full Monty is David Bonofiglio, who also conducts the 7-piece band.
The British film of The Full Monty achieved international critical success and received 1997 Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay and won for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. The stage adaptation moved the setting from Sheffield, England to Buffalo, New York and premiered in 2000 at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, directed by Jack O’Brien. The cast featured such Broadway stars as André De Shields (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Marcus Neville (Kinky Boots), and two-time Tony Award nominee Patrick Wilson. It transferred to Broadway later that year and received ten 2001 Tony Award nominations.
The New York Times called The Full Monty “the rare, aggressive crowd pleaser that you don’t have to apologize for liking.” NY Post praised it as “a one-of-a-kind Broadway musical…the most daring, yet successful Broadway adaptation of a movie script.” Talkin’ Broadway applauded the “sharply poignant, hilarious… bright up-beat jazz-tinged score” and Broadway World said The Full Monty is “genuinely uplifting.”
Health & Safety Protocols
Skylight Music Theatre has joined other Milwaukee performing arts organizations in requiring proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 72 hours of performance for all audience members ages 12 and up. In addition, Skylight requires audiences to be masked at all times while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Skylight follows local government, CDC and State of Wisconsin guidelines in consultation with area doctors. Skylight’s staff is fully vaccinated and requires casts, musicians and crews to be vaccinated. Guidelines are evolving frequently, and protocols may change. For up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/health.
Skylight Premiere
THE FULL MONTY
Sept. 24 – Oct. 17, 2021
Book by Terrence McNally
Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek
Directed and Choreographed by James Gray
Based on the 1997 film
This hilarious, smash Broadway hit was nominated for ten Tony Awards. An unlikely band of out-of-work steelworkers
decide to turn their lives around by baring it all for the greater good. Full of heart and irresistible humor, The Full Monty leads up to one of the most anticipated final moments in Broadway history!
This production contains adult themes, language, and very brief nudity. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
THE FULL MONTY CREATIVE TEAM
Director and Choreographer – James Gray***
Music Director – David Bonofiglio
Scenic Designer – Erik D. Diaz**
Costume Designer – Shima Orans
Lighting Designer – Noele Stollmack**
Sound Designer – Tye Hunt Fitzgerald
Production Stage Manager – Seth Kieser*
*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**The Scenic and Lighting designers are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829.
*** The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
THE FULL MONTY CAST (in order of speaking)
Georgie Bukatinsky – Karen Estrada*
Buddy “Keno” Walsh – Grant Latus
Reg Willoughby – Shawn Holmes
Marty/Tony Giordano – Nathan Danzer
Jerry Lukowski – Dan DeLuca*
Dave Bukatinsky – Nathan Marinan
Malcolm MacGregor – Joey Chelius
Ethan Girard – Jordan Arrasmith
Nathan Lukowski – Abram Nelson
Susan Hershey – Stephanie Staszak
Joanie Lish – Brandite Reed
Estelle Genovese – SaraLynn Evenson
Pam Lukowski – Christie Burgess
Teddy Slaughter – Travis Ulrich
Molly MacGregor – Jackey Boelkow
Vicki Nichols – Janet Metz*
Harold Nichols – Zach Thomas Woods
Jeanette Burmeister – Jan Neuberger*
Noah “Horse” T. Simmons – Lee Palmer*
Nathan Standby – Edward Owczarski
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association
THE FULL MONTY BAND
Greg Garcia, trumpet; Kyle Samuelson, trombone; Curt Hanrahan, woodwinds; Steve Lewandowski, guitar; Mike Ritter, bass; Michael “Ding” Lorenz, drums, David Bonofiglio, piano conductor.
CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
James Gray (Director) staged the Emmy Award-winning Mel Brooks – The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and choreographed the movie Humor Me starring Elliot Gould. Gray directed and choreographed Peg O’ My Heart, the Musical, choreographed Oliver! at Goodspeed Opera House, and Annie with Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba. Gray is the longtime associate director/choreographer to Broadway’s Susan Stroman, working on Mel Brooks’ The Producers and Young Frankenstein; Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway; Harold Prince’s Prince of Broadway; and more.
David Bonofiglio (Music Director) holds a BFA in piano performance from Cardinal Stritch University. Selected credits as musical director: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Oklahoma, Urinetown, and Pippin for Skylight Music Theatre; Little by Little, Scrooge in Rouge, A Cudahy Caroler Christmas, and Jesus Christ Superstar for In Tandem Theatre; Sunday in the Park with George for Windfall Theatre. As assistant music director: A Christmas Carol for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. As cover piano/conductor: Once on This Island and La Cage Aux Folles for Skylight Music Theatre.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Jordan Arrasmith (Ethan Girard) performed the role of Crutchie in Skylight Music Theatre’s 2019 production of Newsies. Previous credits include Theatre: Sky in Mamma Mia, and Mike Costa in A Chorus Line at Titusville Playhouse, Tommy Boy/Spot in Newsies at Timberlake Playhouse, and Ralph Malph in Happy Days at the Palace Theater in The Dells. TV/Film: Caleb in “Subsurface” (SoFi Productions).
Jackey Boelkow (Female Ensemble – Molly) holds her BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and is currently a touring company member for Kohl’s Wild Theater. In 2017 she was selected to study and perform with the Prague Shakespeare Company in Prague, Czech Republic, where she played Margaret in the European premiere of The Death of Kings: Seize the Crown and Adrianna in The Comedy of Errors. Other credits: Outskirts Theatre Co.’s Carrie (Chris), and Sunset Playhouse’s The Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy).
Christie Burgess (Pam Lukowski) debuted at Skylight as “Peep Bo” in Hot Mikado and appeared in Skylight’s 2020 Songbook and KidsWrites tours and the 2020 Skylight Sings: A Holiday Special. Other area roles include: Fantine in Les Misérables, Demeter in CATS, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hope in Urinetown, Regina in The Little Foxes, and Diana/Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor.
Joey Chelius (Malcolm MacGregor) graduated in 2018 with a BFA-Acting at University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He was a 2020-2021 Emerging Professional Resident actor at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. At Skylight he was RJ in the virtual staged concert reading of the new Paul Williams’ musical, Fortunate Sons, and played Jack Worthing in the virtual musical, Being Earnest. He portrayed Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th St. with the Forte Theatre Company, and the guitarist in Hedwig and the Angry Inch with All In productions.
Nathan Danzer (Male Ensemble – Marty/Tony) makes his Skylight debut. Past roles include Giovanni in The Glance and Kilroy in Camino Real at Off The Wall. He appeared as Dr. Bullard in Lobotomy the Musical at The Alchemist, John in The Importance of Being Earnest at Summerstage, and Van in Dog Sees God at Splinter Group.
Dan DeLuca* (Jerry Lukowski) originated the role of Jack Kelly on the First National Tour of Disney’s Newsies and has developed new musicals alongside legendary composers including Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken and Martin Charnin. Television: The Code (CBS). Regional: Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Goodspeed Opera House, John in Meet Me in St Louis at The Muny, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and Charlie in Brigadoon at Pittsburgh CLO.
Karen Estrada* (Georgie Bukatinsky) is an actor, director and theater educator living in Milwaukee. She was previously seen at Skylight in Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the MOT collaboration of Ruddigore, last year’s digital offering Being Earnest and eight seasons of Kidswrites. She has worked with Chamber Theater, First Stage, Next Act, Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee Opera Theatre and is a three-time alumna of the Disney on Classic tour of Japan and Taiwan.
SaraLynn Evenson (Female Ensemble – Estelle) appeared at Skylight as Zombina in Zombies from the Beyond and Kate in Oklahoma! Favorite select credits include Dance Capt./Tessi in A Christmas Carol with NTC Prod/National Tour, Pennywise in Urinetown at June Havoc Theatre, Witch in Into the Woods, Velma in Chicago, Martha in The Secret Garden at Weathervane Playhouse, Hera in Hephaestus at Music Theatre Madison, Jan in Yeast Nation at the NY Fringe Workshop at PACE, and Laguerta in Dex! at the Elektra Theatre.
Shawn Holmes (Male Ensemble – Reg) has appeared in shows throughout Wisconsin, including Skylight Music Theatre, Florentine Opera, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Middleton Players Theatre, Black Arts MKE and Four Seasons Theatre. Favorite roles: Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime (winner of best actor in a musical – Broadway World), Sebastian the Crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Jacob in La Cage aux Folles at Skylight (winner Best Supporting Actor in a musical – Footlight Awards).
Grant Latus (Buddy “Keno” Walsh) is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he studied Musical Theatre Performance. Notable roles at UW-La Crosse Toland Theatre include Laurie in Little Women and Romeo in Romeo & Juliet. He played Jack Kelly in Newsies at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts. A Milwaukee native, this role marks his Skylight and professional theatre debut.
Nathan Marinan (Dave Bukatinsky) is a Midwest transplant from Texas, Las Vegas, and South Korea. At Skylight Music Theatre his roles include Lady Augusta Bracknell in Being Earnest, Billy Boy Bill in Urinetown, Bamatabois/Joly in Les Misérables, and Princeton/Rod Understudy in Avenue Q. Other Milwaukee appearances: In Tandem Theatre (The Fabulous Lipitones, Carnival, Scrooge In Rouge, Earnest In Love), Boulevard Theatre (Mothers and Sons), Theatrical Tendencies (The Normal Heart), Sunset Playhouse (Noises Off, Into the Woods), and Lake Country Playhouse (Parade, Little Women).
Janet Metz* (Vicki Nichols) has performed on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof, Marie Christine (cast recording), On the Town, Once Upon a Mattress (recording). Off-Broadway credits include Stars of David (recording), Bingo (Drama League nomination, recording), Falsettoland (recording), I Love You, You’re Perfect…, Big, Hurrah at Last, Lucky Stiff (recording), I Love NY (Bistro Award, recording). Tours include the Narrator in Joseph… opposite Donny Osmond (platinum recording), The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber opposite Michael Crawford, and Stop the World… opposite Anthony Newley.
Abram Nelson (Nathan Lukowski) is a freshman at Whitefish Bay High school. He played Les in Newsies at Skylight Music Theatre. At First Stage he played Charles-Wallace in Wrinkle in Time, Charlie in Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical, and Stink in Judy Moody and Stink and the Mad Mad Mad Mad Treasure Hunt.
Jan Neuberger* (Jeanette Burmeister) is a veteran actor, with outings all over the map—including alongside Howard Keel at Milwaukee’s Melody Top. She was an original cast member of Broadway’s Wicked, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Big, and the 1974 revival of Gypsy. Recent credits include Billy Elliot, Boeing Boeing, Informed Consent, Sister Act, Tartuffe, The Life and Death of Richard II, On Golden Pond, Holiday Inn and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. TV Credits include Hallmark’s “True Love Blooms” and “A Taste of Love.”
Edward Owczarski (Nathan Standby) returns to Skylight after making his debut as Les in Newsies. He has previously been seen at the Milwaukee Rep as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, Teddy in Best Christmas Pageant Ever-The Musical with First Stage, and Messenger in Optimist Theatre’s Pericles Project.
Lee Palmer* (Noah “Horse” T. Simmons) appeared at Skylight in Newsies and Once on This Island. Select Wisconsin credits: A Murder is Announced, Ghost The Musical at Peninsula Players; Race, The Exonerated at Next Act Theatre; To Kill a Mockingbird at Milwaukee Repertory Theater; A Few Good Men at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Regional highlights include The Whipping Man (Fulton Theatre); Jitney (Congo Square Theatre – Jeff Award nomination, Black Excellence Award winner); Two Trains Running (Goodman Theatre). TV/Film: “Empire,” “Chicago Fire,” Spike Lee’s CHI-RAQ.
Brandite Reed (Female Ensemble – Joanie, Minister) studied classical and jazz music at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. She was a part of Black Arts MKE’s 2018 and 2019 production of Black Nativity at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. She also appeared in Three Sisters Named Flo in Skylight’s Cabaret series and will be seen in Little Shop of Horrors at Skylight this year. Reed is currently a Teaching Artist at Black Arts MKE, First Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Pink Umbrella Theater.
Stephanie Staszak (Female Ensemble – Susan) was most recently seen at Skylight as Abby Willet in the staged reading of Fortunate Sons, Gwendolyn in the virtual filming of Being Earnest and as Ensemble/Understudy in Oklahoma! and Newsies. Staszak has performed with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, All In Productions and In Tandem, and played Heidi in [title of show] for the inaugural production of Miami Theatre Works in Florida. She starred alongside four adorable puppets in the award-winning short film “ANGELAAA” in the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival.
Travis Ulrich (Male Ensemble – Teddy) is a recent graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University’s class of 2020 with a BFA in Music Theatre. He appeared as Judd in Oklahoma! At Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork, Mont.; Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at the People’s Bank Theatre in Marietta, Ohio; and Josh in If/Then with Milwaukee’s Greendale Community Theatre. His original demo, Aces In A City of Gold, is available on YouTube.
Zach Thomas Woods (Harold Nichols) holds a BFA in acting from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Professional Milwaukee credits include Les Misérables, Hair, and Urinetown with Skylight Music Theatre, Great Expectations with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Laughter on the 23rd Floor with Next Act Theatre, and Spookley the Square Pumpkin, Big Fish, and Anatole with First Stage. When not onstage, Woods serves as the Manager of Artistic Direction for Kohl’s Wild Theater at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.
*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association
BOX OFFICE
Single tickets and subscriptions are on sale now. Subscribers get the best seats at the best prices. Subscriptions can be purchased through the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office. Call (414) 291-7800 or visit 158 N. Broadway, Monday – Saturday, from noon – 6 p.m. or email tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org.
• Please let the Box Office know if accessible seating is needed, or if patrons will have a wheelchair or walker.
• Box Office hours are Mon. – Sat. Noon – 6 p.m. The Box Office window is also open two hours prior to performances.
• Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more by calling (414) 299-4972 or emailing emilyf@skylightmusictheatre.org
• If you have ADA needs please contact the Box Office (414) 291-7800 or tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org.
• Skylight offers a risk-free guarantee to exchange, credit, or refund tickets for any canceled performances.
• For more information visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org or email info@skylightmusictheatre.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
Skylight Insights. In-depth discussions with directors and special guests take place one hour before every Wednesday and Sunday performance.
ASL Performance. The Full Monty will be interpreted in American Sign Language on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 P.M. To purchase tickets for this performance, call Skylight Music Theatre’s Box Office at (414) 291-7800 and mention ASL performance for seating in the appropriate section.
For more information visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org, email info@skylightmusictheatre.org or call the Box Office at (414) 291-7800.
Skylight Bar & Bistro
The Skylight Bar & Bistro is located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center. Check back for updates on food service.
PARKING
Purchase $5 parking vouchers from the Broadway Theatre Center Box office for use in the Historic Third Ward parking garage at 212 N. Milwaukee Street (one block east and one block north). Vouchers are valid between 5 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. for evening performances. Matinee vouchers are valid 12-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Not valid for Wednesday matinees. Voucher sales stop 30 minutes before showtime and are not available during intermission. Advance purchase recommended so that vouchers can be mailed with tickets. No refunds.
Meter parking is available on the street (free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays).
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Up-to-date information at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/about/health-and-safety-protocols.
SPONSORS
Skylight Music Theatre’s 2021-2022 Season is sponsored by the United Performing Arts Fund, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and CAMPAC, the Milwaukee County Arts Fund.
