[NEohioPAL]UA's EJ Thomas Hall Goes THE FULL MONTY to bring Broadway to Akron

[reynolds,victoria]

Dear NeoPal Subscriber:

Considering the recent history of our region, this scenario isn't hard
to imagine: the closing of a steel manufacturing plant puts hundreds of
men out of work. For those who haven't found new jobs, the greater part
of their days are spent at local unemployment centers. Then, one man
brainstorms a business partnership that's sure to pull in the cash - but
he must recruit several colleagues to pull it off. Literally.=20

Enter six macho men with nothing left to lose but to lose everything in
Broadway's smash hit musical, THE FULL MONTY.

Making its Akron debut for eight performances during April 13 through
April 18 at The University of Akron's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall,
THE FULL MONTY is the raucous, heartfelt story of a circle of friends
whose desperate plan to put their lives back together requires that they
cast off their fears - and their clothes.=20

However, The Full Monty is NOT a musical about stripping. It's a story
about a group of individuals who overcome adversity by working together
as a team. It's about the journey the characters take together to turn
their lives around and make a success of themselves. On this journey,
these men become an extended family to each other - and the audience
falls in love with them for their courage and chutzpa.

Based on the record-breaking 1997 Academy Award-nominated hit of the
same name and nominated for ten 2001 Tony Awards(r) including Best
Musical, THE FULL MONTY features a new book by four-time Tony Award(r)
winning writer Terrence McNally, with music and lyrics by pop composer
David Yazbek.=20

"The show is about friendship and about being a parent," says McNally,
who adapted the screen hit for the stage and added his own unique brand
of American comedy to the story.=20

As the story opens, unemployed steelworker Jerry Lukowski learns that a
touring male strip show (whose dancers disrobe down to their G-strings)
is a big hit with the local ladies. Lukowski figures he and his buddies
could generate even more excitement and consequently make more money if
they put together their own act and bill themselves as "real men who go
"the full monty" - a term that, translated to the American equivalent,
would mean "the whole nine yards."

Fittingly, composer and lyricist Yazbek, winner of the 2001 Drama Desk
Award for his music equates THE FULL MONTY to "a sports story."

"It's not about stripping. It's a bunch of guys who get together and
form a team," Yazbek says. " There are ups and downs, and in the end,
they win."

Performance dates, times and ticket prices for THE FULL MONTY at E.J.
Thomas Hall are as follows:=20

Tues., April 13, 7:30 p.m., $55, $50, $40, $30=20
Wed., April 14, 7:30 p.m., $55, $50, $40, $30=20
Thurs., April 15, 7:30 p.m., $55, $50, $40, $30=20
Fri., April 16, 8 p.m., $60, $55, $45, $35=20
Sat., April 17, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., $60, $55, $45, $35=20
Sun., April 18, 2 p.m., $60, $55, $45, $35=20
Sun., April 18, 7:00 p.m., $55, $50, $40, $30=20

On sale now, tickets for THE FULL MONTY are available through the E.J.
Thomas Hall Ticket Office at 330.972.7570. Tickets can also be purchased
at all Ticketmaster Centers, via Charge-By-Phone at 330.945.9400
(Akron), 216.241.5555 (Cleveland), or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Special discounts are available for groups.

For more information about the performances at E.J. Thomas Hall, call
330.972.7570, or get details online at www.ejthomashall.com.

With kind regards,=20

Victoria Reynolds=20
Marketing and Media
University of Akron E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall,=20
Akron Civic Theatre and Lock 3 Live!=20
330.972-2724
vr8 at uakron.edu=20
www.ejthomashall.com